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Purdie Fabian Oswanski: Move On!

By Chris M. Slawecki
January 19, 2021
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In a 1977 magazine interview, New York Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson (in)famously referred to himself as "the straw that stirs the drink" for his team. On this trio set with organ player and composer

Ron Oswanski

organ, Hammond B3
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Oswanski and bassist-composer

Christian Fabian

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Fabian (who also shaped the arrangements), the one and only original funky drummer

Bernard Purdie

drums
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Bernard Purdie keeps stirring his drum pots to help this trio's funky and rhythmic grooves to Move On!.

The leadoff "The Red Plaza" and subsequent "BPP Blues" (referencing the famous Bernard "Pretty" Purdie nickname) immediately reveal this set's heart and soul: It's the sound of sheer musical joy. Purdie stretches out and snaps back the beat as he strolls through "The Red Plaza," while bassist Fabian fingerpops some funk and Oswanski keeps pace by playing soul with the fever and speed of rock 'n' roll.

Fabian's arrangement neatly keeps "Can't You See (You're Doin' Me Wrong)" from

Tower of Power

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Tower of Power's Back to Oakland (1975, Warner Bros.) as a soul ballad, his bass singing the melody in a wonderfully conversational tone with keyboards singing harmony and support vocals. They also render

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "Love You Madly" with a loving touch.

The last three tunes close Move On! with howling hurricane force. Fabian's tight New Orleans bass line, twist-tied to Purdie's rollicking drumbeat, provides the straw that stirs the title track. The trio completely blows up the 160-year-old warhorse "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" into a free and easy jam that you might hear rising out of some smokey little speakeasy late on a Saturday night, much more fun and playful than you'd reasonably expect.

Oswanski stretches out

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' "So What" into the electric spaciousness of

Brian Auger

organ, Hammond B3
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Auger and his fusion-fueled Oblivion Express but without leaving the gritty soul and feel of blues and rock keyboards behind, with Fabian's bass calling out that famous original bass line and Oswanski's keyboards simulating the horns echoing back that blue response. It's a great way to close Move On!: Leaving you wanting to hear just one more tune.

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Track Listing

The Red Plaza; BPP Blues; Can��t You See (You��re Doin�� Me Wrong); 84-85; Got Groove (Part 2); Love You Madly; Move On!; The Battle Hymn of the Republic; So What.

Personnel

Ron Oswanski

organ, Hammond B3

Christian Fabian

bass

Bernard Purdie

drums

Album information

Title: Move On! | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: CAP

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