J.a.T.P. in Tokyo

Recorded in 1960, This Here Is Bobby Timmons is a classic soul jazz album. The, then, young pianist Timmons was one of the first to explore funk in jazz and this album was to inspire a multitude of musicians. Included are his own compositions, "Joy Ride", "Dat Dere" and "Moanin'", which have gained fame with other jazzmen (particularly Art Blakey who made the latter almost his theme tune). Elsewhere standards such as Ellington's "Prelude To A Kiss", the Rodgers-Hart "My Funny Valentine" and Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" enjoy the Timmons Gospel-influenced funk. Driven by the trio of the man himself on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums this is music which puts the hip before the cat. If your fingers aren't clicking by the first minute of the opening number then you should get them checked by a doctor. --Phil Brett

Label: Unknown
Studio: Fantasy/Original Jazz Classics
Released: 1999-12-23
Format: Audio CD