Gordon Smith

Stuff Smith, born as Hezekiah Leroy Gordon Smith in 1909 passed away in 1967, one year after this unique recording session. "Violin Summit" featured Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen and Jean Luc-Ponty (with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, drummer Alex Riel) in concert on September 30, 1966. It was an unique opportunity to have four of the best violin players together in one concert. The music came off quite well, in large part probably because the four violinists were paired in different sets with all four actually featured together on only one take, "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing".

O.C. Smith at Home was the finest showcase for the singer's warm, baritone vocals. Produced by Jerry Fuller, the LP's songs revolved around home and heart. The LP cover featured the singer walking with a little boy. The second single, the rousing, dynamic "Daddy's Little Man," hit Billboard's charts in fall 1969. Its flip side was the driving, horn-accented soap opera-themed "If I Leave You Now." The lushly orchestrated "The Learning Tree" was the opening title theme of the family drama movie directed by Gordon Parks. "Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife" cracked the R&B Top 25. All of this musical magic was wrapped up in the great arrangements of H.B. Barnum. Some of the LP tracks appeared on his O.C. Smith's Greatest Hits.

O.C. Smith at Home was the finest showcase for the singer's warm, baritone vocals. Produced by Jerry Fuller, the LP's songs revolved around home and heart. The LP cover featured the singer walking with a little boy. The second single, the rousing, dynamic "Daddy's Little Man," hit Billboard's charts in fall 1969. Its flip side was the driving, horn-accented soap opera-themed "If I Leave You Now." The lushly orchestrated "The Learning Tree" was the opening title theme of the family drama movie directed by Gordon Parks. "Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife" cracked the R&B Top 25. All of this musical magic was wrapped up in the great arrangements of H.B. Barnum. Some of the LP tracks appeared on his O.C. Smith's Greatest Hits.

RPM was a hip and happening label formed in LA, and was one of the several subsidiary labels of Modern Records who were the forerunner of ryhthm and blues. RPM quickly became associated with its biggest name, BB King, and then followed with names such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Nix. The label was short-lived but this compilation catches RPM in its satisfying prime. This 2 CD set contains 40 original recordings from the RPM Records label, including titles from B.B. King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson and many more. All tracks have been digitally remastered for optimum listening quality.

Trombone player Wycliffe Gordon plays from his gospel roots on this CD entitled The Gospel Truth, released in the year 2000. Gordon grew up in a gospel church in his home state of Georgia. His father was the church pianist, assuring that his son's home and church life were filled with religious music.