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Johnny Iguana; keyboards, the late “Big D” Erickson and John Paul Drum on harmonica, Mickey
Munoz and the late Rob Lorenz; drums, Greg Hopkins; trumpet.

All the thirteen original numbers here are composed by Mike. ‘Cruisin’ Kansas City’, is the
opener and it is a splendidly swinging and grooving instrumental, the rich swinging guitar is
backed by a scorching, punchy organ. The opening, swinging saxophone on ‘Lose Your Rings,
Keep Your Fingers’, really gets you in the mood as this tale of a break-up is energetically
underpinned by fast paced drum work and seriously popping organ. ‘Humpty Dumpty’, is a toe
tapping boogie, with a swirling saxophone taking the lead and a mean stinging guitar and
pulsating organ in serious support.

‘Golden Rule’, is a slow blues shuffle featuring a laidback guitar and organ, while a very fine
harmonica slowly singes and burns as it weaves in and out. The gospel flavoured ‘Help
Somebody’, has a church organ led feel, with subtle guitar and saxophone in the background,
they slowly rise, leading to a very exuberant stomping finish. ‘Hollow Man’, is a straight down
the line toe tapping Chicago influenced blues. ‘Two Young To Be Old’, is another Chicago
shuffler, the popping organ leads the way, with splendid guitar interjections throughout.

‘Loose With The Truth’, is an enjoyably slinky late night shuffler, featuring a splendidly swinging
trumpet leading throughout. ‘Missouri Boy’, is a rockabilly guitar influenced groover with
definite touches of Mr. Berry. ‘Running Song’, is a tramping tale about “the rat race”, that is
sadly, everyday life. Things slow down a bit with the sadness inducing R&B ballad ‘The One’, a
mournful tenor saxophone leads the way with a sympathetic guitar not far behind. The tale of
heartbreak on ‘Dangerous Game’ features some seriously emotion filled richly cutting guitar
work, with hints of the Rolling Stones at their darkest. ‘Kansas City Grease’, is a mournful slow
blues instrumental dedicated to the late Lorenz and Erickson who both played on this number.

Very nice!

Brian Harman

Arlen Roth & Jerry Jemmott—Super Soul Session!—Blue
Heart Records BHR 049

Born in the Bronx, New York in 1946, Jerry Jemmott eventually
became known as “The Groovemaster”. He started performing
at the age of five, starting as a tap dancer with Mary Bruce’s Star
Buds, in Harlem. Later he found his way to prominence on
acoustic bass with Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers and the
Mercer Ellington Orchestra. He switched to electric bass in 1964
and developed his musical skills leading to eventually joining
many of his heroes in the recording studios of New York City.

He was discovered by Rhythm 'n Blues/Jazz saxophonist King
Curtis and was invited to become a member of King Curtis and his Kingpins. He has worked in
the studio with artists such as; Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King and many others. Despite
suffering a brain injury he has continued to play, gaining two Grammy Awards. He is the
recipient of the Bass Player 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award; and became Chairman of the
Electric Bass Department of The Richard Davis Foundation For Young Bassists Inc. and also on
the Advisory Board of 144 Music and Arts. Org. Arlen Roth was born in the Bronx, New York,
Arlen quickly got turned on to the guitar at the age of 9, and was encouraged by his father, New
Yorker Magazine cartoonist, Al Ross.