13th Floor Elevators

The one and only album we’ve ever seen from The 13th Floor – a hip little combo from St Louis, produced here by Oliver Sain in a great blend of jazz, soul, and funk!

There’s a depth here that goes way beyond the average outing of this type – as the group clearly have some sort of an ear for more spiritual jazz, yet are also comfortable working in a more focused, groove-based mode too!

Saxophonist Lionel Greene is at the head of the group, and also sings a bit – but our favorite tracks are the instrumental ones, played by the combo in a sweet, tight blend of guitar, bass, drums, and sax. There’s a nicely compressed groove here that almost hits some spacious Roy Ayers styles at times – but the overall sound is much more varied, and even hits some harder funk moments from time to time too, letting the guitar and bass step out more than the sax.

PERSONNEL:

• Donnell Wade - (drums)
• Vincent Martin - (guitar)
• Mitch Wadley - (bass)
• Lionel Greene - (sax, lead vocals)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Sweet Thang
• A2. Teffany
• A3. Time And Place
• A4. Hang Loose
• A5. Steppin' Out

• SIDE B
• B1. Sweet Lovely Girl
• B2. Get Up
• B3. Leanin'
• B4. Rise