The Players

Lucius Bell, JR.

Theresa Davis

Edward Green

Ken Gueno

Stephan 'Stone' Harris

Thomas Kini

Corky McClerkin

Artee 'Duke' Payne

Dr. Curtis Prince

Bernard Reed

Curtis Robinson

Ellen Samuels

Reginah Walton

Byron Woods

Reviews

That list of reasons to keep the old turntable with its expensive stylus has shrunk once again, because the classic debut album, Searchin’ For The Soul, from Chicago pianist/composer Corky McClerkin has been digitized and released on compact disc. Thanks to Soul Jazz Records’ inclusion of the title song, Searchin’ For The Soul on its 1996 compilation CD entitled “London Jazz Classics”, European jazz enthusiasts were introduced to Corky McClerkin’s “soul jazz” piano.

His most recent collection of songs, Island of Dreams, shows off McClerkin’s prowess at walking both sides of the acoustic and smooth jazz lines. His first effort, Searchin’ (recorded almost two decades ago), traces the roots of the keyboardist’s duality.

Chicago was way ahead of the curb as far as mixing rhythm and blues and jazz together. Long before there was something called smooth jazz, there was a tremendous – yet hard to describe – energy among jazz musicians who mixed funk and soul in their music. Ramsey Lewis has it. Chaka Khan has it. The late Art Porter had it. It is a groove that was evident back in the 70’s when many an R & B artist incorporated jazz harmonies into his music. Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, Earth, Wind & Fire and many more captured that Windy City vibe and prescribed it in their art. That was the lake McClerkin was swimming in when he included some of the City’s finest talent in his recording in 1982.

Searchin’ For The Soul can also be used as a means to measure McClerkin’s growth as a composer. Considering the music in his subsequent albums (including his second, The Power of One) what is most obvious is that the man has musically matured and become more dominant and confident as a jazz pianist.

On Searchin’ For The Soul, he was obviously paying more attention to the electric side of things. Of the eight tunes, only three can be considered straight ahead. All of them, “Jive Mama T”, “Open Wide”, and “Off C”, are superbly crafted tunes that are dominated by the searing saxophone of Duke Payne.

In retrospect, it appears that Corky is somewhat overshadowed. However, today you can hear the driving force of his music. He is a much more solid player today. This disc is worth a hearing. An added bonus is the five-star performance of Duke Payne.

A bigger strength for McClerkin in those days seems to have been that of Production. With the exception of one track, “Passion,” none of the pop-oriented jazz tunes sound dated. Even the playful Mirror, Mirror, with its disco residue (remember this is 1982) sounds as if it could get a few booties shaking in our 21st Century smooth and acid jazz worlds.

The only cover on Searchin’ For The Soul, is an exquisite arrangement of the Bernard Ighner classic, Everything Must Change, featuring Theresa Davis. Much like the original version, recorded by Quincy Jones, McClerkin’s vision of the song has distinctive movements. Ms. Davis wrings every emotional nuance of the lyric in the ballad’s first section, before Bernard Reed’s booming bass signals a funky change that leads into one of McClerkin’s finest solos on the record.

Vocalist, Byron Woods adds a special flavor with his vocal arrangements, while shining brightly on the gospel-tinged title track. However, Davis is the gem. Like another great Chicago vocalist before her, Minnie Riperton, she displays a startling operatic range that is drenched with soul.

Much like McClerkin, Davis remains an underrated artist in her hometown. The pianist though has taken great professional strides over the years to correct that oversight. And, as Searchin’ For The Soul demonstrates, his giant talent has always been there to enjoy. But, my how he has grown!

Mark Ruffin

mruffin@jazzusa.com