Nelson's Funk-Fusion Deep Dive
A funkier, more electric Nelson than his Blue Note work, built for dancing and grooving.
Skull Session hits you with tight, syncopated grooves and electric keyboards that place it squarely in mid-1970s fusion territory. This is Oliver Nelson leaning into funk and contemporary R&B textures rather than the hard-bop sophistication of his earlier work. The rhythm section locks tight, horns punctuate rather than soar, and there's a deliberate forward momentum that feels made for a club or a late-night radio slot. It's funkier than anything Nelson recorded for Blue Note, with electric piano and bass driving the agenda instead of acoustic swing.
By 1975, Nelson had moved beyond the arranger-composer role that defined records like Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage (1965), where he was orchestrating behind soloists. Here he's leading his own band into grittier, more contemporary waters. The Flying Dutchman label was home to plenty of soul-jazz and funk fusion at the time, and Skull Session fits that aesthetic squarely. Nelson doesn't abandon his arranging instincts—every track is tightly constructed—but the goal is rhythm and pocket, not extended soloing or modal exploration.
This is a late-career record, and it matters precisely because Nelson was willing to chase the sound of his moment rather than rest on what had worked before. It won't satisfy listeners looking for the elegance of his 1960s Blue Note sessions, but that's the point. Skull Session captures Nelson as an adaptable professional musician, proving he could navigate a funkier, more electric landscape without losing his compositional clarity.
Who's playing
Chuck Domanicobass
Maurice Spearsbass trombone
Lonnie Liston Smithpiano
Mike Woffordharpsichord, piano, synthesizer
Dennis Budimirguitar
Lee Ritenourguitar
Laurindo Almeidaguitar
William Greentenor saxophone
Oliver Nelsonalto saxophone
Oscar Brashearflugelhorn, trumpet
Bobby Bryantflugelhorn, trumpet
Buddy Childerstrumpet
Paul Hubinontrumpet
Grover Mitchelltrombone
Richard Nashtrombone
Chauncey Welschtrombone
Jim Gordondrums
Shelly Mannedrums, percussion
Willie Bobopercussion
Buddy Collettewoodwind
Bill Perkinsreeds
Jerome Richardsonwoodwind
Vincent DeRosaFrench horn
Bud Shankwoodwind
Don Waldroptuba
John J. Kelson, Jr.reeds
Where next?
More by Oliver Nelson
The Blues and the Abstract Truth 1961
More Blues and the Abstract Truth 1961
Oliver Nelson Plays Michelle 1966
Taking Care of Business 1960
The musicians on this record
Loveland 1978
Lonnie Liston Smith
plays piano here
plays piano here
The Drum Sessions 1975
Shelly Manne
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
Bobo Motion 1967
Willie Bobo
plays percussion here
plays percussion here
