Gene Harris never veered closer to mainstream jazz-funk than
Tone Tantrum -- a slick, propulsive record recalling
Donald Byrd's classic sessions with the
Mizell brothers (not surprising, given that
Byrd turns up on a few tracks here). It's very much a product of its time, channeling influences from underground disco to
Stevie Wonder, and remains arguably the most blatantly commercial release in the entire Blue Note catalog. Paired with singer/keyboardist
Jerry Peters, bassist
Chuck Rainey, and drummer
Harvey Mason,
Harris' smooth, slinky Fender Rhodes grooves are couched in lush strings and shimmering backing vocals. Still, while the sound is radio-friendly, the quality and complexity of the performances serve as a potent reminder that
Tone Tantrum is first and foremost a jazz record, and a solid (if unconventional) one at that, purists be damned. ~ Jason Ankeny