Notes:
Time was a mention of Mike Clark’s name would bring an immediate association with his role as the innovative jazz funk rhythm wizard from Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters band--and, later, simply, The Headhunters. While in the early 80’s his work with British cult fusion rockers Brand X brought another devoted fan base, as did his brief but raucous foray into the jam band scene with his popular Prescription Renewal efforts (which featured a revolving cast of jam band stars--Charlie Hunter, DJ Logic, Skerik, Robert Walter--mingling with such R&B legends as Fred Wesley and George Porter) for a long time the ever versatile drummer has just as likely been identified with his playing in the last 3 decades in some of the hottest acoustic jazz settings, captured on recordings such as his last critically acclaimed Blueprints of Jazz, Volume 1.

Blueprints placed in Downbeat’s Best Recordings of the Decade, and that 4 1/2 star review--which his other efforts Give the Drummer Some, Summertime and The Funk Stops Here also garnered--established Mike as a solid bandleader with a knack for picking infectious material and some of the baddest musicians in the business.

Today with his most recent release, Carnival of Soul, Clark continues to astound us in his role as musical zeitgeist. He’s put together some music with a little help from his friends--old friends, new friends, a couple of fellow legends, brilliant musicians all--and builds upon the tradition of the organ trio--a tradition Mike traces to some of his earliest inspirations as a professional musician.

Having played with some of the heroes of the B3 such as Bill Doggett, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith, Mike has an ear for that authentic sound and has assembled three of his personal favorite organ players to anchor this merry-go-round.

“I love organ music. One of my earliest regular gigs in an organ trio was with a guy on organ named Arnie Young. We did four nights and a Sunday afternoon. Organs give you that big sound, and as a drummer you can play as hard as you want and the music takes it, in fact requires it. Plus it swings like a big dog.”


Artist Roster:
Mike Clark: drums
Lenny White: drums
Rob Dixon: tenor saxophone
Tim Ouimette: trumpet
Steve Homan: guitar
Rez Abbasi: guitar
Delbert Bump: organ
Jerry Z: organ
Jeff Pittson: organ and keyboards
Kevin McKendree: piano
Delbert McClinton: vocals


Track Listing:
1. T's Boogaloo
2. Monk's Dream
3. Cry Me A River
4. Water On the Moon
5. Turok Son of Stone
6. Angel Eyes
7. Bookin'
8. Zoyd
9. Run Straight Down
10. Catlett Outta the Bag



Reviews:

Clark has us salivating at the sight of his drum sticks - Jazz Times

Clark is every bit as comfortable playing straightahead jazz as he is mining the deepest of grooves. - All About Jazz