Jazz Blog Special: Rahsaan Roland Kirk, 'Blacknuss'

Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Blacknuss” is the second stop on my holiday tour of funky jazz albums. Anyone who can turn Bread’s “Make It With You” into a sexy soul masterpiece is a god in my book. But if you’re a jazz fan, you already know Kirk was a jazz deity.

The album opens with Kirk using his breathy flute playing to rev up Bill Withers’ soul classic "Ain't No Sunshine" while guitarist Billy Butler and pianist Sonelius Smith retain the song’s slinky sway underneath.

On the next track, Kirk pays tribute to Marvin Gaye on “What’s Goin’ On” and Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecologist).” He races through the song on his tenor saxophone in a wild call and response with trumpeter Charles McGhee and trombonist Dick Griffin. When he’s not doing that, Kirk uses a police whistle to add to the funky chaos created by Bill Salter on bass, Bernard Purdie on drums, Arthur Jenkins on congas and cabassa, Joe Habad Texidor on percussion, Richard Tee on piano, Mickey Tucker on organ, and Cornell Dupree and Keith Loving on guitar.

The pace of “I Love You Ye I Do” is even more frenetic; Kirk sounds like Junior Walker on speed. And he adds a sassiness to “Never Can Say Goodbye” that the Jackson 5 were too young to understand when they recorded the tune.

Kirk opens “The Old Rugged Cross” with a powerful sermon before he starts softly testifying on his saxophone. Before long, though, Kirk starts blasting his praises. It’s enough to make a long-time sinner return to the church.

“Blacknuss,” which includes Kirk’s chant-like singing, accompanied by Cissy Houston’s arresting gospel vocals, is the album’s closing tune and its centerpiece. The song’s both funky and mystical and makes you want to break out the incense that’s buried in a box somewhere in your basement.

The album’s a jazz classic and the perfect way to funk up your holiday season.

(Jazz Blog Special is a regular feature that examines older jazz albums worth checking out.)