JIMMY SMITH / HOME COOKIN - Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. The Incredible Jimmy Smith was a self-taught keyboard virtuoso who gave up the piano in 1954 in favor of the Hammond B3 organ, setting up shop in a warehouse in Philadelphia and woodshedding for a year before emerging with a revolutionary approach to the instrument that immediately caught the ear Alfred Lion. The Blue Note founder recorded the B3 innovator as often as he could between 1956-1963 in a range of different settings and released a tremendous run of albums that laid the foundation for the Soul Jazz movement. Drawn from three different sessions recorded in 1958-1959, Home Cookin' featured Smith in a quartet with tenor saxophonist Percy France, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Donald Bailey, and it stands as one of the most deeply soulful albums Smith ever made. The band gives a soul jazz symposium on this seven-song set that includes covers of tunes by Ma Rainey, Ray Charles, and Jimmy McGriff along with originals by Smith and Burrell. - This Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optima

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2021 release. On this night the good doctor took the stage with an expanded line-up featuring Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar, Johnathan Blake on drums, John Ellis on tenor saxophone, Jason Marshall on baritone saxophone, Sean Jones on trumpet, and Robin Eubanks on trombone with special guest vocalist Alicia Olatuja on "Pilgrimage." Two additional studio tracks open and close the album, presenting the unique collaboration between Doc & Iggy Pop including a sublime cover of Donovan's 1966 hit "Sunshine Superman."

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. After his return to Blue Note where he first made a name for himself with a run of classic soul jazz albums between 1968-70, Hammond B-3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith recorded All In My Mind during his 75th birthday celebration at the Jazz Standard in New York City with guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Jonathan Blake. For the first time on vinyl, this 5-song Tone Poet Edition features spirited interpretations of songs by Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Paul Simon and more.

Hammond B-3 organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith releases All in My Mind, a spirited live trio album that the NEA Jazz Master recorded during his 75th birthday celebration at the Jazz Standard in New York City this past summer. The album is the follow-up to his acclaimed 2016 release Evolution, which marked Smith's return to Blue Note Records - At 75 years old Smith still reigns as a master of innovation and experimentation. He may have been away from Blue Note for 46 years, but he perfectly fits in with the current mission of label president Don Was to present the future movements of jazz as well as honoring those who forged the tradition. "Dr. Lonnie Smith returns to the Blue Note label with an album that reveals the enduring appeal of organ soul," raved The Wall Street Journal in a 2016 review of Evolution, adding that the album "showcases a variety of organ-soul stylings [and] demonstrates the versatility and currency of the style."

Limited 180 gram vinyl LP pressing. Root Down captures the king of the Hammond B3 organ, Jimmy Smith, playing down and dirty R&B. The album includes two versions (one previously unissued) of Smith's "Root Down," a song covered by the Beastie Boys in 1994. There is also a hypnotic reading of Al Green's pleading "Let's Stay Together," which yet again proves that Jimmy Smith is a man with a lot of soul. Jimmy achieved the rare distinction of releasing a series of instrumental jazz albums that often charted on Billboard. Smith helped popularize the Hammond B-3 electric organ, creating an indelible link between sixties soul and jazz improvisation.

Jimmy Smith is widely regarded as one of the premier Jazz keyboardists of all time, specializing on the organ. He has had loads of charting albums, a rare thing for a Jazz artist. This reissue of his 1983 album features seven tracks including 'Be Yourself', 'Summertime' and more.. Featured players on this CD are Kenny Burrell & Johnny Griffin. Wounded Bird. 2006.

Brace yourselves for the Art of Organizing, the very first appearance onCriss Cross by organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith. Guitarist Peter Bernstein and Billy Drummond, one of the more prolific and sensitive drummers of our time, completes the lineup. From his early days with George Benson and Lou Donaldson to the present day, Dr. Lonnie Smith has always been a driving force in jazz. The Art of Organizing, featuring Smith and trio on standards and a batch of strong new originals, is another contribution that will remain timeless.

