The first album of the new Ramsey Lewis Trio, of course, released on the Chicago label Cadet, well known for its soul, jazz and R&B unifying recordings, is no surprise for connoisseurs of Mr. Lewis’ pleasing rhythmic soulful piano playing.

Recorded in 1967 in a live atmosphere at San Francisco’s Basin Street West Club, the trio plays everything that makes a good Ramsey Lewis show: jazz classics (Django), R&B hit tunes (Dancing in the street), country and western songs (You don’t know me), Brazilian music (Black Orpheus), ballads (Mood for Mendes) – all in the sparkling Ramsey Lewis trademark groove.

The two new co-musicians were a real enrichment: Cleveland Eaton on bass is himself a multi-instrumentalist, has earned his spurs in various combos before this engagement with Mr. Lewis – ‘His tone is full and projective and his notes are somewhat long, giving his movement a nice feeling of swing’.

And the then still young Maurice White on drums was also already a busy session musician – ‘Because he has time on his side and an abundance of ambition and youthful vigor, Maurice White’s future promises to be a very hopeful one.’ And that was as prophetic as it was true – Maurice White was to make music history as the inventor and frontman of Earth, Wind & Fire. Walking in such a popular trio with such an accomplished frontman as Mr. Lewis certainly helped.

Stefan Mohr