Elegant Soul is an album by jazz group The Three Sounds featuring performances with an orchestra arranged by Monk Higgins recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.Blue Note discography accessed November 30, 2010
Reception The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3½ stars stating "Elegant Soul was -- and could even be currently -- dismissed with a casual listen as lightweight pop with a compelling rhythmic sense. But that would be selling it way short. This album warrants close listening to discern all that's happening in its production and arrangements. Whether it's on the dancefloor, for sampling, for feel-good or deep listening, or for finger-popping, it satisfies on all levels".Jurek, T. [ Allmusic Review] accessed November 30, 2010
Track listing "Elegant Soul" (Virginia P. Bland) - 3:15 "Do It Right Now" (Bland) - 6:20 "Sittin' Duck" (Monk Higgins) - 9:18 "(Sock It to Me) Harper Valley P.T.A." (Tom T. Hall) - 2:48 "Sugar Hill" (Dee Ervin, Miles Grayson) - 2:48 "African Sweets" (Ervin) - 4:30 "Black Gold" (Grayson) - 3:29 "Book of Slim" (Higgins) - 3:26 "Walls of Respect" (Gene Harris, Higgins) - 3:13 Recorded at RPM Studios, Los Angeles, California on September 19 (tracks 3, 4 & 8) and September 20 (tracks 1, 2, 5–7 & 9), 1968
Personnel Gene Harris - piano, organ Andrew Simpkins - bass Carl Burnett, Paul Humphrey - drums Monk Higgins - arranger, conductor Jim Horn - flute Bob Jung - reeds Dave Burk, Jesse Erlich, Henry Felber, Ron Fulsom, Louis Kievman, William Kurash, Leonard Malarsky, Ralph Schaeffer, Albert Steinberg, Tibor Zelig - violin Phil Goldberg, Leonard Selic - viola Jerry Kessler - cello Alan Estes - vibes Al Vescovo - guitar Dee Ervin, Miles Grayson - percussion
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