Album: Little Things /  Artist: Mr. Groove /  13 tracks: 1:05:03 /  November 1st, 2007 /  Diamond Disc Records

Even though the band Mr. Groove has been around in different configurations since 1987, I had not heard of them until recently, so when a CD arrived on my desk with the group’s name on the cover, I groaned inwardly, thinking to myself, ‘another karaoke guy who got together with a bunch of his buddies, scrounged up some money, and made an el cheapo CD.’ Boy was I ever wrong!  Some very fine musicians headed by two brothers Tim Smith (bass guitar) and Roddy Smith (guitar), put together the thirteen tracks that comprise the album Little Things, and this has quickly become one of my favorite CDs.

There is a little of something for everybody on this CD. It starts off with several very solid contemporary jazz tunes including the title track “Little Things,” in which Tim Smith lays down a strong bass line upon which the rhythm section led by trumpeter Jon Thornton and soprano saxophonist, Tim Gordon, is able to build.  Mark Stallings shines on keyboards, while drummer Donnie Marshall sets a nice tempo.

The second track “Venice Wind,” opens languidly, before picking up the pace a little more at the midpoint, as Stallings provides some pretty work on the keys.

It is debatable whether or not my personal favorite among the jazz tracks is the best song on the CD, but I really liked the little big band sound that Mr. Groove created for the swinging “We’ll Be Together.” For this song, the sextet expanded to include, trumpeter Steve Patrick, Doug Moffet (sax) and trombonist Roy Agee. The horn arrangements were also created by Agee. Steve Willet does a really good job with the vocals.

By the fifth track, “Hal’s Shuffle,” Mr. Groove decides to take some risks, considered risks, only because what started off as a splendid jazz album now dives into a decidedly funk song, with Pat Coil’s organ riffs leading the way. Billy Ward maintains a strong and quick moving backbeat, while the guitarists’ nimble fingers mesmerize us with some awesome chord changes.  

Current Grand Funk (Railroad) keyboardist Tim Cashion slides in with a good vocal performance on the pop oriented “Falling Into Place,” which is followed by the Smith brothers’ original composition, “C 100,” that once again features some spectacular work from both guitarists, as well as the tandem of Coil (keys), and drummer Ward, on this funky / jazz hybrid.

Choosing to cover a song is always a hit and miss proposition when it comes to listener reaction, especially when you decide to record a tune by a legend, let alone two legends, which is precisely what Mr. Groove did. The first cover tune is the Temptations’ song “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” (1972), a song whose legacy has been greater than the success it originally enjoyed on the charts. Darryl Johnson delivers a memorable vocal performance. If you like guitars, you love a good groove, enjoy the sound of a synthesizer, and delight in R&B music, then you have got to add this album to your collection, if for no other reason than to hear this rendition of a classic song.

The other cover tune that Mr. Groove pulls off in spectacular fashion is Supertramp’s “Take The Long Way Home,” from the 1979 album Breakfast In America. The original went all the way to # 10 on the charts, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the cover version climb as high or higher on the charts, as the song is introduced to a new generation of listeners.  Singer Ron Kimball combines with electric guitarist Roddy Smith it is easy to forget this is not Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson of Supertramp. Tim Gordon’s sax enhances the listening pleasure.

I liked Mr. Groove’s CD Little Things, more each time I spun the disc. This is incredible music, played by an incredible band.

Click here for printer friendly article

Reviewed November 2007