LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

This album might be considered Chapter Three in Johnny Griffin's incredibly productive June, 1962 sojourn to the West Coast. After taping Wes Montgomery's classic Full House (OJCCD-106-2) and hooking up with Wes's brothers Buddy and Monk on Do Nothing 'Til You Hear from Me (OJCCD-1908-2) in Berkeley, Griffin and producer Orrin Keepnews headed to Los Angeles for the saxophonist's first recorded encounter with an organ combo. The band assembled for the project included two then-new stars from the Pacific Jazz label, guitarist Joe Pass and organist Paul Bryant, with PJ owner Richard Bock providing the studio and manning the control board for this uncommon example of cross-country and inter-company cooperation. A singular brand of soul-jazz emerges thanks to the voices of the three featured soloists, with especially emotional playing on Griffin's signature "63rd Street Blues" and Bryant's sanctified "Offering Time."
Track listing: Grab This!, 63rd Street Theme, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Offering Time, These Foolish Things, Cherry Float