Beyond The Reef – EARL GRANT****

Beyond The Reef/When Sunny Gets Blue/Tender Is The Night/The Very Thought Of You/Yellow Bird/Angel Eyes/ Mood Indigo/The Second Time Around/Make Someone Happy/Swingin’ Gently/Londonderry Air/Climb Ev’ry Mountain

On Beyond The Reef Hammond organist and vocalist Earl Grant reprises the formula of his earlier hit album performing standards in an easy listening jazz style. (US:17)

“If you like Hammond organ recordings this is one of the best. Earl Grant is wonderful on these standards. If you haven't heard him do yourself a favour and try this one.”

“He was the ultimate lounge lizard Hammond organist. Beyond The Reef is one of his best exotica albums complete with Hammond organ, wind effects and the best bird calls. His back up musicians playing sax, string bass, drum set and guitar are all top notch players as well. The ballads are ultra smooth and slow. His blues and jazz are super also. Give this great artist a try, you won't regret it.”

“His style is more of an easy-listening jazz sometimes peppered with 'exotica' effects, but even on these tunes it's not as kitschy as it could get. He does well combining Hammond and piano as well.”

“Grant was a good player and arranger, his arrangement of Angel Eyes is haunting.”

“His organ playing is as good as it gets, and to this day, he is the king of jazz-pop.”

“Many organist were overshadowed by Jimmy Smith and his followers. What many people don't see is that there are different styles of music. Jimmy and his clones play hard bop, whereas Earl Grant had a smoother more relaxing style.”

“It's utterly amazing how Earl navigates his way through the music, playing both the organ and piano at the same time.”

“The smooth melodic voice combined with his mastery of the organ is haunting and wonderful. Mr. Grant had a style all his own. Original and never duplicated.”