On drummer Cecil Brooks III’s Savant debut he is joined by tenor saxophonist Don Braden, alto saxophonist Bruce Williams, trumpeter Riley Mullins, and organist Radam Schwartz to perform ten originals by the group members, two pop songs, and a ballad medley. While Brooks is a modern hard bop drummmer in the tradition of Art Blakey, he chooses to stay in the background for most of this recording, while Schwartz plays strong basslines that are essential to creating the groove that is this recording’s focus. Favorites include the soulful finger poppin’ grooves of “I Get Lonely,” a pop hit for Janet Jackson; “Can We Talk,” a pop hit for Tevin Campbell; the exotic grooves of “Browne James” and “Lakumbe’s Theme”; and the up-tempo burning grooves of “Swamp Run” and “Hill District.” This is different from the bop, blues, and ballads that most organ-based groups play, which makes it an enjoyable listening experience. – Greg Turner