Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Howlin' Wolf • His Best
Review by Cub Koda
With the exception of a vinyl compilation issued in the early '80s (His Greatest Sides, Vol. 1), there'd never really ever been a single-disc Howlin' Wolf best-of package available. That all changed with this entry in MCA/Chess' 50th Anniversary series, a 20-track retrospective that serves as the perfect introduction to the man and his music, some of the very best the blues has to offer. While some naysayers will always decry the exclusion -- or inclusion -- of any given number of tracks on any artist's best-of compilation, it's pretty hard to fault what's been collected here. Starting with the two-sided smash that brought him from Memphis to Chicago ("Moanin' at Midnight" b/w "How Many More Years"), this compilation hits all the high points and essential tracks, illustrating how his music developed into the mid-'60s. Eleven of the 20 tunes on here are either written or co-written by Willie Dixon, and Wolf's original takes on "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," "Wang Dang Doodle," and "I Ain't Superstitious" are truly the definitive ones, a place where personality and material symbiotically become as one. Even if you have already have this material, die-hard Wolf fans -- and audiophiles in particular -- will want to investigate this package as the master transfers used here are absolutely stunning, with stereo mixes of "Killing Floor," "Built for Comfort," "Hidden Charms" (with the full-length Hubert Sumlin guitar solo), "Shake for Me," and the long version of "Going Down Slow" being particular standouts. This is a set so essential that it should be on everyone's Top Ten first purchases in building the perfect blues collection. While Wolf's music will take you to many places (both musically and spiritually), here's where you start to absorb it all. [His Best contains the same tracks as the 2007 Geffen release The Definitive Collection].
With the exception of a vinyl compilation issued in the early '80s (His Greatest Sides, Vol. 1), there'd never really ever been a single-disc Howlin' Wolf best-of package available. That all changed with this entry in MCA/Chess' 50th Anniversary series, a 20-track retrospective that serves as the perfect introduction to the man and his music, some of the very best the blues has to offer. While some naysayers will always decry the exclusion -- or inclusion -- of any given number of tracks on any artist's best-of compilation, it's pretty hard to fault what's been collected here. Starting with the two-sided smash that brought him from Memphis to Chicago ("Moanin' at Midnight" b/w "How Many More Years"), this compilation hits all the high points and essential tracks, illustrating how his music developed into the mid-'60s. Eleven of the 20 tunes on here are either written or co-written by Willie Dixon, and Wolf's original takes on "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," "Wang Dang Doodle," and "I Ain't Superstitious" are truly the definitive ones, a place where personality and material symbiotically become as one. Even if you have already have this material, die-hard Wolf fans -- and audiophiles in particular -- will want to investigate this package as the master transfers used here are absolutely stunning, with stereo mixes of "Killing Floor," "Built for Comfort," "Hidden Charms" (with the full-length Hubert Sumlin guitar solo), "Shake for Me," and the long version of "Going Down Slow" being particular standouts. This is a set so essential that it should be on everyone's Top Ten first purchases in building the perfect blues collection. While Wolf's music will take you to many places (both musically and spiritually), here's where you start to absorb it all. [His Best contains the same tracks as the 2007 Geffen release The Definitive Collection].
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Review by Cub Koda
With the exception of a vinyl compilation issued in the early '80s (His Greatest Sides, Vol. 1), there'd never really ever been a single-disc Howlin' Wolf best-of package available. That all changed with this entry in MCA/Chess' 50th Anniversary series, a 20-track retrospective that serves as the perfect introduction to the man and his music, some of the very best the blues has to offer. While some naysayers will always decry the exclusion -- or inclusion -- of any given number of tracks on any artist's best-of compilation, it's pretty hard to fault what's been collected here. Starting with the two-sided smash that brought him from Memphis to Chicago ("Moanin' at Midnight" b/w "How Many More Years"), this compilation hits all the high points and essential tracks, illustrating how his music developed into the mid-'60s. Eleven of the 20 tunes on here are either written or co-written by Willie Dixon, and Wolf's original takes on "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," "Wang Dang Doodle," and "I Ain't Superstitious" are truly the definitive ones, a place where personality and material symbiotically become as one. Even if you have already have this material, die-hard Wolf fans -- and audiophiles in particular -- will want to investigate this package as the master transfers used here are absolutely stunning, with stereo mixes of "Killing Floor," "Built for Comfort," "Hidden Charms" (with the full-length Hubert Sumlin guitar solo), "Shake for Me," and the long version of "Going Down Slow" being particular standouts. This is a set so essential that it should be on everyone's Top Ten first purchases in building the perfect blues collection. While Wolf's music will take you to many places (both musically and spiritually), here's where you start to absorb it all. [His Best contains the same tracks as the 2007 Geffen release The Definitive Collection].
