Jimmy Smith - Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo (1966)

Creed Taylor matched two of his most famous artists, Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith, on this session (Montgomery's last for Verve), and the results are incendiary -- a near-ideal meeting of yin and yang. Smith comes at your throat with his big attacks and blues runs while Montgomery responds with rounder, smoother octaves and single notes that still convey much heat. They are an amazing pair, complementing each other, driving each other, using their bop and blues taproots to fuse together a sound. The romping, aggressive big band charts -- Oliver Nelson at his best -- on "Down by the Riverside" and "Night Train," and the pungently haunting chart for Gary McFarland's "13" (Death March)" still leave plenty of room for the soloists to stretch out. "James and Wes" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" include drummer Grady Tate and conguero Ray Barretto, with Smith's own feet working the organ pedals. The Verve Master Edition reissue also includes an alternate take of "O.G.D." with Tate and Barretto, a track previously surfacing on a long-gone Encyclopedia of Jazz anthology LP from the '60s -- a neat bonus that makes this the preferred version.

by Richard S. Ginell in All Music Guide

Styles:
Crossover Jazz
Hard-Bop
Soul

Tracks:
01 - Down by the Riverside (10:02)
02 - Night Train (06:48)
03 - James and Wes (08:13)
04 - 13 (Death March) (05:22)
05 - Baby, It's Cold Outside (06:05)
06 - O.G.D. (aka Road Song) (05:13)

Line-up:
Jimmy Smith – Hammond organ
Wes Montgomery – guitar
Grady Tate - drums
Jerry Dodgion - alto saxophone, clarinet, flute
Bob Ashton - tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, alto flute
Phil Woods - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, alto flute
Clark Terry - trumpet, flugelhorn
Jimmy Maxwell - trumpet
Jimmy Cleveland - trombone
Tony Studd - bass trombone
Jerome Richardson - clarinet, alto & tenor flutes
Richard Davis - bass
Ray Barretto - conga, jingle bells

Jimmy Smith - Back at the Chicken Shack (1960)

Back at the Chicken Shack is one of organist Jimmy Smith's classic Blue Note sessions, and the first to draw attention to tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recorded in 1960 with Kenny Burrell on guitar, Donald Bailey on drums, and Turrentine, the group reaches the peak of funky soul-jazz that all other challengers of the genre would have to live up to. Included on this uptempo session is a reworking of "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (a feature for Turrentine), Turrentine's "Minor Chant," two Smith compositions, "Messy Bessie" as well as the set's notable title cut, and the CD-only bonus track, "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Smith's Midnight Special album was recorded at these same sessions, and is also exceptional.

by All Campbell in All Music Guide

Styles:
Jazz Blues
Soul

Tracks:
01 - Back at the Chicken Shack (8:01)
02 - When I Grow Too Old to Dream (9:54)
03 - Minor Chant (7:30)
04 - Messy Bessie (12:25)
05 - On the Sunny Side of the Street (5:45)

Line-up:
Jimmy Smith - organ
Kenny Burrell - guitar
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Donald Bailey - drums

Jimmy Smith - The Sermon! (1958)

The seven sides on The Sermon! (1958) come from a pair of studio dates, the first of which was held August 25, 1957 and includes Jimmy Smith (organ), Lee Morgan (trumpet), George Coleman (alto sax), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Kenny Burrell (guitar) and Donald Bailey (drums). This was followed by a second exactly six months (to the day) later on February 25, 1958. Along with Smith, present and accounted for during the session were Lou Donaldson (alto sax) replacing Coleman in addition to contributions from Tina Brooks (tenor sax) and the ubiquitous Art Blakey (drums). From the '57 confab are the popular music standards "S'Wonderful" and "Blue Room". The former is given an unhurried mid-tempo workout as Morgan banters sublime licks with McFadden. Fuller's full round tones effortlessly manoeuvre "Blue Room" with the intimate trio of Bailey and Smith in support. The real essence can be heard in the variety of styles utilized in the latter gathering. An emotive "Lover Man" is punctuated by Donaldson's fluid leads behind Smith's heartfelt changes. This is sharply distinguished by the longer jams featuring Burrell, Blakey and mighty impressive blows throughout from Morgan and Brooks. They ride hard on the Bird classics "Confirmation" and an intense "Au Privave". Brooks' solos are much of the reason why each excels with such bop finesse and are best experienced rather than simply read about. "Flamingo" is a sumptuous ballad that allows Morgan and Burrell to trade some laid back lines within the context of an unencumbered rhythm section. Whether upgrading the mid ‘80s CD or discovering the platter for the first time, The Sermon! is a prime example of Smith and company's myriad of talents.
by Lindsay Planer at All Music Guide

Style:
Hard Bop
Soul Jazz

Tracks:
01 The Sermon
02 J.O.S.
03 Flamingo

Line-up:
Jimmy Smith - organ
Lee Morgan - trumpet
Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
George Coleman - alto saxophone
Tina Brooks - tenor saxophone
Kenny Burrell - guitar
Eddie McFadden - guitar
Art Blakey - drums
Donald Bailey - drums

The Sermon