Keep That Groove Going!

Keep That Groove Going! is a collaborative summit between two titans of the tenor saxophone, Plas Johnson and Red Holloway. Released in 2001 on the Milestone label and produced by soul-jazz specialist Bob Porter, the album serves as a late-career highlight for both musicians. Johnson, famous for his iconic solo on Henry Mancini's 'The Pink Panther Theme,' brings his signature R&B-tinged 'suave' tone, while Holloway provides a slightly more aggressive, bop-influenced counterpoint. The tracklist is a balanced mix of original blues-based 'cookers' and standards like 'Cry Me a River' and 'Dream a Little Dream of Me.' Critics praised the album for its 'intelligence and good taste,' noting that the duo's chemistry makes the 'tenor battle' format feel more like a spirited dialogue than a competition. It stands as a definitive example of the soul-jazz revival of the early 2000s, prioritizing feel and phrasing over modern experimentation.