Jimmy McGriff
Jimmy McGriff was an influential American jazz and blues organist known for his hard bop and soul-jazz style. Born James Harrell McGriff on April 3, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he passed away on May 24, 2008, at age 72 from complications of multiple sclerosis. McGriff began playing piano at age five and later mastered vibes, alto sax, drums, upright bass, and eventually the Hammond B-3 organ, which he bought in 1956. He served as a military policeman during the Korean War and worked as a Philadelphia police officer for about two years after his discharge.
After leaving the police force, he studied music at Combe College in Philadelphia, Juilliard School in New York, and privately with organists like Milt Buckner, Jimmy Smith, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Sonny Gatewood. Initially a bassist for blues artists like Big Maybelle, he shifted focus to organ after being inspired by Holmes.
McGriff's breakthrough came with his 1962 hit "I've Got a Woman" on Sue Records, followed by "All About My Girl." He recorded prolifically from the 1960s through the 2000s on labels like Solid State, Blue Note, Capitol, Groove Merchant, and Milestone, collaborating with artists such as Hank Crawford, Buddy Rich, David "Fathead" Newman, and Bernard Purdie.
In the mid-1990s, he formed the "Dream Team" with Newman and Purdie, releasing albums like The Dream Team (1997), Straight Up (1998), and McGriff Avenue (2002). His soulful, gospel-infused organ sound bridged jazz, blues, and funk, earning chart success into the 1980s and beyond.
The Main Squeeze
Written-By – McGriff
4:15
A2 The Sermon
Written-By – J. Smith
3:03
A3 The Blues Train To Georgia
Written-By – McGriff
4:59
A4 Misty
Written-By – Garner, Burke
7:30
B1 The Main Squeeze
Written-By – McGriff
3:40
B2 GMI
Written-By – McGriff
4:45
B3 These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You
Written By – Link Strachey Marvell
5:22
B4 Stella By Starlight
Written By – Young Washington
4:24
Label: Groove Merchant – GM-534
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Jimmy McGriff's The Main Squeeze (1974) is widely regarded as a quintessentially soulful organ-jazz session from the Groove Merchant label. Critics and listeners generally describe it as a set of "solid grooves" that lean heavily into blues-based soul jazz.
Reviews on AllMusic describe the album as a collection of "short, sharp, and oh-so-sincere funk workouts". While some critics feel it stays within its comfort zone and never quite "boils over," it is praised for its controlled and skillful grooves.
High-energy numbers like the title track "The Main Squeeze" and the bluesy "The Blues Train To Georgia" are frequently cited as highlights. The soulful rendition of the standard "Misty" is also noted for its "tasty" lead-in.
The quartet features notable contributions from Jimmy Ponder on guitar, whose smooth and melodic tone is often singled out, and Connie Lester on saxophone.
Users on Discogs note that the album is recorded beautifully, with "plenty of air and space" for the instruments to shine. The bass is reported to be deep, and McGriff’s organ sounds "full and rich".
The album maintains a solid reputation among collectors, typically holding a 4 out of 5 star rating on enthusiast platforms.