Grasella Oliphant – Get Out Of My Life Woman
Grasella Oliphant – Soul Woman
Grasella Oliphant – Cantaloupe Woman
This week I bring to you quite possibly the greatest Blue Note record not actually on the Blue Note record label. It comes from drummer Grasella Oliphant and a fantastic group that he was working with at this time, including Big John Patton on the organ, guitarist extraordinaire Grant Green, horn players Harold Ousley & Clark Terry and Major Holley on bass.
It goes without saying that “Get Out Of My Life Woman” is one of those songs that regardless who is doing it, if you see it’s on a record from this period of time, you know it’s gonna have a nice break and a satisfyingly soulful groove. The boys don’t disappoint there or anywhere on this LP. The sound is so classic Blue Note, that you’d swear Rudy Van Gelder produced this one. I’m especially fond of the second line strut Oliphant lays down on “The Yodel” and “Soul Woman.” The last track I’ve posted here (out of the 8 total on the record) “Cantaloupe Woman” was written by Big John’s usual drummer, and doesn’t really bear much resemblance to the Herbie Hancock tune “Cantaloupe Island” but is seriously groovy on its own. All in all a very necessary addition to your collection if you dig on soul-jazz of the highest order.
Cheers,
Michael