Big John Patton's Soul Connection originally appeared on drummer Alvin Queen's Nilva label in 1983 -- just before the organist's "rediscovery" by John Zorn in the 1990s. It is the lost gem in his catalog and showcases him in one of the most provocative quintets in his career; it feels quite directly like an extension of Patton's late Blue Note period on titles like Memphis to New York Spirit and Accent on the Blues. Patton is accompanied here by the great soul-jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks; tenor saxman Grant Reed; trombonist, composer, and arranger Grachan Moncur III; and Queen -- who produced the set -- on drums. Musically, the material reflects the diverse range and demeanor of this band. Reed is the least well-known member, but his jazz and funk associations run deep. He appeared with Jack Walrath on the front line of Don Pullen's quintet, and in the early '70s was a member of Mongo Santamaria's band. A disciple of Texas tenor Booker Ervin, he has a big soulful tone that reaches both ends of the spectrum, from Arnett Cobb shouts to John Coltrane's angles. There are two tunes apiece by Patton and Moncur. However, the opening title track is a reading of one of trumpeter Dusko Goykovich's finest soul-jazz numbers (in which the composer directly pays homage to the early-'70s Crusaders). It begins with a break-heavy Latin shuffle from Queen before the front line kicks it into stomp groove. Goykovich wrote some mean titles in his day, and this is one of the very best. It's complex progressive jazz, yet lies deeply in the soul pocket, lending it an earthy quality, too -- thanks in large part to Sparks' choppy chord voicings that allow Patton to solo freely.

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