The Prophet

Arranged by former James Brown bandleader and funk-a-teer extraordinaire Pee Wee Ellis, and featuring the instantly recognisable sound of former JB sax don Maceo Parker, the funk is strong with this 1973 soul jazz album from Hammond B-3 exponent Johnny Hammond. One of his best pre-Gears albums, you get six very different tracks. “Thunder and Lightning” is edgy, slightly manic, rushing acid jazz, the Ellis-penned title track is slo-mo big brass funk, and there’s a darkly stalking take on the Eagles’ “Witchy Woman” featuring a relentlessly seething groove, wordless gospel-esque female vocals, and sharp bluesy guitar runs. The more placid, sweetly floating “Stand Behind Me” still has plenty of R’n’B/funk drive in the rhythm section and percolating, churning soul jazz groover “Corner of the Sky” ends the album on an inspirational, sweaty, worked-up note. A ‘70s organ soul jazz classic.