Is Soulful Strut a good place to start with Grover Washington, Jr.?

Yes, Soulful Strut is recommended as a starting point for new Grover Washington, Jr. listeners. A vibrant fusion of smooth jazz and soulful grooves that invites listeners to unwind and feel the rhythm. Released in 1996, Soulful Strut is Grover Washington, Jr.'s final studio album, marking a significant moment as he was already an established figure in jazz. By this time, he had gained widespread acclaim with previous hits like 'Just the Two of Us', solidifying his reputation as a pivotal saxophonist in contemporary jazz.

Who is Soulful Strut for?

Soulful Strut works well if you're into steady grooves for relaxed evenings, inviting melodies to unwind with and mid-tempo flow for casual listening.

How many songs are on Soulful Strut?

Soulful Strut has 10 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Soulful Strut

Grover Washington, Jr. · 1996

51 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of smooth jazz and soulful grooves that invites listeners to unwind and feel the rhythm.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Soulful Strut Start here — The title track embodies the essence of the album with its infectious rhythm and melodic saxophone lines, setting the tone for the entire project.
→
Can You Stop the Rain — This track features lush harmonies and emotional depth, highlighting Washington's ability to convey feeling through his saxophone, making it a standout piece.
→
Play That Groove for Me — With its engaging groove and playful instrumentation, this track illustrates Washington's knack for blending intricate melodies with danceable rhythms, capturing his artistic flair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album features smooth grooves and layered instrumentation, making it enjoyable but not in its composition.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a steady groove and prominent saxophone melodies, establishing a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere.
Each track maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with rhythmic variations that keep the listener's interest without abrupt shifts.
Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, blending saxophone with keyboards and percussion to create a rich, textured sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady grooves for relaxed evenings
inviting melodies to unwind with
mid-tempo flow for casual listening
smooth rhythms for socializing

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy excitement
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Final studio album showcasing continued vitality in smooth jazz.
Themes: smooth jazz grooves· emotional saxophone melodies
Career context: Released in 1996, Soulful Strut is Grover Washington, Jr.'s final studio album, marking a significant moment as he was already an established figure in jazz. By this time, he had gained widespread acclaim with previous hits like 'Just the Two of Us', solidifying his reputation as a pivotal saxophonist in contemporary jazz.
Stylistic neighbors: Bob James· David Sanborn· Kenny G