The Lyman Woodard Organization – Don't Stop The Groove
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Organ – Lyman Woodard
Vocals – Leroy Emmanuel
Percussion, Vocals – Lorenzo Brown
Guitar, Vocals – Robert Lowe
Drums – Leonard King
Trumpet – Marcus Belgrave
Soprano Saxophone – Kerry Campbell
Tenor Saxophone – Allan Barnes
Trumpet – Ron Jackson
Written by Lyman Woodard (A1-2, B1, B3), Robert Lowe (A1, B2), Allan Barnes (A1)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Pure Pleasure Records
Original Label : Corridor Records
Recorded at Cobb's Corner, Detroit
Engineered by Joe Gruszka and Mark Calice
Mixed by Mark Calice at The Sound Suite Detroit
Produced by Mark Calice
Remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering
Liner Notes by Jim Dulzo
Photography by David Franklin
Originally released in 1979
Reissued in November 2020
Tracks :
Side A:
- Don't Stop The Groove
- Disco Tease
Side B:
- Theme In Search Of A Sportspectacular
- Down Lowe
- Djarum
Reviews :
"There are times when a musical venue shares the cultural spotlight with artists that played there. In jazz circles, this is especially true. One of these spots is Cobb’s Corner in Detroit. During the seventies and early 80’s, a blend of urban rhythm and blues intermingled with contemporary jazz defined this era and its bands. One of these musicians was organist Lyman Woodard. He emerged in Detroit lore at Motown as the musical director for Martha And The Vandellas. Additionally, Woodard formed a trio, and released an album titled Hair And Thangs with Dennis Coffey. While the live 1975 album, Saturday Night Special (Corridor Records) put Woodard on the map, Don’t Stop The Groove solidified his legacy.
Pure Pleasure Records has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl of Don’t Stop The Groove. Recorded at Cobb’s Corner, it is a lively five-song set that emphasizes the style of the Lyman Woodard Organization. Side A opens with the flat-out soul jam title track. A funk rhythm section (Robert Lowe/guitar and Leonard King/drums) lay down a sustained groove as Woodard infuses sauciness with his measured Hammond licks. There is a vocal one-line repeat that further underscores the soul aesthetics. Tenor saxophone (Allan Barnes) expands the texture, first with gritty. energy, and then with a jazzy edge. In the middle, is a nimble organ solo with hooks and a sustain flourish. “Disco Tease” is different than its title suggests. It is festive, “house-party” accessible with a muscular arrangement. The addition of congas (Lorenzo Brown) adds another element. Woodard’s organ solo is jaunty, and there are some crisp tempo breaks. It is evident that ensemble cohesion is at the heart of this band.
Side B keeps the momentum going. On “Theme In Search Of A Sport spectacular”, an explosive tempo is set by guitar, organ and piano. There are a pair of trumpet solos (Marcus Belgrave/Ron Jackson). The former is jazz-influenced with sharp, fluid notes that electrify the audience. A drum/conga percussion jam is relentless, and leads into an adroit fade out. The next song (“Down Lowe’) mixes soul jazz and rock with a trumpet lead. Guitar and organ take over on the chorus. When the tenor saxophone assumes the spotlight, the smoky tonality is hypnotic. As the number progresses, the overall sound is thicker. The finale, “Djarum” is a distinct change of pace. Reaching back for soul-laden balladry, it is slower, and approximates a dance vibe. As with all of the arrangements, there is complexity that showcases jazzy nuances. Soprano saxophone (Kerry Campbell) injects a lighter, airy resonance, followed by swelling instrumental vibrancy. Woodard’s final organ solo may be his finest. it is low-keyed, but graceful and exquisite in the delivery.
Pure Pleasure Records has done its customary outstanding job in re-mastering Don’t Stop The Groove to 180-gram vinyl. The sound mix is balanced and crisp. When the full ensemble is playing, it is not dense. Very little of the crowd noise is present. This pressing has minimal surface noise and no hisses or pops.” Audiophile Audition
“When Cobb's Corner nightclub owner Henry Normile was murdered, followed by the in-street shooting and death of Eddie Jefferson, the heart of the Detroit jazz scene was ripped apart. Through the advent of the Labor Day Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festivals starting in 1980, things picked back up measurably, but the club scene has never been the same. This live recording of the Lyman Woodard Organization, which was taped the day before Normile was killed in his next door apartment, more than any other album or event exemplified the never say die spirit of Motor City jazz. It also was a hallmark for a unique style of the music, an urban rhythm & blues infused contemporary jazz that stood tall for both listeners and dancers during the tail-end of the disco movement. Woodard was in his prime, determined that his idea was singular, and went beyond soul-jazz into a realm where only he could claim ownership. With guitarist Robert Lowe and saxophonist Allan Barnes, who would both go on to national acclaim as leaders, the Organization was a powerhouse in live performance not to be denied, and for sure a solid sending crowd pleaser. A much better recording than his studio cult classic Saturday Night Special, this live set laid the groundwork for the continuation of Woodard's career for decades to come, and showed his fellow Detroiter's that better days lay ahead. Where the title track is happy and a bit more commercial than the rest with its slinky, straight, finger popping, sublime beat and seductive vocal line, "Disco Tease" prances along in a hard rock vein with conga accents from Lorenzo Brown and chicken scratch, dramatic guitar chords from Lowe. "Down Lowe" is a concrete, fatback groove from the guitarist, while "Djarum" turns the wick down in a slow, sexy nightshade visage, with Kerry Campbell's soprano sax expanding the horn section with Woodard's organ in stretched out phrases. The appropriately titled "Theme in Search of a Sports Spectacular" is the killer track, as trumpeter Marcus Belgrave joins the band in an Olympic sprint, an irresistible melody that is catchy, infectious, memorable, and anthematic as any warrior clarion call to battle in the athletic arena. This driven, tenacious, forceful piece of music still stands the test of time for its ferocious attitude and champion-like strut.. The P-Vine label has issued this on CD (with two extra tracks; "Ron's Song" by trumpeter Ron Jackson, and "Kimba,") documenting not only the darkest days, but the bright hope a financially strapped Detroit offers to the rest of the world, and the determination Woodard always exemplified.” Review by Michael G. Nastos
Ratings :
AllMusic : 3.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.31 / 5 ; HIFI Choice Review : 4 / 5 ; HIFI News Sound Quality : 85%