Kenny Burrell The Sermon

Covering prime early recordings from 1956-1960 and one mid-'80s cut, Blue Note's The Best of Jimmy Smith offers up a fine introduction to the trailblazing jazz organist. Smith's Blue Note sessions not only introduced the world to the complex solo possibilities of the Hammond B3 organ, but simultaneously ushered in the soul-jazz era of the '60s, spawning a wealth of fine imitators in the process. Before delving into more commercial terrain on Verve in the late '60s, Smith cut a ton of jam-session dates for Blue Note, often with the help of hard bop luminaries like trumpeter Lee Morgan, alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson, tenor saxophonists Tina Brooks and Stanley Turrentine, and drummers Art Blakey and Donald Bailey. All are heard here on classic cuts like "The Sermon," "Back at the Chicken Shack," and "The Jumpin' Blues," with Smith regular Turrentine and a young Morgan availing themselves in especially fine form. For his part, Smith eats up the scenery on all the sides here, taking his solo to particularly impressive heights on a fleetly swinging rendition of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".

Jimmy Smith - The Complete Sermon Sessions (2009) {2CD Set Groove Hut Records–Blue Note rec 1957-1958}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 0.98 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 351 Mb
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© 1957-58, 2009 Blue Note / Groove Hut Records | GH 66712
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Organ Hammond B-3

2009 release from the Jazz great containing Smith's complete classic Sermon sessions, in chronological order, together for the first time ever on a single set. These are his only preserved collaborations with Lee Morgan, the formidable trumpet player whose life came to a tragic end after being shot by his girlfriend at the tender age of 33. Tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks is also featured here. The outstanding reedman would pass away at the age of 42 after a life of drug addiction and self abuse. The great Jimmy Smiths was a Jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument.

In 2000 when Blue Note upgraded 1958's House Party as part of the label's superior Rudy Van Gelder series, they augmented the title with a ten-plus minute driving blow of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" as a well-chosen bonus track. Now the effort is bookended by some primal Bird, which was always a forte of the assembled coterie. In addition to sharing three of the five sides with the RVG edition of The Sermon! (1958), there are two selections from the August 25, 1957, confab of Lee Morgan (trumpet), George Coleman (alto sax), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Kenny Burrell (guitar), and Donald Bailey (drums)…

Jimmy Smith - Standards (1959) {Blue Note 21282, Ron McMaster, rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 407 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 159 Mb
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© 1957-59, 1998 Blue Note / Capitol Records | 7243 8 21282 2 9
Jazz / Hard Bop/ Soul Jazz / Organ

Jimmy Smith's "Standards" album is a delightful look at the greatest of all jazz organists in a relaxed trio setting. Recorded over three sessions from 1957-59, "Standards" is not a greatest hits type collection. If anything it should be viewed as a companion piece to "Home Cookin" (much like "The Sermon" and "House Party" go together) as both CDs derive most of their material from 7/15/58 and 5/24/59 sessions. Like so many jazz releases, all the upbeat numbers from the recording dates went to one title ("Home Cookin") and all the contemplative ballads to another (originally on vinyl as "On The Sunny Side" and now on CD as "Standards", as it should be noted that the last half of "Standards" had never previously been issued.)

Jimmy Smith - Any Number Can Win (1963) {Verve 557 447-2 rel 1998}
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© 1963, 1998 Verve / PolyGram | 557 447-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Big Band / Organ Hammond B3

Sessions like this are proof that Jimmy was one of the most fantastic organ players ever – as his work with large arrangements (supplied here by Claus Ogerman) always seems to groove better than his work with small combos. His sound is impeccable, and he soars ahead of the rest of the orchestra with hard biting soulful solos that are just amazing. Titles include "The Ape Woman", "Any Number Can Win", "G'Won Train", "Tubs", and "Ruby". Packaged in a nice groovy gatefold, too!