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A Bowl of Soul

This is a 1970 UK re-issue, on the short-lived Valiant label, of an album recorded in '66 and released in '67. The original US pressings had a cartoon-style cover design depicting a cereal box and a bowlful of something with a spoon in it. Someone by the name of Paul May is credited with the design featuring the woman's torso. The music is earthy soul-jazz, expertly led by Holmes' Hammond organ.

It's too bad the cover designer got credited for his work, but the musicians - Holmes excepted - did not: they did a great job, especially whoever was on the electric guitar. Holmes is on fine form too: I particularly like the range of sounds he coaxes from the keyboard in the slowly simmering 'How Long How Long Blues'. The producer, who did get a mention, was Nick Venet: apparently he was also in the control room (according to wikipedia) for some of the early Beach Boys singles: 'Surfin' Safari', etc. 

Also thanks to wikipedia, I gather that the band backing Holmes on this record were Onzy Matthews' orchestra: but I've yet to find any further particulars about the players. In any case, only a few of the tracks got the full big-band treatment: the others, such as the eponymous opener, sound like they featured only a quartet of organ, guitar, bass & drums. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it's all eminently enjoyable entertainment.

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