Dr. Lonnie Smith is no stranger to New Orleans. Over the years, the venerable funk-master has recorded and performed with many of the Crescent City’s finest musicians and, most recently, he has become a staple during the Jazz Fest season with his regular appearances at the Blue Nile. Given this, its no surprise that the doctor chose two of New Orleans most talented native sons to join him on his latest album, Rise Up!, namely alto saxophonist Donald Harrison and drummer Herlin Riley. Together with guitarist Peter Bernstein, the group is a powerhouse jazz/funk quartet that doesn’t fail to deliver copious amounts of soul and groove.

The material on Rise Up! comprises an interesting mix. Apart from five new Smith compositions, the band also takes on a handful of songs from the rock and pop catalog. The group’s treatment of the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams,” set with a brooding, soulful refrain, is a gem. Likewise, Smith’s deep, growling vocalese on their version of the Beatles “Come Together” makes that cut standout as well.

Smith’s chops on the Hammond organ have not faded a lick over the years, as is evident from the opening track, “A Matterpat,” in which the leader sets a subdued mood early and then crescendos into a dramatic climax. The only pitfall of Rise Up! is the extremely glossy production. Because of this, the album lacks the edge that you find on the doctor’s earlier albums, and it leads the overall sound of the album dangerously close to the edge of smooth jazz territory. But if you can listen past that, you will find Rise Up! to be an album rich with soul and full of masterful musicianship.