Founded in 1971, Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant label was pretty far removed from what was going on in jazz at the beginning of that decade. Fusion, black power, spiritual jazz and ECM were all happening elsewhere. Maybe that's what makes it so much fun. Groove Merchant was content to serve up sweaty, funky party jazz, brimming with flute blowouts, wicked guitar and miles of Hammond B3 soul. Thrown in some softcore cover art, and you've got something cooking. Lester's short-lived label had grooves to spare. Call it a case of truth in advertising . . .
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