Blue Note veteran Ronnie Foster swings and thumps his organ like he can’t help it ★★★☆☆

Fifty years after his debut as a bandleader with Blue Note, Ronnie Foster (72) has once again crept behind his Hammond B3 organ for that label for the very enjoyable album reboot – his first in 36 years. He thereby emphatically fills a gap at Blue Note, which arose when organist Dr. Lonnie Smith passed away last year, who, alongside Jimmy Smith, was responsible for the classic funky Blue Note organ sound.

Strange that we have heard so little from Foster, because he makes his organ swing and roar as if he has no other choice. Accompanied by his son Chris on drums and guitarist Michael O’Neill, among others, he takes a few forays into Latin, but it is the funk in the title piece and the smooth swing in swingin’ in which Foster’s organ really starts to steam. Also beautiful is the gospel-like feeling he gives Stevie Wonders Isn’t She Lovely gives. Not the most exciting cover choice, but Foster can come up with it, because he already played on it as a 26-year-old at the time Summer Soft, another number on Wonders Songs In The Key Of Life.