Vinyl LP pressing. As far as B-3 Hammond organ is concerned, Jimmy Smith is the greatest ever at that instrument. Like the best recordings of the greatest period for improvisational jazz that lasted from about 1950 to the late 1960's, The Sermon is only one example of the numerous sessions that many top notch players gathered for, taking turns as leaders and sidemen. On The Sermon, Smith is accompanied by the likes such as Kenny Burrell, Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks and Art Blakey. It was produced by Rudy Van Gelder for Blue Note, and was Smith's fifteenth album in three years. The Sermon is a bebop-hardbop masterclass and at least a decade ahead of it's time.

CAT

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery - Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo - Vinyl LP pressing. Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo is a 1966 collaborative album by American jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery and electric organist Jimmy Smith, with arrangements by Oliver Nelson. It is frequently listed among Jimmy Smith's best albums

It's a testament to Jimmy Smith's volcanic creativity that the Hammond B3 organ firebrand recorded not one but two soul jazz classics-Midnight Special and Back at the Chicken Shack-in a single day when he entered Van Gelder Studio on April 25, 1960 with Stanley Turrentine on tenor saxophone, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Donald Bailey on drums. Smith had been a self-taught pianist before abandoning the instrument in 1954 in favor of the organ, renting a Philadelphia warehouse, and woodshedding for a year until he emerged with a revolutionary style that immediately caught the ear Alfred Lion. The Blue Note boss dubbed him The Incredible Jimmy Smith and recorded the B3 innovator as frequently as he could between 1956-1963. Midnight Special opens with the soulful title track which chugs along at a laid-back pace giving ample space for Smith, Turrentine, and Burrell to state their case. Other highlights of the set include the up-tempo burner "Jumpin' the Blues" and a deeply felt ballad performance of the standard "Why Was I Born?" This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Japanese SHM-CD pressing. Universal. 2018.

ITS A SIN TO TELL A LIE / STRANGER IN PARADISE

Move Your Hand is Lonnie's most soulful and most sampled Blue Note album. With a quintet fronted by saxophonists Rudy Jones and Ronnie Cuber, Lonnie even makes Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" groove. Added to the CD is the one remaining tune from this session, "Dancin' in An Easy Groove," which made it's first appearance on last year's Lost Grooves collection.

The Hammond organ received it's day in the sun thanks to virtuoso Jimmy Smith. The Blue Note label alumnus found instant success by making the unusual instrument the focal point of his work in jazz and blues. Collected are his most formidable works as a bandleader and instrumentalist.

Continuing Mr Bongo's series exploring the wealth of material released through the record labels of Sonny Lester, 1977's Funk Reaction finds Hammond B3 organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith at his most dancefloor-friendly. Dripping with groove and swagger, this album skates between jazz-funk, cosmic disco radiance, beat-laden slow-jams and conscious psychedelic soul. Having played with the likes of George Benson and Lou Donaldson in the '60s, alongside releasing a string of albums on Columbia and Blue Note, Funk Reaction sees Smith move into late '70s disco-funk-tinged territory. Originally released on Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant Records successor, Lester Radio Corporation, the album feels more like a collaborative band-orientated project as opposed to a solo artist outing. Featuring some elite session players of the time, including Steve Gadd on drums, guitarist Lance Quinn and bassist Bob Babbitt, the album is tied together expertly by songwriter, arranger and conductor Brad Baker. It's worth the price tag alone for the superb disco-funk nugget 'Funk Reaction'. Other highlights include the only Lonnie Smith penned track on the album 'All In My Mind', that shines with a beautiful Stevie Wonder-esque quality and the slick guitar-led floater 'When The Night Is Right', written by and featuring guitarist Richie Hohenburger. Elsewhere, 'For The Love Of It' and the Brad Babbitt written 'Babbitt's Other Song' serve up classic jazz funk flavours, both featuring stellar tenor saxophone from Eddie Daniels. As a whole, the album is a superb example of Lonnie Smith's ability to merge jazz with elements of funk, soul, disco and beyond, experimenting with ideas whilst broadening the scope of both his audience and appeal. Fans of The Blackbyrds, the CTI / Kudu stable and '70s George Benson will dig this!

