Some songs make an immediate impact, regardless of who's singing them. 'Drowning in the Sea of Love' would easily be one of those songs. Whether it's of Joe Simon's original or the surprisingly good version of Ringo Starr's! My first encounter with Ronnie Foster was through its instrumental version on Two Headed Freap, with the rich, Hammond groove and the album became a favorite on its own.

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From Churches to the Deep Funk: The Magic of the Hammond Organ

Ronnie Foster is referred to as "one of the true legends of the Hammond Organ" in the funk and soul jazz world. He performs as organist, record producer, keyboardist, and arranger. ✨

The Hammond organ, originally designed for churches, carries a signature warmth and resonance that shaped gospel music. However, in the hands of jazz musicians, it transforms into an instrument of deep funkiness and innovation. Pioneers like Jimmy Smith then take it beyond its sacred origins, infusing it with blues, swing, and bebop elements, which in turn influence generations of players—including Ronnie Foster, who would take it even further into the groove. His steady practice, coupled with mentorship from the legendary Jimmy Smith, lays the foundation for Foster’s unique style.

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​"Eventually, he attended a jam session where there was an organ in addition to a piano. After trying the organ, he decided to concentrate on the instrument. He listened to Jimmy Smith, gradually making his way to more adventurous players like Larry Young. A local Buffalo organist, Joe Madison, gave him advice, and Foster practiced regularly at a studio where he would rent a room with an organ for 60 cents an hour." (Ronnie Foster Biography by Matt Collar in AllMusic)

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Two Headed Freap: Blue Note Recording

Ronnie Foster's solo style is characterized by “funky vamps and a deep groove”, resulting in music that feels lively and danceable. Although some critics have noted his preference for “groove over risky improvisation,” this stylistic choice is what makes his sound so distinctive. His career is full of collaborations with an impressive range of performers, including George Benson, David Sanborn, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Turrentine, and Djavan, proving his popularity. 🌟

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Foster's first album, Two Headed Freap, is published on the prestigious Blue Note label in 1972. This soul jazz Hammond recording perfectly captures the spirit of early 1970s funk. The album is a musical adventure, full of "hip, alive, groovy" energy, "greasy Hammond organ" sounds, and that distinctive "funky 70s thang."

Notable tracks like 'Chunky,' 'Mystic Brew,' and the title track, alongside covers of Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' and Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's 'Drowning in the Sea of Love,' highlight Foster’s command of the music. His long, flowing solos are amazing—creating one funky groove after another. 

Critics have described the album as "cinematic, colorful, and funky," comparing it to the sounds of Sly Stone, Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, and even The Meters and Jimmy Smith, with a touch of Bobbi Humphrey!!! The organ sounds very electronic and nearly synthy, and at times almost like an electric guitar!

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Freap: The Story Behind the Album Title

The title of the record tells a tale all by itself: According to Foster, the title tune has two motifs, in contrast to typical jazz songs that have just one major theme, or "head." To make it more unique, he coins the term "freap," blending “freak” with his own playful twist. 

He tells it in an interview: 

“Alright, here we go. Think about a 20, 21 year old guy who wants to be a little different but I didn't want us to be a two-headed freak, so I just put a P on it. That's how that came about because I was always trying to think a little differently.”

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'Mystic Brew': The Legendary Sample Behind A Tribe Called Quest

Of all the tracks on Two Headed Freap, 'Mystic Brew' is one of those tracks that grabs you immediately. The organ melody locks in and the groove draws you in right away. It has got that pure 1972 Hammond sound. Years later, A Tribe Called Quest finds it, and 'Electric Relaxation' happens; introducing Ronnie Foster to so many new ears, and people are still playing with it, reinterpreting it. My favorite cover is Mark de Clive-Lowe's 'Mystic Brew'. He layers electronic production over Foster's Hammond groove. It's like he bridges 1972 funk with modern electronics. ​

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Gülben - 03/2025

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