Al Kooper: Rekooperation

Let's get the only thing that really matters right up front: this is a great record.

I knew it might be when Al told me the concept -- thirteen trax, all music, no waiting -- because I'd heard him play with Jimmy Vivino's band at Downtime in New York (Jimmy plays guitar on most entries in this scenic selection of soul souvenirs). What I remember most about that night was a ball-busting version of "I Wish You Would" -- the first time I'd ever heard the John Hammond version shut down -- and an instrumental of that classic Booker T & The MG's groove, "Green Onions." We are talking groove here, my brothers & sisters; we are talking smooth down the chute and nice and hot around the heart. And we're talking that splendid rarity: New York Soul.