One of the most popular soul jazz albums of all time, and one of the best, although
Harris (and trumpeter
Benny Bailey) had never played or rehearsed with the
Les McCann Trio before, and indeed wasn't even given the music. Perhaps that's what sparked the spontaneous funk coming through clearly on the tape of this show, recorded at the Montreux Festival in 1969. It's actually much more of a showcase for
McCann than
Harris, although the tenor saxist's contributions are significant. The sole vocal, a version of
Gene McDaniels' "Compared to What," remains
McCann's signature tune. [Some reissues add a nine-minute bonus track, "Kaftan."] ~ Richie Unterberger
