BST 84365

Reuben Wilson - A Groovy Situation

Released - 1971

Recording and Session Information

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, September 18, 1970
Earl Turbinton, alto sax; Reuben Wilson, organ; Eddie Diehl, guitar; Harold White, drums.

6821 Signed, Sealed And Delivered, I'm Yours

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, September 25, 1970
Earl Turbinton, alto sax; Reuben Wilson, organ; Eddie Diehl, guitar; Harold White, drums.

6820 Happy Together
6816 While The World Lies Waiting
6818 If You Let Me Make Love To You Then Why Can't I Touch You (From "Salvation")
6819 A Groovy Situation
6817 Sweet Tooth

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
While the World Lies Waiting	Reuben Wilson	September 25 1970
Sweet Tooth	Reuben Wilson	September 25 1970
(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?	Charles Courtney, Peter Link	September 25 1970
Side Two
A Groovy Situation	Herman Davis, Russell R. Lewis	September 25 1970
Happy Together	Gary Bonner, Alan Gordon	September 25 1970
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours	Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Syreeta Wright, Lula Mae Hardaway	September 18 1970

Liner Notes

My first meeting with Reuben Wilson was at a plush hotel in Windsor, Ontario, preceding a concert in which he was appearing in Detroit. As I was introduced to him by Mrs. Rita White, a Detroit promoter, I immediately noticed that he was strikingly reserved and quiet. This was in contrast to the image I had assumed from reading a profile on Reuben and knowing that at one time he was a contender for the State of California boxing title. I also read that he had a role in the motion picture Carmen Jones. But, at this first encounter, he appeared somewhat nervous, coupled with a look of wonderment. This was in 1969 at his premiere performance in the Motor City. He left an impression.

Reuben returned in Concert November, 1970. Seeing him backstage at the Auditorium. I again noticed his quiet manner. Ironically, on both occasions, when the curtain opened for his act, it became apparent that the subtle way of Reuben Wilson is self-confidence. The self-confidence of an organist who knows his thing is together. He came to entertain...he did.

This is A Groovy Situation, the fourth Blue Note release for Reuben. Previous albums are On Broadway (4295), Love Bug (4317) and Blue Mode (4343).

At the onset, it appeared that Reuben was just another face in the crowd, caught in the traffic at a multitude of organists, all staring into the sun, reaching out, each seeking his own identity.

This modern music world has become saturated with the organ sound. Many organists have passed through musical portals, many drifted back into oblivion. Only a few reached a plateau of consistent acceptance. Only a handful can be related to as being successful.

I smile with admiration as I think back to Reuben's earlier collections and compare them with the music herein. I conclude that he's come a long way in a short time. I bear witness to the determination and progress of his aspiring talent. Reuben has maintained his style, yet improved with each chapter of music.

I predicted two years ago that Reuben Wilson would come into his own as a recognized musician, and with the acceptance he's received. I sincerely feel that he now stands on the threshold of success. Success could well be A Groovy Situation.

This brings us to date. I'll purposely obstain from giving an in-depth personal description of Reuben's music contained within this album. I contend that this is the artist's reserved privilege. I will say that I feel the recording was tremendously successful. "The days were right and the group was up for the sessions." Reuben said. "Everything seemed to fall in place." All signs point toward success.

My picks of the tunes are the title track "A Groovy Situation m and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours." "Happy Together" is understandably Reuben's favorite. Also, check out "Sweet Tooth," a product of Reuben's writing abilities. All selections are together are saying something. This album brings to you contemporary music at its best. Music that's happening now. Put together with style and good taste.

I spoke with Reuben via telephone prior to beginning these notes and beyond a doubt he was extremely happy regarding this release. To you, Reuben Wilson, your joys are justified. You created the situation. It's groovy.

In closing, I would highly recommend this man and his music both personally and through my small professional facet. Now, Hear!

BILL JOHNSON
(WCHD-FM)
DETROIT, MICH.

75th Anniversary Reissue Notes

Reuben Wilson's fourth Blue Note album, recorded on September 18 and 25, 1970, again featured his working band which at the time had the legendary Earl Turbinton on alto sax. Earl was the brother of New Orleans R&B legend Willie Tee and was in New York working with cutting edge artists like Joe Zawinul and Woody Shaw.

The rest of Reuben's group on his second-to-last Blue Note session are just as notable. The remarkable guitarist Eddie Diehl working through the mid '60s with Jack McDuff, George Braith and Johnny Hammond Smith before landing Wilson's band in 1970. Drummer Harold White was a ubiquitous presence on the '70s New York scene working with Ray Bryant, Gary Bartz, Roswell Rudd, Eddie Jefferson and Joe Carroll among others in the '70s.

This was the fourth of Reuben Wilson's five albums for Blue Note. The fifth "Set Us Free" featured a lot more musicians and more production but it failed to catapult Reuben into a higher sales bracket. He left Blue Note to make three albums for Groove Merchant and ultimately found widespread success as a member of The Fatback Band in the late '70s and with Guru in the '80s. His deep funk roots have been highly appreciated as the extraordinary amount of samples from his Blue Note albums have dotted the Hip Hop landscape.