Larry Young
Into Somethin’ (180Gm)

Hammond organ maestro Larry Young’s Blue Note debut ‘Into Something’ was recorded on 12th November 1964. It features a quartet with Elvin Jones on drums, Grant Green on guitar and Sam Rivers on tenor saxophone. The album commences with an intriguing piece named after Young’s then five-year old son ‘Tyrone’. It is in 6/8 time, which gives it an off-key feel, though it flows naturally enough. Young and Green are typically fluid, whilst Rivers sinewy tenor weaves a spell. All the time Jones plays with the intensity he did whilst with Coltrane. Green’s ‘Plaza De Toros’ is the album’s standout track. The Spanish/ Moorish influence permeates the track, whilst the soloists improvise and extend themselves musically. Young’s Hammond lines flood from the instrument at an astonishing rate. Inspired by an impending visit, the pretty ‘Paris Eyes’ is a bright and bubbly tribute to the city that fizzes. The more intricate ‘Backup’ shows the explorative side to Young’s musical persona that would emerge in later Blue Note recordings. The fourth Young composition ‘Ritha’ ends the album with another intriguing piece. It shows Young’s harmonic inventiveness and ear for a melody as well as dexterous finger work. Along with its follow-up ‘Unity’, ‘Into Something’ is Larry Young at his finest.