Gene Harris And His The Three Sounds - Elegant Soul

First US press 1968, the title says it all, and if you're looking for breaks, they are all in here

Gene Harris And The Three Sounds - Elegant Soul

Year Released: 1968

Genre: Soul Jazz, Jazz, Funk

Description:

Elegant Soul is a pivotal album by American jazz pianist Gene Harris and his band, The Three Sounds. Released in 1968 on the Blue Note Records label, the album represents a significant stylistic evolution for the band. Having established themselves as masters of a cool, sophisticated hard bop sound, this album finds them embracing the burgeoning soul and funk movements of the late 1960s. The result is a sound that blends their jazz sensibilities with a groovier, more accessible aesthetic.

The album's title, Elegant Soul, perfectly encapsulates its sound. It's a smooth and sophisticated fusion of soul and jazz, a style often referred to as "soul jazz." The album features the core trio of Gene Harris on piano, Andy Simpkins on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums. They are joined on several tracks by a small horn section and guitarist Tommy Tedesco, adding a layer of funk and texture to the arrangements.

Elegant Soul is a mix of original compositions and inventive covers of popular soul and R&B hits of the day. The album includes a grooving version of Sly & the Family Stone's "I Want to Take You Higher" and an instrumental take on The Delfonics' "La-La Means I Love You." The original tracks, such as the laid-back "The Real Thing," showcase the band's ability to create a deep, infectious groove. The album's cover art, a stylish black-and-white photograph of the band, further reinforces the cool, refined vibe of the music. While it was not a massive commercial success at the time, Elegant Soul has become a fan favorite and is now seen as a crucial document of the soul jazz movement, demonstrating the fluid boundaries between jazz, funk, and R&B