memphis underground

Biography

Memphis Underground is a 1969 jazz fusion album by flutist Herbie Mann that represents a landmark collaboration between New York jazz musicians and Memphis's legendary studio musicians. Recorded at Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, the album fuses jazz and rhythm and blues (R&B) genres, featuring Mann alongside principal soloists Roy Ayers, Larry Coryell, and Sonny Sharrock. The rhythm section consisted of the American Sound Studio house band—the Memphis Boys—who were renowned for their work on countless hit recordings. Produced and engineered by Tom Dowd, the album created a unique sound that blended the sophistication of New York jazz with the soulful depth of Memphis R&B, appealing to a broad audience and establishing Mann's direction toward world music and soul-influenced jazz.

The album's significance lies in its innovative fusion approach and the caliber of musicians involved. While the principal soloists were established jazz leaders, the session was grounded in the Memphis studio tradition that had produced hits for artists like Dusty Springfield, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley. The combination of young New York jazz innovators with one of the South's most storied rhythm sections proved transformative, creating music that transcended both Memphis soul and New York jazz conventions. Following this 1969 success, Memphis Underground became a catalyst for Mann's subsequent work in smooth jazz, funk, reggae, and disco-influenced recordings that, while criticized by jazz purists, kept Mann active during a period of declining mainstream interest in traditional jazz.

Fun Facts

• The album was recorded at Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, the same studio used by many well-known R&B and pop artists, creating an unusual fusion of New York jazz sophistication with Memphis soul tradition.
• Two members of the rhythm section on the album (Gene Chrisman and Tommy Cogbill) had previously performed on Aretha Franklin's recordings, demonstrating the Memphis Boys' prominence in soul music production.
• Despite featuring only one song of certifiable Memphis vintage origin, the album's unique blend of young New York jazz musicians with the storied Southern rhythm section created a sound that appealed to a large, diverse audience and launched Mann's successful exploration of world music and soul-influenced jazz.
• The album's success led to Mann recording numerous subsequent smooth jazz records influenced by Southern soul, blues rock, reggae, funk, and disco, featuring some of the best-known session players in soul and jazz including Duane Allman, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, and Bernard Purdie.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Pete Rugolo - Early career bandleader and mentor (Mann joined Rugolo's band early in his career) [1950s]
• Mat Mathews - Accordianist collaborator in Mann's early professional work (Early professional performances) [Post-1954]

Key Collaborators

• Roy Ayers - Principal soloist on Memphis Underground (Memphis Underground (vibes, conga on 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' and 'Memphis Underground')) [1969]
• Larry Coryell - Principal soloist and guitarist on Memphis Underground (Memphis Underground (guitar)) [1969]
• Sonny Sharrock - Principal soloist and guitarist on Memphis Underground (Memphis Underground (guitar)) [1969]
• Tom Dowd - Producer and engineer of Memphis Underground (Memphis Underground) [1969]
• Gene Chrisman - Drummer in the Memphis Boys rhythm section (Memphis Underground (drums)) [1969]
• Tommy Cogbill - Bassist in the Memphis Boys rhythm section (Memphis Underground (Fender bass)) [1969]
• Reggie Young - Guitarist in the Memphis Boys rhythm section (Memphis Underground (guitar)) [1969]
• Bobby Emmons - Organist in the Memphis Boys rhythm section (Memphis Underground (organ)) [1969]
• Bobby Wood - Pianist in the Memphis Boys rhythm section (Memphis Underground (electric and acoustic piano)) [1969]
• Miroslav Vitouš - Bassist on selected tracks (Memphis Underground (Fender bass on 'Hold On, I'm Comin'')) [1969]

Artists Influenced

• Smooth jazz and soul-influenced artists - Memphis Underground established Mann's direction toward world music, funk, reggae, and disco-influenced recordings (Subsequent Mann recordings influenced by Southern soul, blues rock, reggae, funk and disco) [1970s onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia