Grant Green's fourth album,
Sunday Mornin', was the first time
Green recorded (as a leader) with a piano instead of an organ. Joined by pianist
Kenny Drew, bassist
Ben Tucker, and drummer
Ben Dixon,
Green makes
Sunday Mornin' less of a
soul-jazz session than his previous work, instead turning in a solid -- if not quite exceptional -- set of
modal hard bop and laid-back grooves. Pianist
Drew's sparse chording leaves plenty of room for
Green's lilting tones to ring out, and since
Green's approach relies on single-note lines rather than chords, the whole session ends up with a spacious, light feel. Half of the original six tracks are
Green originals, including the
Martin Luther King-inspired
"Freedom March" and the
gospel-tinged title track; the others are well-known repertory:
"God Bless the Child," Miles Davis'
"So What," and
Eddie Harris' then-recent hit adaptation of the theme from
"Exodus." Green is tasteful and elegant as always, and the results make for an enjoyable addition to his discography, even if there are more distinctive
Green albums available. ~ Steve Huey
