Joshua Breakstone - Remembering Grant Green (Paddle Wheel, 1993)

Joshua Breakstone, guitar

Jack McDuff, organ

Al Harewood, drums

Kenny Barron, piano*

Ray Drummond, bass*

Keith Copeland, drums*

Recorded January 29 & March 5* 1993
Van Gelder Studio
Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder

Joshua Breakstone is a superb guitarist with a clean, soulful sound obviously derived from Grant Green. Breakstone's organ-trio numbers on Remembering Grant Green are a faithful reminiscence of the groove that pervades Green's Blue Note albums. For example, from the opening bars of "Street of Dreams," Breakstone echoes the sublime version from Green's Street of Dreams album (Blue Note, 1967). Green's version was recorded in 1964 and includes Bobby Hutcherson, Larry Young, and Elvin Jones. It's an all-time favorite track and album. 

Jack McDuff handles the organ duties on tracks 1-5 of Remembering Grant Green. The sound of his Hammond B3 in the Van Gelder studio is wonderful - deep bass pedal and the B3's characteristic overtones. I've struggled to describe the unique sound of the B3, so I'll share a description from the Outlier website:

"The Hammond B3 organ sound is hard to describe, but it feels something like being surrounded by the music. When you hear it in a club or intimate setting it becomes a centerpiece, like listening to many voices live." The Hammond B3 Organ Sound is Hard to Describe – Outlier – Portland Oregon Video Production for Training, Marketing, Culture

McDuff is a perfect choice to honor Green's legacy. While both Green and McDuff are often associated with "soul jazz," their work on Remembering Grant Green references the period from 1962-67 when the Blue Note albums Idle Moments, I Want to Hold Your Hand, and Street of Dreams were released. These albums include songs by the Beatles and popular show tunes, yet they precede the crossover into funky territory that would define Green's and McDuff's later careers. 

Kenny Barron's piano trio supports Breakstone on tracks 6 and 7. The quartet numbers were both recorded by Green but it's hard to confirm their recording and release information. 

Once again, the Evidence label rescues a Japanese release and makes it easily available in the West. I like the original Japanese artwork more than the reissue's. For me, the drawing of Green's guitar, borrowed from another Japanese release (Matador), honors Green better than the photograph of Breakstone on the reissue.