Waiting for the Boogaloo Sisters

The mid-Michigan based trio Organissimo is not your garden variety, grandfather's organ combo. Yes, they pay allegiance to Jimmy Smith and the forefathers of the B-3, but these musicians, particularly guitarist Joe Gloss and organist Jim Alfredson, are younger and have the audience of their generation in mind. Easy comparisons to Medeski, Martin & Wood, Soulive, and the Brothers Groove can be made. The difference maker is veteran drummer Randy Marsh, who has played his share of bop, soul-jazz, rock, funk, and commercial music, not to mention being a fan of Frank Zappa. The resultant sound is appealing to a wide variety of age groups, but concentrating on a good-time feeling that succeeds on many levels. Organissimo is primarily a club band, equally able to listen to or dance along with. At their quirkiest, "Meet Me @ 11" echoes the British Canterbury movement of the '70s in a fun, funky but still complex 11/8 beat, while the longish "Decoder" is in 12/8, a long workout with a more tuneful line. The straight original soul-jazz swinger "Jimmy Smith Goes to Washington" closely recalls the '60s style Smith invented, the 6/8 "Young's Dream" is a tribute to the Prestige and Blue Note sessions of Larry Young, perhaps quoting his famous tune "Tyrone," while the Latin waltz-combined theme of the spacious, probing, pretty "Life Wish" evokes a feeling of sunny California, or maybe St. Tropez. Tenor saxophonist Ron Blake expands the trio to a quartet on the youth-oriented "Clap Yo' Hands" and doubles on overdubbed flute for "Blake's Shake" which is the closest to real boogaloo. Gloss assumes a Wes Montgomery style on the straight funk "You Don't Want to Do That," clearly showing his influence while simultaneously stepping away from it. A band that will be popular because of their adaptation to contemporary trends, complemented by a high level of musicianship, look for Organissimo to climb the charts and appeal to late-night music lovers everywhere. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi