Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Live At Kexp

<p>2018 release</p>

The trio is funky, fresh and perfectly tight-but-loose with drummer David McGraw holding it down and the shared rhythm duties of Delvon Lamarr (organ) and Jimmy James (guitar) are equally impressive, just as both players take their moments to shine when soloing. James manages to evoke his namesake (Hendrix) on the MG’s soul-stir that is Tacoma Black Party, really letting loose, strangling out some beautiful sounds.

It’s such a full sound from the band and such a great, driving feel. Lamarr’s overall aesthetic – look at that album cover – is for the 1960s of Booker T and Jimmy Smith. There’s jazz in the heart and soul here with pure R’n’B in the engine room.

Also, this is worth having – not just for the kick-ass live performances, but only two songs are repeated on the debut studio record, strong renditions here of the sassy-funk stew, Concussion and the cool-charm breezy licks that drive Memphis; all Cornell Dupree-like. But this live album kicks off with a powerhouse run through Curtis Mayfield’s Move On Up and keeps the soul strut searing with a little Meters-esque bounce through South Leo St. Stomp.

Simon Sweetman ~ Off The Tracks