Don Wilkerson - Preach Brother! (1962/2019)

Recorded after Elder Don but released before that album, Preach, Brother! finds Don Wilkerson in top form, running through a set of hard-driving soul-jazz, R&B, swing, hard bop and blues. Supported by pianist Sonny Clark, guitarist Grant Green, bassist Butch Warren and drummer Billy Higgins, Wilkerson works up a hot groove on each of these six songs, which are mainly instrumental. His playing is vigorous and aggressive on the uptempo blues and shuffles, and surprisingly nimble on the ballads. Clark and Green match their leader with alternately forceful and sensitive accompaniment and solos, and the rhythm section keeps a steady, attractive groove. The result is another fine record that proves Wilkerson was one of the best, hardest-hitting soul-jazz saxophonists of the early '60s.