100% Pure Funk collects portions of three performances by Hammond B-3 player
Jimmy McGriff, two from 1973 and one from 1974.
McGriff has a laid-back, comfortable, and lived-in sound, mixing blues and gospel influences into a small combo jazz setting, best showcased here on an original composition (written by
McGriff and producer
Sonny Lester) called "Blues for a Broken Down Funky Old Bus," which perfectly catches the warm tone and feel of these sessions. The only problem here is the title of the album, since these aren't funk outings, and given
McGriff's later exploration of funk rhythms on albums like Tail Gunner, it is bound to confuse folks looking for heavier
McGriff material. ~ Steve Leggett