Grant Green - His Majesty, King Funk

A superlative guitarist in the beginning, Green’s talents faded on later recordings as a result of his drug use and its influence on related illnesses. His Majesty, King Funk was thankfully recorded before the decline set in, however, and his distinct Charlie Parkerstyle playing (Parker was Green’s biggest influence) sees him comfortable playing across blues, soul and jazz. With the assistance of Larry Young on organ, Harold Vick on sax, Ben Dixon on drums and Candido Camero on conga, it’s the only album he recorded for Verve, and the last real soulinfluenced jazz album Green recorded before his work took an unsatisfying commercial bent. While not the best album he ever recorded, it’s still recommended for takes on Willow Weep For Me and That Lucky Old Sun.