HAMMOND STREET Funky Organ Compilation CD Acid Jazz Mod

“Everybody loves the sound of a Hammond Organ. A bold statement I know, but I’ve yet to meet anyone whose frown doesn’t turn to a smile upon hearing the heart-rendering, gut-wrenching sound of a Hammond running at full tilt. Having come across several bands up and down the country which utilise the sound of this glorious instrument as well as a few from across the Atlantic, I thought it high time an album featuring the cream of this new blood was conceived.…..Of course, no Hammond album would be complete without a few offerings from the old masters. The esteemed likes of Reuben Wilson and Jimmy McGriff provide us with a taste of the old days-but I’m sure you’ll agree some of the new cats are right up behind them snapping at their heels. Welcome to Hammond Street.”  Sir Tristan Longworth-London, October 2001

The Hammond organ was patented by the American inventor and clockmaker Lawrens Hammond. Production of  tone-wheel organs stopped after his death in 1974. Originally designed for churches, from the 1950’s onward the Hammond became popular in jazz, funk, soul and rock  to name but a few genres.

Most of the tracks here feature the classic Hammond B3/Leslie rotary speaker combo, capturing the famous vibrato. Weighing in at 400 pounds each, you may wonder why would any sane musician want to lug these huge things to a gig with them? Well, if you have ever heard a good B3, you will understand!

Hammonds can imitate many instruments, be it a jazz combo, funk group, percussion or whatever, but no instruments, despite today’s hi-tech digital processors, can truly imitate the unique Hammond, with its tonewheel, vibrato, percussion and drawbars. Warm or cold, hard or soft, dark or bright, but always full of charm, this album is a snaphot of the many genres which feature this mighty, immortal organ…

…The Hammond lives!