Sometimes an album just speaks to you. It’s a combination of everything: the cover, the production, the “vibe” if you will. One component might pull you in; the rest tether you for eternity. Such was the case when I first laid eyes on The Bridge, a one-off project from Kristian Schultze, the keyboard/organ whiz who would later go on to join Passport and then with Michael Holm go on to form the new age band Cusco. None of that is important to know, though: just take a look at that cover and that album title. The whole project screams jazz funk rock grooves for a party, and indeed, Overdrive – Jazz/Rock Party is exactly as advertised. Not a lot going on thematically, just some good time funky jams that make your day a little more fun, and just a little brighter.

There is not a lot about this album online, so in the interest of brevity I’m going to liberally “borrow” the press release a lot of retailers have for this to give the lowdown:

First ever vinyl reissue in original artwork of this fabulous kraut, jazz-funk / fusion / rare groove / library album from 1972, originally released on the budget Tempo label from Germany. Lots of fuzzy distorted organ & Fender Rhodes courtesy of Kristian Schultze (pre-Passport) plus the mighty Pawel Jazerbski on bass and Joe Nay (Tete Montoliu, Roland Klirk, Blue Note Club…) on drums.

That’s really all this is. A trio laying out some fun party jams that groove and make you all warm and fuzzy inside. I remember as a teenager driving along the streets of Middletown, NY (this was the late 80s, early 90s) with my friends late at night, playing music that would give us this same feeling. That’s how we came upon music from Parliament/Funkadelic, The Meters, and Booker T. & The M.G.’s. A lot of Overdrive – Jazz/Rock Party gives me the same sense of fun and play those albums did way back in the day. All of those artists fuel the game nights at my house now, whether it’s with friends or just my family.

And now The Bridge has joined the stack that sits next to our battered wicker chest where way too many games lay dormant, waiting for the next party.