Gettin' Off / Outlook

This two-fer assembles a pair of rare Bob Porter-produced LPs issued in 1973 by the short-lived Eastbound label. Best known for his supporting work on Rusty Bryant's Prestige dates Fire-Eater and Wildfire, Bill Mason proves himself a formidable leader with his lone solo session, the aptly titled jazz-funk outing Gettin' Off. Recorded with the estimable talents of drummer Idris Muhammad and tenor Hubert Laws, the album's physicality is astounding. Mason is a superbly soulful Hammond organist, conjuring spiraling, spellbinding grooves that seem to grow deeper and more relentless with each successive track. He's also a fine composer. Originals like "Mister Jay" and the scorching title cut stand tall alongside covers highlighted by Al Green's immortal "Let's Stay Together." After catching Porter's attention via Charles Earland dates including Living Black!, trumpeter Gary Chandler finally earned his shot as leader with Outlook, and don't let the absence of subsequent efforts fool you — this is one of the true lost classics of jazz-funk, a Molotov cocktail lit with a burning joint. Cut with an all-star supporting cast including guitarist Cornell Dupree, organist Ceasar Frazier, tenorist Harold Ousley and drummer Idris Muhammad, the record is less a collection of songs than one long, steamroller groove — crate diggers and DJs have coveted "Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)" for years, but in truth damn near every second of Outlook demands consideration as a sample.