An appropriate title for an utterly charming set from
the Three Sounds. The trio works familiar territory on
Feelin' Good, playing a set of swinging hard bop and classy soul-jazz, but there's a definite spark in the air. Working from a diverse set of standards, originals, contemporary jazz, and blues,
the Three Sounds created a cheerful, up-tempo record. Its very ease is deceptive -- the music is so accessible and entertaining, it's easy to overlook the sheer musical mastery of the group, which performs at something of a peak on this record.
Gene Harris sounds better than ever, turning in an elegant interpretation of "It Could Happen to You," but he's just as able to inject "When I Fall in Love" with unexpectedly vigorous swing and make
Monk's "Straight No Chaser" a foot-tapping, danceable delight. Bassist
Andrew Simpkins and drummer
Bill Dowdy follow
Harris with graceful, imperceptible ease. It captures
the Three Sounds at a peak, which means
Feelin' Good is an excellent example of early soul-jazz. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine