Odell Brown

Adding a new wrinkle to the standard organ combo, Odell Brown & the Organ-izers employed two saxophonists with no guitarist on the scene of Raising the Roof. While this sets the Chicago quartet apart from many of their 1966 contemporaries, it also pushes Brown's Hammond organ too far into the background. The band smokes on their originals, especially Brown's "Raising the Roof," which utilizes saxophonists Artee Duke Payne and Thomas Purvis to their best degree, with each stretching out the notes in the song's intro before playing off one another while Brown and drummer Curtis Prince keep the groove tight. Payne's "Enchilada Joe" also stands out with its Latin rhythm, playful banter, and staccato melody lines. The promise of the originals pales during standards like "The Honeydripper" and "Strike up the Band," but there are worse ways to spend a half-hour. ~ Kurt Edwards, All Music Guide