TOWNER GALAHER ORGAN GROUP

BROTHERS

Rhythm Royale Records

Towner Galaher, drums/congas/composer; Jimmy Sanders, Hammond B3 organ/Fender Rhodes/clavinet/ composer; Randy Monroe, electric bass; Marvin Horne, guitar; Featuring: Craig Handy, tenor saxophone.

This album, “Brothers” is the fifth release for Towner Galaher, a drummer, composer and bandleader. I recall reviewing his album titled “Uptown” a few years back.

This new album winds back the hands of time to his 1970 roots when Tower of Power and Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters were all the rage.  It was also a time when jazz organ was quite popular, thanks to the excellent recordings of folks like Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. Consequently, Jimmy Sanders is an important addition to Galaher’s production. He plays the Hammond B3, the Fender Rhodes and clavinet.  This entire album is dedicated to Jimmy’s brother, Johnny Sanders.

“I first met Johnny when I was 20 years old. He came to a friend’s house and pulled out a Fender Rhodes from his station wagon. We had an impromptu jam session right there in the kitchen,” Galaher recalled.

Although Johnny Sanders and his brother Jimmy would move to Nashville, while Galaher would relocate to New York, their bond with Towner was set in stone. They kept in touch and would forever be musical compatriots. In celebration of their camaraderie, he titled this album “Brothers.”

Saxophonist, Craig Handy, is featured. So is guitarist Marvin Horne. You may recall that Handy toured with Herbie Hancock from 1996 to 1999.  He also appeared on Galaher’s second and third albums. In 2023, Marvin Horne added his funky guitar chops to Galaher’s 2023 album release titled, “Towner Galaher Organ Trio Live.”

The “Brothers” album features eight original compositions written by Towner Galaher and Jimmy Sanders, both individually or as co-writers. Years ago, while Galaher was practicing, gigging and perfecting his chops, he came across a group in his hometown of Portland, Oregon called “Piece of the Action.”  They featured Jimmy Sanders.  Looking back, this is the energy and inspiration that inspired his funky original tune of the same name. Craig Handy is featured brightly on tenor saxophone, with Galaher playing his drums like a freight train, pushing the piece solidly ahead.

This is an invigorating, high energy musical production. It brings back memories of the fusion bands popular in the 1970s. Galaher plays drum grooves from that era that celebrate funk, jazz and R&B. On a tune called “Cahva Bite?” (that Galaher and Sanders co-composed), the ensemble starts out in 4/4 time with a strong, energetic groove. Galaher suggested adding a bridge that was played in 6/8 time. It took the tune to a whole new place.

Towner Galaher began studying his instrument at age nine, practicing tediously and walking out of high school and into the club scene as a working drummer. Mel Brown was his Portland mentor. He also studied jazz and funk with Headhunter’s drummer, Mike Clark, and Brazilian drumming with the iconic Duduka da Foncesa.  Ricky Sebastian introduced him to New Orleans drum styles.

Towner has been a music educator for 45-years, but still plays concerts and finds joy recording.  This album will hit the streets, Jan 3, 2025.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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