Reuben Wilson's second Groove Merchant session,
The Cisco Kid, pairs the organist with a murderer's-row support unit including guitarist
Melvin Sparks, trombonist
Garnett Brown, bassist
Bob Cranshaw, drummer
Mickey Roker, and percussionist
Ray Armando. Given the talent involved, it's regrettable that the album adheres to such a pedestrian formula, reimagining the same pop and soul covers as virtually every other jazz-funk session issued at the time. Besides the title cut, a reworking of
War's Latin soul monster, the material includes readings of "Superfly," "The Look of Love," and "We've Only Just Begun" -- the energy and intensity nevertheless ratchet up several notches for the
Wilson originals "Snaps" and "Groove Grease," elevating the entire endeavor in the process.