Memphis Underground is a 1969 album by jazz flutist Herbie Mann, that fuses the genres of jazz and rhythm and blues (R&B). While Mann and the other principal soloists (Roy Ayers, Larry Coryell and Sonny Sharrock) were leading jazz musicians, the album was recorded in Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, a studio used by many well-known R&B and pop artists. The rhythm section was the house band at American Studios. The recording was engineered and produced by Tom Dowd.
Three of the five songs on the album were covers of songs originally released by soul artists. "Hold On, I'm Comin'" (by Sam & Dave), who recorded at Stax records (with the Stax rhythm section), and "Chain of Fools" (by Aretha Franklin) who recorded that song with the classic Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Two members of the rhythm section on Franklin's recording (Gene Chrisman and Tommy Cogbill) perform on Memphis Underground.Lady Soul Lady Soul album, by Aretha Franklin
A third song, "New Orleans", was also released by R&B artist (Gary U.S. Bonds), who recorded in Virginia.
So though the only one song was certifiably of Memphis vintage, the conglomeration of young New York jazz musicians with one of the most storied Southern rhythm sections proved to be the catalyst for creating strong, fresh music that sounds like neither Memphis soul nor New York jazz. This unique sound appealed to a large audience.
Reception The record is one of the best-selling Jazz albums of all time. Rolling Stone said "Memphis Underground is a piece of musical alchemy, a marvelously intricate combination of the "Memphis sound" and jazz lyricism".Winner, L., Rolling Stone, July 12, 1969, p.38
Memphis Underground was a favorite album of writer Hunter S. Thompson, who mentions it positively in several chapters of his book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. In the article The Battle of Aspen, Thompson states that his "Freak Power" campaign used Mann's recording of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" as the background music for their commercials.
Another writer, the British author Stewart Home, as a tribute to this Mann album, titled his 2007 novel (some call it an antinovel) Memphis Underground. In the novel, Home makes multiple references to soul, northern soul and jazz soul music.
Track listing "Memphis Underground" (Herbie Mann) — 7:07 "New Orleans" (Frank Guida, Joseph Royster) — 2:07 "Hold On, I'm Comin'" (Isaac Hayes, David Porter) — 8:52 "Chain of Fools" (Don Covay) — 10:42 "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Traditional, arranged by Herbie Mann) — 7:12
Personnel Herbie Mann – flute Reggie Young – guitar Bobby Emmons – organ Bobby Wood – electric and acoustic piano Gene Chrisman – drums Tommy Cogbill or Mike Leech - Fender bass (individual tracks not specified)
Also appearing on selected tracks: Roy Ayers – vibes, conga on "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and “Memphis Underground.” Larry Coryell – guitar Sonny Sharrock – guitar Miroslav Vitouš - Fender bass on "Hold On, I'm Comin'" Technical Tom Dowd – producer and engineer Joel Brodsky – cover photograph William Albert Allard – back liner photograph
Renditions
In 1993, flutist Alexander Zonjic covered the title track on his album Passion.
See also 1969 in music Herbie Mann discography
References