This week features a tribute to a man who influenced me greatly in getting into the funk and soul jazz when I was growing up. The first time I heard of him I was standing at a Virgin Megastore kiosk in Chicago listening to a cover of Think Twice and had no idea it was him and the Mizell brothers in my ear. But not everyone's as familiar with his status as one of the jazz icons in the 60's. I had to pick one of the MIzell-era tracks...just had to... but my favorite is his haunting rendition of Motherless Child on an album that tends to get passed over.

Also including some Coltrane, Ray Charles, a stormer by Oscar Peterson, Nils Henning Orsted-Pedersen, and Louis Hayes, and a track from George Benson's first album as frontman with the Brother Jack McDuff Quartet. Enjoy and see you next week!

Tracklist:

John Coltrane with The Red Garland Trio - Slow DanceThe Modern Jazz Quartet - Donnie's ThemeRay Charles - But On The Other Hand BabyDonald Byrd - My BabeDonald Byrd - Where Are We Going?Donald Byrd - Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless ChildOscar Peterson - Younger Than SpringtimeYusef Lateef - (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance With YouJoe Henderson - Brown's TownJohnny Griffin - Alone AgainGeorge Benson with The Brother Jack McDuff Quartet - Easy Living