Conrad Herwig
Obligation
Criss Cross Jazz

Soul-jazz lives! Accomplished trombonist Herwig takes a decidely different path in following up last year's Que Viva Coltrane with a set a 7 originals cast in the mode of the classic '60s B3-fueled romps by the likes of Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. Aided by Seamus Blake on tenor and soprano, Kyle Koehler on Hammond B3 organ, Gene Jackson on drums, and the fine guitarist Mark Whitfield - this ensemble's coup de grace - Herwig delivers an album that holds its own with the classics of an earlier era, never sounding too studied and always swinging. Obligation is just the record to check out if you've been (heaven forbid!) growing tired of your old 1960s Blue Note records. -- Michael Fortes