Dwain

• An instant classic from one of the greatest to ever take a seat on the hallowed throne of a B3 Hammond organ. Joey Defrancesco and company take you through a spiritual grooving journey into their souls on this creation. The theme of the album, which is this spiritual journey, is evident throughout with the use of different sounds and percussion instruments. There’s a great use of different time signatures and feels on this one but meanwhile they keep it groovin’ hard regardless of the meter. Joey Defrancesco puts on a clinic on how to use every single part of the organ and his footwork on the pedals is next level while being able to left-hand comp and solo overtop is elite skill like maybe no other.

• The horn section on this one is killer and I didn’t know just how much I liked Troy Robert’s playing until just now. James Carter fans should go and check Troy out. I think he’s right up your alley!

• The band is so tight and seems to be having so much fun during this album. There’s an energy that is undeniable and ever-present years later as we listen to it today.

• A legacy piece from Joey Defrancesco and he will be truly missed by so many. Thank you for your impact on jazz and on all organ players Joey.

Overall score: 9.0/10

Max

• In the Key of the Universe is a hard-hitting, spiritual journey that explores everything from the Blues to the expansiveness of the universe and the human condition. There are an array of sounds used from electric piano to chimes, gongs, and other spacey sounds throughout. It’s a mix of the typical hard-swinging approach you’d expect from Joey Defrancesco with an added sense of spiritual exploration led by the inclusion of the great Pharaoh Sanders on Tenor sax and vocals. Troy Roberts also shines on this album. We get to hear the greatness of Roberts’ sound and improvisations while also hearing his abilities on Soprano and Alto sax in addition to his usual Tenor. Roberts also plays Bass on a couple of tracks! The musicality of the group is something to be admired and explored with each song on this recording. There are some really great moments sprinkled throughout the album. Billy Hart on drums is solid as well. A few of the introductory techniques are a little overdone, and once in a while I get the sense that they’re overdoing it a bit on the spacey and ‘out’ aspects on the record. All in all, it is a successful album filled with lots of meaning and superb playing.

Overall score: 8.8/10