King Curtis employed a powerhouse lineup on
Everybody's Talkin', including soul-jazz luminaries
Bernard Purdie,
Cornell Dupree, Billy Butler,
Billy Preston, and
the Memphis Horns. As can be expected, the tunes here are relatively indicative of the times and range from greasy Southern ballads to more funky material. Among the highlights are the slow, loping funk of "If I Were a Carpenter" (which sounds like any number of
Pete Rock's mid-song interludes), the title track, and the near identical cover of
King Floyd's "Groove Me." Best of all, though, is "Ridin' Thumb" which appears both in vocal and instrumental form. The vocal version begins the second side of the LP and is clearly the most worthy single on the album. The instrumental, on the other hand, bookends the set (as well as the side) and is very clearly the rest of the vocal take after
Curtis switched from vocals to tenor sax. Seeing as the musicians were already well into the groove by the time the instrumental half of the tune kicks in, the argument can be made that "Ridin' Thumb-Jam" is the is the funkier of the two and a fine example of soul-jazz at its best. Recommended for fans of the genre. ~ Brandon Burke