PRESTIGE WEEK, DAY SEVEN

Bernard Purdie: Way Back Home

From Shaft (Prestige, 1971).

After the hyperactive hypeness of “Fire Eater,” we needed something a lil more laid back to close out Prestige Week. “Way Back Home,” is a cover of a Crusaders’ song featured on Bernard Purdie’s Shaft LP, one of several albums he recorded for Prestige (and in my opinion, the best. The cover of “Them Changes” on here is smokin’.) There is something so ’70s about this song – like it could have been the theme song to Barney Miller or Welcome Back, Kotter. There’s a soothing charm to the composition – as the name suggests, it sounds like something you could throw in the ride for a weekend drive.

Coming soon: A Prestige bonus post.