Mulligan, Baritone Bard; Threadgill, Alto Innovator

LARRY GOLDINGS

“Whatever It Takes”

Warner Bros.

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The title of organist Goldings’ CD seems to indicate that he’s willing to do . . . , well, you get the idea. Here, that willingness suggests the participation of big-name guest talents, notably Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, David Sanborn and Joshua Redman, to help the album. But their inclusion does just the opposite.

The tunes that feature Goldings’ core trio with guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart, though not particularly ambitious, cook along in fine style, recalling the glory days of the organ trio with their mix of blues, funk and ballad. But such cover tunes as Sly Stone’s “If You Want Me to Stay” and Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie on Reggae Woman,” both of which include Parker and Sanborn, belong to the horns. Though having the two alto men included in the same song should make for an interesting contrast, their two solos sound almost indistinguishable.

Goldings takes a nice, considered turn at the piano on his solo piece “Prayer,” but for the most part, this is an album that bumps along at a predictable R&B-friendly; pace. Next time Goldings should look to the late organist Larry Young for the kind of fire, and ambition, that burns best on the Hammond. “Whatever It Takes” just doesn’t have it.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).