By the time
John Patton recorded
Along Came John, his debut as a leader, he had already become a familiar name around the Blue Note studios. He, guitarist
Grant Green, and drummer
Ben Dixon had become the label's regular soul-jazz rhythm section, playing on sessions by
Lou Donaldson,
Don Wilkerson, and
Harold Vick, among others. They had developed an intuitive, empathetic interplay that elevated many of their sessions to near-greatness, at least in the realm of soul-jazz. That's one of the reasons why
Along Came John is so successful -- the three know each other so well that their grooves are totally natural, which makes them quite appealing. These original compositions may not all be memorable, but the band's interaction, improvisation, and solos are. Tenor saxophonists
Fred Jackson and
Harold Vick provide good support, as well, but the show belongs to
Patton,
Green, and
Dixon, who once again prove they are one of the finest soul-jazz combos of their era. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine