Soul Box, Vol. 1 (1973)

"The early work of alto saxophonist and composer Grover Washington, Jr. is a rare and beautiful thing to behold. Solid urban groove jazz played with grace, mean chops, and slippery funkiness. "Soul Box" (1973) has Creed Taylor's production enhanced by a symphony orchestra and full-blown jazz band arranged and conducted by Bob James. Some of the session men include Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eric Gale, Idris Muhammad, Airto, and Richard Tee. It contains the deep funk of Norman Whitfield's "Masterpiece." But the side-long jam on Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man" is the cut on which all the contradictions of the session come to bear and are resolved due in large part to Washington's deeply lyrical improvising and James' ability to layer an orchestra into a groove. There are cadenzas written in after choruses that bring the orchestra in to accent the sketchy funk in the tune and bring out its deep blue hues. When Washington gets to the front of it all, he lets go like he's crying from the heart." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic)