Melvin Rhyne Albums (9)
'Front and Center'
Release Date 2/20/2007
Tracks 11
Label Criss Cross
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Tomorrow Yesterday Today'
Release Date 5/10/2004
Tracks 10
Label Criss Cross (Netherlands)
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Organist Melvin Rhyne's sixth Criss Cross release, Classmasters, finds him once again in the hard swinging company of guitarist Peter Bernstein, saxophonist Eric Alexander, and drummer Kenny Washington. These musicians breeze through two cuts a piece by Michel Legrand and Mccoy Tyner, along with the compositions of Coltrane, Monk, Stanley Turrentine, Billie Holiday, and Cole Porter. "The Rhyne Original Rhyne, Rhythm and Song" rounds out this modern blues and bebop set. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Quiet intensity personified...if that is the way you like your jazz, specifically your organ combos, then Rhyne is your B-3 main man and this is his shining hour in a tribute to his now legendary bandmate, the late guitarist Wes Montgomery. Everything on this CD is ultimately appealing -- its sound, immaculate vision, unabashed groove, scholarly repertoire, controlled urgency, faithfulness to Wes, and the staunch individualism of Rhyne, guitarist Royce Campbell and drummer Killer Ray Appleton, all at their very best. Rhyne even stretches his legato phrases longer than usual like Larry Young; Campbell is out-and-out inspired and pristine in his approach, while Appleton is much more than a timekeeper, playing with the time while never losing it. You get seven of Montgomery's signature tunes, the big numbers included are an even-tempered "Jingles," the cookin' "Cariba" and boppin' "Geno," bro Buddy Montgomery's immortal "Bock to Bock" and the three standards "Days of Wine and Roses," "For All We Know" and "Yesterdays." Campbell contributes two dedications: the molasses-slow ballad "I Remember Wes," with the guitarist digging into a mix of chords with single lines (exactly like Wes), and "Wes," a midtempo blues with a quirky, head-nodding melody and small sparks flying. Upon repeated listenings, this record grows even more into your heart. Patience, style, elegance, grace, deep blue soul, sincerity, and maybe a pinprick of remorse or sorrow...all parts of a greater whole that made Wes and Mel the great musicians we know them to be, and the reasons they are so influential to this day. It's hard to top perfection, and this is a perfect recording. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
'Stick to the Kick'
Release Date 11/4/1997
Tracks 9
Label Criss Cross
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
On his fourth Criss Cross release, organist Melvin Rhyne is joined by trumpeter Ryan Kisor, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Kenny Washington to perform six Rhyne originals, two jazz classics, and one standard, the beautiful ballad "Laura," a feature for Alexander's tenor sax. Best known for a stint with Wes Montgomery during the late '50s and early '60s, Rhyne displays an understated but distinctive organ sound and strong basslines, complementing the youthful energy that Kisor and Alexander bring to the session. Bernstein and Washington are veterans of Rhyne's other three Criss Cross releases, two of them by the trio, resulting in what could be a great working group. Other favorites include "J. Robin," a medium swinger that alternates between funk and Latin feels in the head, "Captain McDuff," a medium shuffle written in tribute to fellow organist Jack McDuff, Bud Powell's aptly titled "Wail" (taken at a blazing tempo), and the relaxed groove of "It's Love." This is a welcome addition to Rhyne's growing discography. ~ Greg Turner, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Mel Rhyne, best known for his association in the 1960s with Wes Montgomery, re-emerged with this Criss Cross CD as one of the finest jazz organists around. He is matched with guitarist Peter Bernstein, drummer Kenny Washington, and young tenor great Joshua Redman for a set of good-natured and often hard-swinging performances. In addition to superior versions of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" and "Jeannine," the quartet explores lesser-known songs such as Hubert Laws' "Shades of Light," Stevie Wonder's "You and I," and Mel Torme's "Born to Be Blue." The music is consistently stimulating and swinging. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Mel Rhyne is best known as Wes Montgomery's organist on and off in the late 1950s and '60s. He led few dates of his own until his rediscovery in the 1990s, so the CD reissue of this early jam session is quite welcome. Rhyne leads an all-star sextet that also includes trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, pianist Gene Harris (the piano and organ work quite well together), bassist Andy Simpkins, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Each of the four basic tunes are at least eight-and-a-half minutes long, with all but one exceeding ten-and-a-half minutes. However, with four strong soloists, the music never slows down or loses its momentum. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
