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Review by John Luciano
Big Organ Trio is a 2006 release comprised of band members Mike Managan on Hammond B3, Bernie Bauer on bass and Brett McConnell on drums. As you might have guessed, the main voice of this band is the organ, but not that roller rink organ from when you were a kid (am I dating myself?), nor is it the greasy fried chicken organ of Jimmy Smith. Big Organ Trio is about deep B3 Funk Rock grooves with a jam Band sensibility. There’s improvisation all over this CD, but this is more rock than jazz, more funk than blues. The songs never drone on or get boring. "Holy Roller" is a country rocker that I would imagine is a killer live in concert, and probably a hit with the jam crowd a la the Allmans. "Organ Grinder" is a dreamy percussive composition, I imagine this is what Herbie Mann and Santana would have sounded like if they had played together. The disc ends with "Road Rage," reminding me of something I could have heard coming from Neil Larsen, circa his Jungle Fever album. This is a strong debut, by what is obviously a trio of very talented young musicians. If you like your organ to rock and funk you (think MMW, Azymuth, Niacin), then check this disc out.