Let’s just get it out of the way - yes, Pete Rock & CL Smooth sampled this for “They Reminisce Over You,” which is what put us on to this record in the first place; it’s why we keep restocking it, and it’s probably why you’re here reading this right now. But as anyone who’s spent time with The Honeysuckle Breeze will attest, there really is something for everyone on this album. Savvy producers can take their pick from the dozens of other breaks on the album, jazz heads will nerd out to the virtuoso musicianship (Tom Scott was only 19 years old!) and psychedelic warriors will enjoy the album’s groovy late 60's vibe. Check out “Never My Love,” “She’s Leaving Home,” John Coltrane’s “Naima” (an Impulse! rite of passage), “Blues For Hari” and of course “Today,” the T.R.O.Y. joint. It still catches loot on the bay and ‘scogs (upwards of $150) so get with this lovely replica pressing in deluxe gatefold sleeve with full liner notes and faithfully-reproduced Impulse labels, courtesy of Get On Down.

• black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• original release year: 1967
• music label: Get On Down 2024

reviewed by frau farbissina 02/2018