If you ever get the opportunity for see the Doctor perform open heart music surgery live, it is a thing of artistic science. And as a man of science I often use the mantra, "it doesn't take a complicated solution to solve a complicated problem".

The problem is the esoteric listener; how can this one man please all our variations of taste and styles in jazz? The Doctor has responded and the solution is easy; you only use three core instruments – the Hammond B3, the guitar and drums. Problem solved!

The Doctor is obviously a man of science, or possibly not, and he still performs with the longstanding trio Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar and Jonathan Blake on drums. Using these three core instruments, he relies on the intuitive skills of his understudies.  

To celebrate his 75th birthday and mark the release of his second album since the return to Blue Note in 2016, this performance was recorded live at The Jazz Standard in New York. Two additional stars have been added to this cosmic line-up; Joe Dyson (Nicholas Payton Trio) and Alicia Olatuja, thrust into the spotlight since her performance at Obama's Inauguration with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Chorus.

Still inspired and clearly heard is the Doctor's love for his keyboard influenced by the legend Jimmy Smith; the B-3 Hammond maestro. With his strident, harsh and treble tones juxtaposed with the low octave bass, this produces the Doctor's trademark autograph; and if it were possible to squeeze this sound into a feathered quill, he would sign his letters with it.

I have seen the Doctor perform on couple of occasions at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s' jazz club in London, and on one occasion he was clearly seen to gently persuade some keen session musicians back into line; either they were too excited or missed their queues. However, now you can hear the fluid transitions, carefully placed spaces and jubilant infills with his stable trio. It just flows.

Another one of the Doctor's complimentary signatures is his frequent use of long quiet intros before they slowly crescendo into the first chorus. This is the case in his version of Wayne Shorter’s Juju. Still played in a triple beat, the light funk accents give this track additional perspective.  Kreisberg has a way of making six strings talk as though it were a soliloquy. The drum solos roll as the other instruments provide punchy infills. 

Jack, Roy, Lee and Gus were the subjects in Paul Simon's classic 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. The Doctor plays this tune without the lyrics, which is a coincidental fitting tribute to Paul Simon's 2018 farewell tour.

Kreisberg takes charge in On a Misty Night. His clever use of white space keeps the overall feel of the music simple and uncomplicated. Originally written by Tadd Dameron, and featuring John Coltrane, it still brings the room to a silence, as though in prayer.

The Mezzo-soprano vocal range projected by Alicia Olatuja is emotionally compelling as she performs the blues soliloquy All in My Mind. Nobody could have sung it better for such a special occasion. In the 2013 interview with Music Journalist Jim Farber, Alicia is quoted saying "I don’t think they (other artist) know my phone number." Now everyone wants her number.

This is certainly a fun-packed album full of vitamin jazz. It’s good for you.

Trust the Doctor.

Credits :

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Hammond B-3 Organ

Jonathan Kreisberg - Guitar

Jonathan Blake - Drums

Joe Dyson - Drums

Alicia Olatuja - Vocal

Label: Blue Note