What makes Where the Action's At! by Jimmy McGriff notable?

This album is notable for its commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Its blend of styles not only solidified McGriff's reputation but also contributed to the growing popularity of soul jazz during the mid-1960s. Released in 1966, Where the Action's At! was Jimmy McGriff's fourth studio album, following the successful Live at the Apollo. By this point in his career, McGriff had established himself as a prominent figure in the soul jazz scene, known for his ability to fuse traditional jazz with rhythm and blues elements.

Who is Where the Action's At! for?

Where the Action's At! works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove exploration, for social gatherings and vibrant energy for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on Where the Action's At!?

Where the Action's At! has 8 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

Where the Action's At!

Jimmy McGriff · 1966

40 min · 8 tracks · blues

A vibrant blend of soul jazz and hard bop, teeming with infectious grooves and McGriff's signature organ riffs.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Where It's At — The opening track sets the tone with a lively groove and showcases McGriff's dynamic organ playing, establishing the album's energetic spirit.
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Georgia On My Mind — This rendition transforms a classic into a soulful jazz piece, illustrating McGriff's skill in reinterpreting familiar melodies with depth and emotion.
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Up Tight — With its infectious rhythm and engaging improvisation, this track perfectly exemplifies McGriff's ability to seamlessly blend jazz with popular music influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and vibrant performances, solidifying McGriff's place in soul jazz.

What we noticed

Each track features prominent organ riffs, often accompanied by brass and rhythm sections that create a rich, layered sound.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the organ and other instruments, enhancing the interactive feel of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 mid-tempo groove exploration
for social gatherings
vibrant energy for afternoon relaxation
satisfying instrumental conversations

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced listening experiences
seek lyrical storytelling focus

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1966, Where the Action's At! was Jimmy McGriff's fourth studio album, following the successful Live at the Apollo. By this point in his career, McGriff had established himself as a prominent figure in the soul jazz scene, known for his ability to fuse traditional jazz with rhythm and blues elements.
Stylistic neighbors: Jimmy Smith· Charles Earland· Reuben Wilson

Tracklist

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

1 Where It's At 4:32
2 When Johnny Comes Marching Home 4:00
3 Up Tight 5:48
4 Frugal Bugle 6:28
5 Upper-Ground 5:00
6 Georgia On My Mind 5:40
7 Goin' Out Of My Head 3:58
8 Robbins Nest 5:08

What to play next

Listen next

A Bag Full of Soul

1966

Go back to

Blues for Mister Jimmy

1965

Full Jimmy McGriff discography Artists like Jimmy McGriff

blues hard bop soul jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata