Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – Cold As Weiss

11-02-2022

The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, also known as DLO3, is an American soul-jazz group founded in 2015. The band has released two albums. Their debut album, titled "Close But No Cigar", charted at number one on the U.S. Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio was founded in 2015 and originally consisted of keyboardist Delvon Lamarr (Dumas) on Hammond B-3, guitarist Colin Higgins and drummer David McGraw. Soon after guitarist Jimmy James (Williams) replaced Higgins. All members had been active instrumentalists in the Seattle music scene. With the help of Lamarr's wife, Amy Novo, acting as manager and booking agent, the group was solidified. Originally a drummer and trumpet player, Lamarr switched to organ at the age of 22. He said he picked up the instrument naturally by observing organist / keyboardist Joe Doria. James and McGraw had previously co-founded "The True Loves", a Seattle-based nine-piece soul band. The DLO3 has toured in the United States and abroad and has performed in several music festivals including the Detroit and the Monterey Jazz Festivals. The trio's debut album "Close But No Cigar" was originally released in 2016 (on CD), and was re-released in March 2018 (on both LP and CD) by Colemine Records. The album reached number one on the U.S. Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and number three on the U.S. Jazz Albums chart. In April 2018, the band released a live album titled "Live at KEXP !" (on both LP and CD) that was recorded May 13, 2017. It reached number 10 on the Jazz Albums chart. In 2018 the band toured nationally and in Europe in support of the albums. In late 2018, drummer Doug Octa Port replaced McGraw. Drummer Michael Duffy joined the band for their 2019 European Tour. New drummer, Daniel "Vanilla" Weiss (from "The Sextones") joined in 2021. On January 29, 2021, the group released their sophomore studio album "I Told You So" via Colemine Records. The album debuted atop multiple Billboard Charts : number one on the Contemporary Jazz Album chart, number three on the Jazz Album chart, number four on the Tastemaker Album chart, and number 12 on the Heatseeker Album chart. Glide Magazine wrote that the "unrelenting, intoxicating grooves of the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio are everything one would want from an organ trio, a pinch of late 1960's soul-jazz, some elements of more modern funk, and a riveting, magnetic swagger that won't let go". The band's music is rhythm-based and rooted in the 1960s and 1970s soul-jazz, funk and blues styles, reminiscent of Booker T. & the M.G.'s and The Meters. The songs are typically developed by improvisation over organ grooves. Bandleader Lamarr described it as "soul music with a strong jazz influence". He credits their sound to the chemistry of the band members. "Feel good music" ? It's a booty-shake blend of 1960s soul-jazz; slinky New Orleans funk; vintage instrumental soul; and a splash of acid-rock guitar. The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio are a 21st century contemporary soul-jazz and funk outfit based in Seattle. Their sound is marked by kinetic, driving grooves, funky breaks, and spontaneous improvisation, whether they're playing originals or covers, they are especially well- known for the latter. The trio features Delvon Lamarr on Hammond B-3, Jimmy James on guitar, and Dan Weiss on drums. Over the course of the last five years, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio have established themselves as the world's premier funky organ trio. The organ trio, along with founder and manager Amy Novo, continues to devise the perfect blend of raw, passionate music and engaging industry practices. Through a firm partnership with label Colemine Records, the trio has garnered Billboard charting albums, sold out shows, tens of thousands of albums sold, and millions of streams. Lofty accomplishments for an instrumental organ trio. Now, with permanent drummer Dan Weiss behind the kit, DLO3 is proud to present "Cold As Weiss", their third studio album to date that finds them tighter than ever, and continuing to push funky instrumental music to a new generation of fans. In 2016, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio released their debut album "Close but No Cigar", introducing themselves to the world. Five years later "I Told You So" was released, an album that soared high in the jazz, soul and groove world. We are almost exactly a year later and today the group delivers us "Cold as Weiss", a third record that ticks off at forty minutes. The name of the album therefore serves as the entry of new drummer Dan Weiss. With their third drummer in three albums, Delvon Lamarr (Hammond B3) and Jimmy James (guitar) now continue with Weiss. A choice that will pay off, we can clearly hear that on "Cold as Weiss", an impressive album that was made in one year. With the first two singles "Pull Your Pants Up" and "Don't Worry 'Bout What I Do" Delvon Lamarr Trio already convinced us. They meant those two songs humorous and therefore form a nice introduction to the new album. They couldn't prepare us for the sequel, because after that it was just uphill and the level was already quite high. The album can be divided into two parts. While the titles in the first part still indicate lightness and playfulness, the three gentlemen raise more serious issues in the second part. For example, the opening tracks are just an inside joke of the band, but songs like "Uncertainty" and "Keep on Keepin' On" betray a more philosophical quest in the album. We also notice a difference musically here, not necessarily in the skill, but in complexity and nuance. It is partly because of that thematic diptych that Cold as Weiss turns out to be such an interesting album. That is quite a punishment, knowing that it is one hundred percent instrumental. The feel-good music, such as the amusing "Slip 'n' Slide", does the jazz justice and also has something to say. The listener is free to allow his imagination in his interpretation here, don't worry, there is no wrong interpretation in the jazz world of DLO3. After the not too subtly titled "Big TT's Blues", which by the way is a genius blues instrumental pur sang, the album flows over to the second part where playfulness becomes virtuosity, without losing the genuine joy. "Get Da Steppin'", the third single from the album, is a track where Delvon Lamarr shows off with a long solo on his Hammond organ. All in all cool, but otherwise there is little variation. The build-up is a bit like the first track and that's a shame, because they have already proven that they are masters of their craft. Here we also notice that Dan Weiss hasn't got a drum solo yet, which could have made things a bit more exciting. However, with the last four tracks they completely captivate us. "Uncertainty" is perhaps the most beautiful song on the entire album. The title gives us the image of a humble trio that also has to touch a more serious chord. The song floats on in a sweet mood in which Jimmy James especially makes us dream away with his guitar. The formula is clear: drummer Weiss always creates tight rhythms that seem simple, but are thoughtful and exciting. Perhaps this coolness and subtlety explains "Cold as Weiss"as the album title. Solos are alternated between the two other musicians and they always get complete freedom in what they do. The highly improvised character creates a spontaneous cool atmosphere in every song. We see DLO3 almost laughing on a stage in front of us. On closing track "This Is Who I Is" we know for sure : album number three may well be the best yet. They give it their all one last time in a five minute show of acid guitar, furious organ playing and those tight drums again. They're everything we'd want from an organ trio: brilliant, amusing musicians who take their inspiration from the soul-jazz of the 60s to keep us dancing and laughing to vintage feel-good music today. We are already putting "Cold as Weiss" on again and recommend that you do the same. Over the course of the last five years, the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio have established themselves as the world's premier funky organ trio. The organ trio, along with founder and manager Amy Novo, continues to devise the perfect blend of raw, passionate music and engaging industry practices. Through a firm partnership with label Colemine Records, the trio has garnered Billboard charting albums, sold out shows, tens of thousands of albums sold, and millions of streams. Lofty accomplishments for an instrumental organ trio. Now, with permanent drummer Dan Weiss behind to kit, DLO3 is proud to present "Cold As Weiss", their third studio album to date that finds them tighter than ever, and continuing to push funky instrumental music to a new generation of fans. "Cold As Weiss" is the third studio album by soul/jazz band Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. The band have been hugely successful stateside with their funky organ led instrumentals. This album sees them with a new drummer Dan Weiss, who is welcomed into the fold by having the album named after him. Fans of acts ranging from Jimmy Smith to Khruangbin will love this.

A1 Pull Your Pants Up 4:49

A2 Don't Worry 'Bout What I Do 5:13

A3 I Wanna Be Where You Are 3:12

A4 Big TT's Blues 6:33

B1 Get Da Steppin' 4:54

B2 Uncertainty 3:35

B3 Keep On Keepin' On 3:49

B4 Slip 'N' Slide 2:39

B5 This Is Who I Is 5:05

Drums - Dan Weiss

Guitar - Jimmy James

Organ - Delvon LaMarr