Lonnie Harrington

Single Review: Lonnie Harrington “Such a Groove”

Review by Dawoud Kringle

Lonnie HarringtonLonnie Harrington (guitarist, percussionist, singer, songwriter, and MFM member) recently announced the release of the single “Such A Groove.” This is his first release since his 2018 instrumental single “I Wonder.” “Such a Groove” features Sean Dixon on drums, and Ruben Gonzalez on bass.

Both of the aforementioned singles will be part of nine songs on his next album Part II, scheduled for release in 2024. As of the writing, the single is only available on all digital platforms.

Harrington has been performing as a funk, samba, Soul, R&B, and rock guitarist throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than 45 years. He’s appeared in venues such as SOB’s, The Blue Note, The Village Gate, Tramps, Cornelia Street Café, The Shrine, Bostons’ Summerthing and The Sugar Shack, Summerstage, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Symphony Space, and many others.

He’s performed with Ruben Gonzalez, Kandia Crazy Horse’s Cactus Rose, Martha Redbones, and LAFROJAZ . His album Northern Tropicale’ and Other Romantic Illusions was released in September 2017. Harrington also performs with New York City based Native American Drum Groups such as the Drum Circle Singers, The Iron Feather Singers, and the Red Thunder Bear Singers.

The song begins with Dixon laying down a funk / samba beat that is impossible not to get caught up in. Harrington’s solid jazzy guitar comping and Gonzalez’ in the pocket bass forms a nice backdrop. Harrington’s vocals are smooth, inviting, and seem to welcome the listener to his world. He sings to a loved one whom he’s trying to tell that “hanging with you is such a groove.” His lyrics are quite inventive and possess more poetic quality than many others in the same genre.

The guitar becomes a bit more adventurous in the second verse. We hear some melodic ornamentation to compliment and contrast the locked-in-the groove rhythm guitar and bass.

Harrington’s guitar solo is really interesting. It starts with some free flowing arpeggios that gain momentum by riding the rhythm section. Then the guitar flies into the stratosphere, swooping down from time to time to reconnect with the groove, before taking off again. The guitar trades fours with the vocals on the last chorus before flying away on its own over a Dm / F vamp.

This is a fun and enjoyable song, the kind of music you can dance to while enjoying a warm summer evening with friends and loved ones. In fact, I found myself dancing to it while writing this review! Highly recommended!