Soul Jazz Pulse, Turned Up Loud
A funky, groove-heavy record that leaned into the soul jazz sound McCann helped define.
Pump It Up arrived in the late 1970s, a period when McCann's name was more firmly attached to his earlier soul jazz successes than to any single new breakthrough. The record did not land as a major critical event, and it was never a commercial blockbuster. Its reputation grew more slowly, built largely among listeners who followed McCann's catalog closely and collectors drawn to the funk and soul jazz of the era.
What makes the album worth hearing is its groove. McCann keeps the rhythm section locked in a loose, dance-ready pocket, and the horn and guitar parts add punch without cluttering the arrangements. The record sounds like a working band having fun, more concerned with feel than with anything grand or conceptual. It is a solid example of late-period soul jazz, and it rewards listeners who enjoy the funkier side of his output.
As a place to start with McCann, this is not the obvious choice. Listeners new to his work would be better served by Swiss Movement (1969), which captures his most celebrated collaborative energy. Pump It Up is for fans who already appreciate his groove-driven style and want more of it.
Who's playing
Paul Jackson, Jr.guitar
Keith Andersonsaxophone
Tom Savianoalto saxophone
William Churchvilletrumpet
Paulinho da Costatrumpet
Ricky PetersonHammond organ
