Lou Donaldson – Alligator Bogaloo (LP, Blue Note)

Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson scored a hit with Alligator Bogaloo, the jaunty and memorable lead cut and title track of his 1967 soul jazz classic, but the album brims with funky grooves from start to finish with the breezy Aw Shucks, rollicking Rev. Moses, and the sinuous minimalism of One Cylinder. Alligator Bogaloo marked the beginning of a fruitful and long-running collaboration between Lou and organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith, with the stellar band also featuring the young guitar star George Benson, influential drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad), and cornetist Melvin Lastie. This Blue Note 80 Vinyl Edition is all-og, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.