RICHIE GOODS is an acclaimed US jazz bassist with an impressive list of credits. He’s played with people like Milt Jackson, Ruseel Malone, Brian McKnight, Walter Beasley, Sting, Whitney Houston and the Manhattan Transfer. More recently he was on the bassist’s stool for Robin McKelle’s ‘Alterations’ album (see our reviews section) and currently he’s promoting his latest album… ‘My Left Hand Man.’
The 10 tracker is Goods’ third LP as leader and it’s an unashamed tribute to his mentor – the jazz pianist/educator Mulgrew Miller. Richie worked with Miller for nine years and he helped introduce the bassist to the wider jazz community, so, for Richie it was completely natural to record an album of Mulgrew Miller compositions.
Amongst the highlights is the gentle, reflective ‘The Sage’ and though this is clearly a bass-led collection, Goods allows his sidemen to stretch as and when. Amongst those sideman is keyboardist Shedrick Mitchell, another player on McKelle’s ‘Alterations’ while from a soul perspective it’s worth noting that the only “vocal” track features ex-Zhane singer Jean Baylor. She fronts the smooth ‘Second Thoughts’ … though her contribution is a more a jazz vocal improvisation than a straight vocal.
