What makes The Boss Men by Don Patterson notable?

The Boss Men features a blend of original compositions and standards that helped define Patterson's signature sound, contributing to the growing popularity of the jazz organ genre during the 1960s. The album received positive critical attention, which played a role in solidifying Patterson's reputation within jazz circles and influencing upcoming organists. Released in 1966, The Boss Men was Don Patterson's debut album as a bandleader after establishing himself as a prominent organist in the jazz scene. At this point, he had already gained recognition for his work with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and others, setting the stage for his unique approach to jazz organ.

How many songs are on The Boss Men?

The Boss Men has 6 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

The Boss Men

Don Patterson · 1966

35 min · 6 tracks

Smooth organ-led jazz grooves intertwine with soulful rhythms, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for late-night listening.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Diane — This opening track showcases Patterson's smooth organ lines paired with a relaxed groove, setting a warm tone for the album and highlighting his expressive playing style.
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Someday My Prince Will Come — Patterson's interpretation of this classic standard transforms it into a soulful journey, featuring intricate melodic phrasing that reveals his deep musicality.
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What's New? — In this track, Patterson’s inventive improvisation over lush harmonies exemplifies his ability to breathe new life into well-known material, demonstrating both skill and creativity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends smooth jazz grooves with soulful rhythms, showcasing Patterson's organ work but lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

Each track features extended organ solos that showcase Patterson's improvisational skills, often accompanied by a steady rhythm section.
The last two tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier grooves.

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

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Diane 5:40
2 Someday My Prince Will Come 8:15
3 Easy To Love 5:40
4 What's New? 5:30
5 Big C's Rock 3:09
6 They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful 7:45

What to play next

Listen next

Soul Happening!

1966

Go back to

Goin' Down Home

1966

Full Don Patterson discography Artists like Don Patterson

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata