Joe Thomas

4 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

While not reaching the same heights of Joe Thomas' previous Ebony Godfather LP, the aptly titled Joy of Cookin' boasts a comparable deep-fried funk flavor, fusing the style and sensibility of blaxploitation-era soundtracks with the formal ingenuity of jazz. Horace Ott's big, bold arrangements nicely complement Thomas' sweet, fluttery flute, which navigates in and out of the melodies with the grace of a monarch butterfly. Guitarist Jimmy Ponder and organist Jiggs Chase shine as well, contributing much to the session's overall joie de vivre. The highlight is a blistering cover of "Thank You (Fall Etin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)" that does Sly Stone proud. - Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

PERSONNEL:

ERNIE ROYAL, trumpet
GARNETT BROWN, trombone
JOE THOMAS, fute, vocals
SELDON POWELL, tenor sax
ARTHUR F. CLARKE, baritone sax
DAVID SOPINOZZA, guitar
GORSON EDWARDS, bass
BILL LAVORGNA, drums
SPECS POWELL, conga
HORACE OTT ( arranger)

New York,1972

TRACKS:

01. Joyful Joyful
02. Down Home
03. Chile Con Carmen
04. Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself Again)
05. Soul Sermon
06. Mike
07. Dr. Ritota