Let ’Em Roll cover

Let ’Em Roll

Released

This 1965 album by organist Patton (his fifth in three years for Blue Note) is frequently overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. His regular instrumentation of organ, guitar and drums (here played by Grant Green and Otis Finch) is augmented by a surprise element: Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone. His shimmering cloud chords and fleet melodic runs are a perfect counterpart for Green’s stinging, bluesy guitar and Patton’s thick organ, and Finch’s hard-swinging backbeat never misses. In addition to four Patton soul-jazz originals, the album includes a version of the standard “The Shadow of Your Smile” and another welcome surprise — a version of Hank Mobley’s “The Turnaround.” This is a head-nodding, foot-tapping album sure to please fans of organ jazz, with just that little something extra for listeners attuned to Hutcherson’s mid ’60s post-bop style.

Phil Freeman

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