The second in our Mr Bongo series opening the vault on classic recordings from the fabled Groove Merchant Records catalogue. This time the spotlight turns to the Hammond B3 organ maestro Lonnie Smith, as we proudly present a reissue of his cosmic jazz-funk journey, 'Afro-Desia'. Originally released in 1975, this much-loved album was produced by Groove Merchant label owner Sonny Lester and features the mysterious 'Compliments Of A Friend' on guitar. Considering Smith was part of George Benson's quartet in the '60s, that not so discreet veil appears to have been lifted on who this 'friend' might be. However, presumably due to contractual reasons, Benson had to remain covert for this recording. The lineup doesn't stop there though, with the likes of legendary bassist Ron Carter and Grammy award winning saxophonist Joe Lavano joining the outfit.

ROCKIN THE BOAT

VERY BEST

Organist Lonnie Smith is as explosive as he is soulful. After building a reputation with Lou Donaldson and George Benson, he made his Blue Note debut in 1968 with this groove-drenched date that features Lee Morgan and David 'Fathead' Newman. A trio of percussionists intensify the rhythm on Lonnie's two originals. Rudy Van Gelder re-mastered edition. Blue Note. 2005.

Limited edition of 750 numbered copies on smoke coloured 180-gram audiophile vinyl. Lonnie Smith (1942 - 2021), was an American jazz organist. He was part of several vocal ensembles in the 1950s, including the Teen Kings which included Grover Washington Jr. Art Kubera, the owner of a local music store, gave Smith his first organ, a Hammond B3. Smith's affinity for R&B mixed with his own personal style as he became active in the local music scene. In 1965 he met guitarist George Benson. The two connected on a personal level and formed the George Benson Quartet, featuring Lonnie Smith, in 1966. After two albums under Benson's leadership, Smith recorded his first solo album 'Finger Lickin' Good (Soul Organ)' with George Benson and Melvin Sparks on guitar, Ronnie Cuber on baritone sax, and Marion Booker on drums. This combination remained stable for the next five years. After recording several albums with Benson, Smith became a solo recording artist and subsequently recorded over 30 albums under his own name. Numerous prominent jazz artists joined Smith on his albums and in his live performances, including Lee Morgan, David "Fathead" Newman, King Curtis, Blue Mitchell, and Joe Lovano. The album 'Finger Lickin' Good (Soul Organ)' showcases Lonnie Smith's virtuosity and his innovative approach on the organ, with tracks that feature intricate solos and groovy rhythms so typical of the soul jazz and jazz funk genres. Lonnie Smith was named 9 times "the best organist of the year" by the Jazz Journalists Association.

The Fantastic Jimmy Smith is a collection of tunes that are believed to be the very first recordings of the great jazz organist Jimmy Smith as a leader fronting his own band, featuring the singing drummer Don Gardner. The recordings portray a young Jimmy Smith whose style is still in development and shows the direct influence of the great Wild Bill Davis. The album should be a real eye opener for those who are only familiar with Smith�s early work for the Blue Note label. All selections have been newly remastered.

JIMMY SMITH / HOME COOKIN - The Incredible Jimmy Smith was a self-taught keyboard virtuoso who gave up the piano in 1954 in favor of the Hammond B3 organ, setting up shop in a warehouse in Philadelphia and woodshedding for a year before emerging with a revolutionary approach to the instrument that immediately caught the ear Alfred Lion. The Blue Note founder recorded the B3 innovator as often as he could between 1956-1963 in a range of different settings and released a tremendous run of albums that laid the foundation for the Soul Jazz movement. Drawn from three different sessions recorded in 1958-1959, Home Cookin' featured Smith in a quartet with tenor saxophonist Percy France, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Donald Bailey, and it stands as one of the most deeply soulful albums Smith ever made. The band gives a soul jazz symposium on this seven-song set that includes covers of tunes by Ma Rainey, Ray Charles, and Jimmy McGriff along with originals by Smith and Burrell.

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

BACK AT THE CHICKEN SHACK