Deep Tracks 58

1. A Fest Do Santo Reis – Tim Maia
2. Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty – Herbie Mann
3. You Left The Water Running – Sam & Dave
4. If You Got It Flaunt It – Ramsey Lewis
5. A Message To You Rudy – The Specials
6. Knock On Wood – Rueben Wilson
7. Leave My Woman Alone – Albert Lee
8. Thank You – Joe Thomas
9. Space Captain – Joe Cocker
10. Better Days – Joe Pass
11. Clean Up Your Own Backyard – OC Smith
12. Save Me – Aretha Franklin
13. You Never Get Too Big – Doug Sahm
14. Serenade to a Soul Sister – Horace Silver
15. Way Back Home – Bernard Purdie
16. Little Esther’s Blues – Esther Phillips
17. Waymaker – Mylon LeFevre
18. Macongo – Hugh Masakela
19. If You’re Ready – Jimmy McGriff
20. Put Your Weight On – Fillmore Street Soul Rebellion

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This compilation was inspired by Tim Maia's ebullient A Fest Do Santo Rei. Don't ask me what he is talking about but it is a wicked groove that feels like a Caparihna and sand between the toes. I have always loved the live recordings Ramsey Lewis did in the late sixties for Cadet. The vibe, with the clapping and shouting, reeks of the Southside on a Saturday night. If you listen closely you can hear the glassware tinkling on the tables. A Message to You Rudy was one of the great early ska covers that those of us who grew up in the 80's discovered through gringo ska revivalists The Specials. A moment of inspired genius it is not but damn fun nonetheless.

Reuben Wilson is a godfather of the jazz funk scene who continues to perform to this day. This track taken from one of his Blue Note offerings appears for the first 1:10 to be a rather rote cover of Eddie Floyd's brilliant Knock on Wood. The bridge however leads us in anther direction. And of course what happens at 1:11 is a stunningly funky jump by Leon Spencer Jr. onto the bass pedals of his B-3. And we are off and running...

Joe Cocker was obviously insane by the time his Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour hit the Fillmore. Despite the imminent collapse of his vocal chords, he takes a ride with the Space Captain and it looks like he'll never come down. Of course if he had lost his way, he need only reach out to the dexterous Jimmy McGriff for his take on the Staple's gospel soul hit, If You're Ready Come Go With Me. So let's go.