Foursome

Well, this is the third GAMMA RAY DVD release that comes 14 years after the Lust For Live one. Actually, this DVD with the longest title ever took some time to reach the stores…

Johnny Smith - The Johnny Smith Foursome, Vol.1 (1957) {2017 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29210}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 156 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 65 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1957, 2017 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29210
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. An overlooked 50s set from guitarist Johnny Smith – one that features a piano added into his trio, hence the "foursome" in the title! The pianist here is Bob Pancoast, who has a fluid, sometimes gentle touch on the keys – one that spins out Smith's guitar a bit more than usual, with a lyrical flair that we really like – and which is sometimes a bit of a contrast to his better-known mellow mode. The rest of the group features Knobby Totah on bass and Jerry Segal on drums.

Johnny Smith - The Johnny Smith Foursome Vol.2 (1957) {2017 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29211}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 182 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 71 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1957, 2017 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29211
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. In 1957, Johnny Smith was at the height of his artistic power when he cut this album for the Roost label. Smith had a patented method for shifting from single-string statements of the melody line to complex chordal structures with amazing ease. This ability is put to use for each of the cuts on this album, but is especially useful on such cuts as "Angel Eyes" and "You Go to My Head." Smith's guitar also seemed to have a one of a kind resonance to it, which energized every melody he played, whether on the melody itself or when improvising, making his playing immediately recognizable.