With the exception of a vinyl compilation issued in the early '80s (His Greatest Sides, Vol. 1), there'd never really ever been a single-disc Howlin' Wolf best-of package available. That all changed with this entry in MCA/Chess' 50th Anniversary series, a 20-track retrospective that serves as the perfect introduction to the man and his music, some of the very best the blues has to offer. While some naysayers will always decry the exclusion -- or inclusion -- of any given number of tracks on any artist's best-of compilation, it's pretty hard to fault what's been collected here. Starting with the two-sided smash that brought him from Memphis to Chicago ("Moanin' at Midnight" b/w "How Many More Years"), this compilation hits all the high points and essential tracks, illustrating how his music developed into the mid-'60s. Eleven of the 20 tunes on here are either written or co-written by Willie Dixon, and Wolf's original takes on "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," "Wang Dang Doodle," and "I Ain't Superstitious" are truly the definitive ones, a place where personality and material symbiotically become as one. Even if you have already have this material, die-hard Wolf fans -- and audiophiles in particular -- will want to investigate this package as the master transfers used here are absolutely stunning, with stereo mixes of "Killing Floor," "Built for Comfort," "Hidden Charms" (with the full-length Hubert Sumlin guitar solo), "Shake for Me," and the long version of "Going Down Slow" being particular standouts. This is a set so essential that it should be on everyone's Top Ten first purchases in building the perfect blues collection. While Wolf's music will take you to many places (both musically and spiritually), here's where you start to absorb it all. [His Best contains the same tracks as the 2007 Geffen release The Definitive Collection].
Ari Seder • Organ Trio
Chicago-based jazz guitarist Ari Seder releases his second album featuring eleven original compositions of straight-ahead jazz with material ranging from slow ballads to some hard-driving rhythms. This recording is one fine session of fresh new jazz delivered by a very capable trio. Seder is joined here by drummer Darren Scorza and Paul Mutzabaugh on the organ. While this is clearly a Seder project with the guitar featured in the lead, organist Mutzabaugh plays a very prominent role in this recording, hence the title of the album Organ Trio.
There’s a terrific variety of jazzy tunes that grabs your attention like the second number "Big Plans," a very catchy melody containing crisp guitar work from the leader accompanied by sharp play by the organist. The group slides into a faster pace with the swinging "Not Alone" revealing an outstanding performance by Seder. In contrast, the music slows down with the beautiful ballad of "The Routine." Another warm and soft piece of music that goes to the heart is the enchanting "Impossible."
The list of splendid music goes on to include the light ballad of "Down Time," in which Mutzabaugh takes center stage with his play, the lively pick up beat of "With Visions" and the melancholy sounds of "Cloudy" just to name a few. All together these clever compositions combine to make one nice package of rhythm-based music that will appeal to the aficionado and the average jazz fan alike. Organ Trio has all of the elements that will make this a successful effort, great writing, excellent musicianship and a sound that deserves to be heard. Kudos for Mr. Seder and his marvelous trio.
Edward Blanco, JazzReview.com
"The musicians sound inspired by the fresh material and while the individual solos are colorful, it is the interplay between the musicians and the appealing ensemble sound that makes Organ Trio....well worth acquiring." ~Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
"....it's easy to hear Wes Montgomery's sense of economy, Pat Metheny's sense of melody, and Grant Green's sense of groove. Add to that the tasteful organ playing of Paul Mutzabaugh and the grooving drums of Darren Scorza, and you've got a band that can play it's collective tail off." ~Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
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El guitarrista de jazz de Chicago Ari Seder lanza su segundo álbum con once composiciones originales de jazz directo con material que va desde baladas lentas hasta algunos ritmos de gran fuerza. Esta grabación es una buena sesión de nuevo jazz fresco, interpretado por un trío muy capaz. A Seder se le unen el baterista Darren Scorza y Paul Mutzabaugh al órgano. Mientras que este es claramente un proyecto de Seder con la guitarra como protagonista, el organista Mutzabaugh juega un papel muy prominente en esta grabación, de ahí el título del álbum Organ Trio.
Hay una gran variedad de temas de jazz que llaman la atención como el segundo número "Big Plans", una melodía muy pegadiza que contiene un nítido trabajo de guitarra del líder acompañado de un agudo toque del organista. El grupo se desliza a un ritmo más rápido con el balanceo de "Not Alone" que revela una destacada actuación de Seder. En contraste, la música se ralentiza con la hermosa balada de "La Rutina". Otra cálida y suave pieza musical que llega al corazón es la encantadora "Imposible".
La lista de música espléndida incluye la ligera balada de "Down Time", en la que Mutzabaugh se convierte en el centro de la escena con su obra, el animado ritmo de "With Visions" y los melancólicos sonidos de "Cloudy" por nombrar algunos. Todas estas ingeniosas composiciones se combinan para crear un bonito paquete de música rítmica que atraerá tanto al aficionado como al fanático medio del jazz. El Trío de Órgano tiene todos los elementos que harán de esto un esfuerzo exitoso, una gran escritura, excelente musicalidad y un sonido que merece ser escuchado. Felicitaciones para el Sr. Seder y su maravilloso trío.
Edward Blanco, JazzReview.com
"Los músicos suenan inspirados por el material fresco y mientras que los solos individuales son coloridos, es la interacción entre los músicos y el atractivo sonido de conjunto lo que hace que el Trío de Órgano.... valga la pena adquirirlo." ~Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
"...es fácil escuchar el sentido de la economía de Wes Montgomery, el sentido de la melodía de Pat Metheny, y el sentido del ritmo de Grant Green. Añade el buen gusto del órgano de Paul Mutzabaugh y la batería de Darren Scorza, y tienes una banda que puede tocar su cola colectiva." ~Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine
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