Lou Donaldson – The Natural Soul
A classic early-’60s Blue Note soul-jazz session, The Natural Soul finds Lou Donaldson leaning fully into the groove-driven, bluesy direction that would define much of his most collectable output. Backed by a superb lineup — Tommy Turrentine (trumpet), Grant Green (guitar), John Patton (organ), and Ben Dixon (drums) — this album blends hard bop structure with infectious, organ-led swing.
Grant Green’s clean, economical guitar lines lock beautifully with Patton’s Hammond textures, while Donaldson’s alto rides the groove with confidence and warmth. Tracks like “Funky Mama” and “Nice ’N Greasy” are prime examples of Blue Note’s transition into deeper soul territory without sacrificing musicianship.
This title sits in the desirable BLP 4108 / BST 84108 series and remains one of the stronger Donaldson releases for collectors who favour the Grant Green / John Patton combination.
Genre: Jazz / Soul-Jazz / Hard Bop
Track Listing
Side One
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Funky Mama
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Love Walked In
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Spaceman Twist
Side Two
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Sow Belly Blues
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That’s All
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Nice ’N Greasy
