by Scott Yanow
This CD reissue of a Prestige date is one of the few successful examples of jazz musicians from the late '60s taking a few rock and pop songs and turning them into creative jazz. Organist Charles Earland and his sextet, which includes trumpeter Virgil Jones, Houston Person, on tenor and guitarist Melvin Sparks, perform a variation of &Eleanor Rigby& titled &Black Talk,& two originals, a surprisingly effective rendition of &Aquarius,& and a classic rendition of &More Today Than Yesterday.& Fans of organ combos are advised to pick up this interesting set.