Javon Jackson’s band on Easy Does It is not unlike the Wayne
Shorter-Curtis Fuller Jazz Messengers… both boast superb lineups, but only
Jackson and his band are steeped in the 21st Century Groove. Mr.
Jackson’s previous five recordings for Blue Note established him as fresh
new voice in jazz, unafraid of stirring things up a bit. He
took that attitude and shot it at light-speed into the Palmetto studios to
produce a funk masterpiece.
Mr. Jackson has chosen the right band for such
an auspicious occasion. Dr. Lonnie Smith is a groove physician, prescribing
grease and greens to all that wears one down. He provides his blues "If You
See Kay" to kick things off. Blues… is that what you call this? Jackson’s own
"Papa Lou" is definitely a blues circa 1960s Jimmy Smith.
Mark Whitfield plays an understated role here, providing that necessary
guitar groove to pieces like Marvin Gaye’s "Right On" and Jackson’s "Kiss,"
adding a little wah-wah to the latter. Lenny White shows why he was so
indispensable to Return to Forever’s sound in the ‘70s. Dr. Smith plays
orchestrally on every song he touches. On the title cut, his footwork is
potent, laying down a mud thick groove over which Jackson and Whitfield
converse. Whitfield gets his most authoritative workout here with Jackson
playing harmony and beginning what one hopes is a long relationship with the
guitarist. Easy Does It is exactly what Dr. Jazz ordered.
For more information, see
Palmetto Records and
Javon Jackson.
~ C. Michael Bailey
