The guitar-based organ trio holds a special place in the history of jazz. Jimmy Smith with
Wes Montgomery; Jack McDuff with George Benson and Grant Green; Larry Young
with John McLaughlin; Tony William’s Lifetime—these are but a few exponents of an
idiom that ranges from straight-ahead jazz to blues, soul, rhythm and blues, and even
experimental. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer an organ trio? Of course. Modeski, Martin and
Wood? Sure. Even the instrumental funk of Booker T and the MG’s qualifies (who
wouldn’t have Duck Dunn as a fourth in their “trio?”)
Now from this fertile musical ground emerges the Los Angeles-based Electones to
embrace and further a fine tradition while simultaneously turning it on its ear.
The Electones are Mike Bolger, about whom no less than Downbeat has said, “Organist
Mike Bolger makes every solo an adventure;” Jason Myers, a guitarist’s guitarists who
teaches at Flea’s famous Silverlake Conservatory when he’s not serving as an inspiring
example of why guitar is worth studying; and Jason Pipkin, whose solid, explosive
drumming proves—once again—that a little bit of Texas is an important spice in any
musical stew.
Or would that be, “piece in any funky puzzle?” Because while the Electones heady
original compositions give plenty to think about, it's what happens from the neck down
that really sets them apart. To be blunt, if you can't dance to the Electones... you can't
dance. (And in that sad case, perhaps a blunt wouldn't hurt.)
The Electones are one of LA's best kept secrets, with a large local following and a
reputation for shows that make for fabulous nights—and less-than-fabulous next days at
work. Now that the Japanese, those perpetual discoverers, nurturers, and harbingers of the
original have discovered them, it may be time to give them up to the rest of the country
and the world.
Stand advised: when you hear them, you won't forget them.
