Even though ‘Say it loud’ is considered one of the weaker albums of Mr. Donaldson, I consider it a must in the Souljazz corner of my collection. Exactly this sound! Exactly this quintet! Exactly this selection of funky groovy tracks!

With Leo Morris, not yet listed here as Idris Muhammad, the then very young Charles Earland on the organ, Jimmy Ponder on guitar – you can’t escape the hypnotic groove from the very first sound. So: Maybe not the best Lou Donaldson record, but from every groove more funk and soul emanates than many combos can breathe their entire existence.

Stefan Mohr