by Paula Edelstein
Brotherly Love is &Brother& Jack McDuff's final recording session, and features Red Holloway and Pat Martino, both of whom were integral members of his popular '60s group. Recorded just months before his sudden death in 2001, McDuff pulls out all the stops on nine great tracks with phenomenal Hammond B-3 artistry. Two bonus tracks feature previously unreleased material that spotlights McDuff with his protégé, Joey DeFrancesco, sharing in the brotherly love. Six originals and three standards brim with McDuff's trademark soul and blues chops, all sharing stories in a language the entire world can understand -- the blues. &Hot Barbecue& and &Georgia& are sure standouts, while the &live& recordings, &Pork Chops and Pasta& and &Rock Candy,& add another level of excitement to this great recording. On the &live& tracks, McDuff and DeFrancesco together display their staggering Hammond B-3 organ techniques and their love of the blues and jazz that made them a presence on the soul-jazz scene. &Brother& Jack McDuff was a true soul-jazz man, and Brotherly Love captures the essence of the strong musical path he forged for more than 50 years.