Mod Jazz and Then Some!

Liner Note Author: Dean Rudland.
Illustrators: Dean Rudland; Ady Croasdell; A. Topping; Tony Rounce.
The 2014 Kent Records compilation Mod Jazz and Then Some! brings together various blues, jazz, and R&B cuts recorded during the '60s. Generally speaking, these recordings were aimed at a working-class audience of club goers, based in such factory rust-belt hot spots as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, who were enamored with the soulful, often dance-oriented sound of small organ trios, sax combos, and electric guitar bands. These sides, originally released on such labels as Prestige, Accent, and Tru-Sound, among others, featured such artists as King Curtis, Clarence Daniels, Shirley Scott, Etta Jones, Freddy Washington, Bobby Jenkins, Trudy Pitts, and others. Here we get such colorfully titled songs as Paul & Rick's "Hen House," the T-K-O's' "The Fat Man," Danny Bell & the Bell Hops' "Chili with Honey," B.B. King's '"Poontwangie aka 3 O'Clock Stomp," Chuck Higgins' "Sorry 'Bout That," and Frenchy & the Chessmen's "El Tacos." More primal than Manhattan-based jazz, and yet more dance-oriented than Mississippi blues, these are funky, often groove-oriented recordings that cross the line between improvisational jazz and instrumental R&B. ~ Matt Collar