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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine