Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith's Evolution is filled with loads of groove. It begins with "Play It Back", a stunning Smith original. Pianist Robert Glasper drops in to blaze through an incredible solo. Jonathan Kreisberg provides funky guitar licks and Smith takes center stage near the end of the tune with a ridiculously soulful solo. The strong rhythms make it hard to sit still while listening.
"Play It Back" is followed by "Afrodesia", a song which brings the funk through the use of horns. Joe Lovano puts in a great shift on sax, but the highlight is a jaw-dropping trumpet solo by Maurice Brown. "For Heaven's Sake" is a beautiful mellow pause from the more fast-paced funk of the earlier tracks. Kriesberg is key to the song's power as he gorgeously drifts in and out of the song around the horns' motif and delivers a great solo. The guitarist impresses again with an expressive solo on a fresh take of the Thelonious Monk classic "Straight No Chaser".
While Evolution is a great listen, it does have a low point in "Talk About This". The album is mostly instrumental, and despite how good Smith's organ is on "Talk About This", the vocals still come off as unnecessary. However, what comes next is a truly unique cover of "My Favorite Things". The way Smith rearranges the tune is a testament to why the explorative nature of jazz makes it a compelling genre of music.
"My Favorite Things" opens darkly and moves at an unusually slow pace. It builds ominously and quietly. Eventually, Smith's organ patiently states the main theme, which is completed by Kriesberg before the entire band joins in on the fun and the tune explodes with rapid energy. Evolution is finished by "African Suite", which features congo-based percussion and colorful Flute courtesy of John Ellis. Evolution is a joy to listen to. Dr. Smith has drawn from all of his years of experience and made an extremely fun album with a very talented band.
