ORGAN FAIRCHILD is a new(ish) soul and jazz instrumental trio. They comprise Joe Bellanti, organ/keyboards, Corey Kertzie ,drums/percussion and Dave Ruch (guitar) and the team have one album under their collective belt – 2021’s ‘Brewed In Buffalo’ which won the band the accolade of NY’s #1 “emerging band”! However, research reveals that Organ Fairchild might be “emerging” but, in fact, the band members are real veterans. Indeed they first came together way back in 1983 as members of a Grateful Dead covers band, the Wild Knights, and since then the members have gone on to play with all sorts of US music luminaries like the Trey Anastasio Band, Melvin Seals and JGB, Andy Frasco, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
All that experience is plainly evident on the group’s brand new album ‘Leisure Suit’ which wins release this Friday 8th September. The LP is a concise nine tracker and offers a variety of flavours given a unity by the individual’s obvious enthusiasm and their love of making music.
The set opens with the title track – a jaunty four and a half minute soulful groove that recalls the feel and flavour of the great Booker T and the MGs. There’s more Booker T influence on ‘Glad You’re Here’ while ‘The Woodturner’ keeps us down in the dirty south, taking us down to Muscle Shoals maybe for a slow, grinding burn. You want funk? OK, try the tough, gritty ‘Chamelonius Monk’ and the tight cover of the Grateful Dead’s ‘He’s Gone’.
‘Bobby’s Pins’ is a pacey 60s throwback – the title, by the way, comes from drummer Corey Kertzie mishearing the name of British beer “Boddington”! Gentler by a good measure is ‘Morning Coffee’ which features sparkling keys and some intriguing gear changes.
Elsewhere, ‘Over The Handlebars’ is maybe too rocky for soul and jazz sensitivities while the closing ‘Rusty Barge’ is the most adventurous. /experimental track – cinema noir for real!
As we said ‘Leisure Suit’ is a veritable cocktail of flavours – held together by the trio’s passion for what they do. They see themselves as a “jammin’ band” – self-evident on the album; no gimmicks, no hype – what you see is what you get! Lovin’ those fashions too!
Learn more @ https://www.organfairchild.com/
