Liner Notes

Blue Note’s roster of Hammond B3 organists was a vibrant and varied bunch that ran the stylistic gamut from Jimmy Smith’ s virtuosic innovations to Larry Young ’s horizon-expanding explorations. Kansas City born dynamo Big John Patton operated in a soul jazz sweet spot throughout his stellar 1960s Blue Note tenure always making sure each of his platters was served with a healthy helping of soul.

Patton first appeared as a sideman on Lou Donaldson ’s albums The Natural Soul and Good Gracious and later cut his own Blue Note leader debut with 1963’s Along Came John . Highlights of the set include the Patton originals “Let ‘Em Roll” and “Latona,” a tender performance of the Johnny Mandel ballad “The Shadow of Your Smile,” and a spirited romp through Hank Mobley ’s “The Turnaround.”

Perhaps the most unique—and certainly one of the finest—albums in his discography is Let ‘Em Roll , a fantastic 1965 session that found Patton altering the standard organ trio line-up of guitar ( Grant Green ) and drums ( Otis Finch ) by adding vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson into the mix (Green had used this same instrumentation to great effect on his album Street of Dreams the year prior).