Is It In

This 1975 outing by Eddie Harris is as much a portfolio of sonic textures as it is a collection of songs. Much to the chagrin of jazz purists, Harris was an unabashed proponent of electronic experimentation in jazz. In particular, Is It In shows his love for effects pedals and early drum machines, but to say that Atlantic was indulging his ramblings is to miss the point. Harris made this kind of adventuring as much fun for listeners as it was for the creator. Is It In is the perfect album to throw on as the soundtrack for a sticky summer day. Harris had a supernatural ability to get deep with funk grooves. Armed to the teeth with effects pedals, he used his saxophone to drizzle cream and syrup all over a series of succulent rhythms. Critics were wary of the new technology, but Harris proved that it could be incorporated in an organic way. This doesn't sound like the outcome of cold machines. Instead, Harris makes his circuitry feel like it was pulled from dank and pungent soil.