You know its good when someone gives you the honorific "The Incredible" on the album cover. With the help of the invention of the drawbar B-3 organ and people like Smith, the organ moved from the church to club. Smith was prolific, releasing over 100 albums (he recorded around forty sessions just for Blue Note, 1956-63) and also found occasional success on the single charts - the title track from this release peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.
And what a supporting cast: Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, and Donald Bailey. Turrentine is featured throughout and, from what I've read, this is the album that really put him on the map. Plus, Burrell's tone is unparalleled.
Original liner notes by Ira Gitler.
Featured in an early edition of the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: "arguably Smith's greatest album, relentlessly grooving, harmonically sophisticated, and earthy as the Delta mud."
Other reviews/ratings:
- Billboard: "another powerhouse album from Smith"
- CashBox: "unleashes his potent organ talents full-blast"
- DownBeat: ★★★
- The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★
In 1987, this album was selected by Blue Note as one of the 25 Best Albums on the label.
Update: In 2024, uDiscover Music ranked this album at #27 on its list of The 50 Greatest Blue Note Albums.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #14
Tracks: 4 tracks, lots of R&B (heavy on the B) with similar swingin' grooves throughout. But if you like that sorta thing, then it's all good. This 2007 Rudy Van Gelder Edition contains one bonus track, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, and while it isn't blues, it's a great take on a standard.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
The Best of Jimmy Smith: The Blue Note Years (1988)
Houseparty (1958)
The Sermon! (1958)
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