Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith – Root Down – Live ! (2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 41:50 minutes | 1,66 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Verve

„Root Down“ is a 1972 live jazz album by Jimmy Smith, released on the Verve label. It was recorded in Los Angeles on February 8, 1972. It includes the song ‘Root Down (And Get It)’ which was sampled by the Beastie Boys for their song ‘Root Down.’ Toward the end of his stint with Blue Note, Jimmy Smith’s albums became predictable. Moving to Verve in the mid-’60s helped matters considerably, since he started playing with new musicians (most notably nice duets with Wes Montgomery) and new settings, but he never really got loose, as he did on select early Blue Note sessions. Part of the problem was that Smith’s soul-jazz was organic and laid-back, relaxed and funky instead of down and dirty. For latter-day listeners, aware of his reputation as the godfather of modern soul-jazz organ (and certainly aware of the Beastie Boys’ name drop), that may mean that Smith’s actual albums all seem a bit tame and restrained, classy, not funky. That’s true of the bulk of Smith’s catalog, with the notable exception of Root Down. Not coincidentally, the title track is the song the Beasties sampled on their 1994 song of the same name, since this is one of the only sessions that Smith cut where his playing his raw, vital, and earthy. Recorded live in Los Angeles in February 1972, the album captures a performance Smith gave with a relatively young supporting band who were clearly influenced by modern funk and rock. They push Smith to playing low-down grooves that truly cook: ‘Sagg Shootin’ His Arrow’ and ‘Root Down (And Get It)’ are among the hottest tracks he ever cut, especially in the restored full-length versions showcased on the 2000 Verve By Request reissue. There are times where the pace slows, but the tension never sags, and the result is one of the finest, most exciting records in Smith’s catalog. If you think you know everything about Jimmy Smith, this is the album for you.
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Jimmy Smith – Midnight Special (1961/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 36:34 minutes | 1,25 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Jimmy Smith’s April 25, 1960 session with the perfect cast of Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell and Donald Bailey produced this classic album that is the pinnacle of the organ-tenor style. A perfect selection of material played at the perfect tempo by great musicians who connect on the deepest, most soulful level.
The name Jimmy Smith is practically synonymous with jazz organ, and albums such as Midnight Special are part of the reason. Of course, there is Smith’s legendary gospel- and blues-rooted style and brilliant bebop chops, present on SPECIAL in ample doses. Also, one could not ask for a better band: Donald Bailey, one of Smith’s regular drummers; Kenny Burrell on guitar; and Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax. As great as Smith is, it’s Turrentine’s lusciously rich tenor tone and big bluesy honks that makes Midnight Special such a true joy. (Burrell’s burr, elegant guitar isn’t too shabby either.) In the end, this album is simply a party waiting to happen, for fans of Smith and soul-jazz alike.
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Jimmy Smith – Jimmy Smith Plays Fats Waller (1962/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 34:58 minutes | 662 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

Plays Fats Waller is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances of tunes associated with Fats Waller recorded in 1962 and released on the Blue Note label.
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Jimmy Smith – Jimmy Smith At The Organ, Volume 1 (1956/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 36:01 minutes | 390 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

The Incredible Jimmy Smith (subtitled Jimmy Smith at the Organ Vol. 3) is the third album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was rereleased on CD combined with Smith’s previous two LP’s A New Sound… A New Star… and A New Sound A New Star: Jimmy Smith at the Organ Volume 2.
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Jimmy Smith – Jimmy Smith At The Organ (1956/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 37:46 minutes | 1,19 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Rudy Van Gelder remastered edition. The late Jimmy Smith still was a new phenomenon when his third album was released in August 1956. Forty-nine years later, his music remains as vital and fresh as ever. With an incredible technique, Smith combined blues and be-bop and forged a new sound on a daunting instrument. Van Gelder outdid himself on this remastering job. This edition of the album boasts four bonus tracks: ‘Jamey’, ‘My Funny Valentine’, ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’ and ‘Slightly Monkish’.
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Jimmy Smith – I’m Movin’ On (1963/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 36:50 minutes | 1,45 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

One of the many consistently impressive things about Jimmy Smith is his ability to evoke different moods. “I’m Movin’ On” is no exception. Smith’s trio moves from the irresistible, laid-back groove of the title track, through the cowboy lope of ‘Hotel Happiness’ and soul-drenched blues ballads like ‘T’aint No Use’ to the lush, romantic rendering of ‘What Kind Of Fool Am I’, in which Smith’s organ conjures soft, floating clouds of sound. The release is distinguished by the guitar work of Grant Green, whose brilliantly measured, stylish solos perfectly augment Smith’s thick, intense leads. The album was recorded in 1963, but not released on the Blue Note label until 1967.
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Jimmy Smith – House Party (1958/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 43:32 minutes | 441 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Music Manager

House Party is the fourteenth album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was rereleased on CD with one bonus track.
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Jimmy Smith – Christmas Cookin’ (1992/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 49:11 minutes | 2,12 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Verve Reissues

“This Christmas jazz album has five selections in which organist Jimmy Smith is joined by a big band arranged by either Billy Byers or Al Cohn. The remaining selections feature Smith with a variety of trios; guitarist Wes Montgomery is heard on “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” one of two “bonus” cuts taken from other sessions that help to fill up this otherwise brief set. Smith is fine on “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and two versions of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and, even if nothing all that unusual occurs, the performances can serve as high-quality background music during the Christmas season.” (Scott Yanow, AMG)
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Jimmy Smith – Back At The Chicken Shack: The Incredible Jimmy Smith (1963/2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 37:54 minutes | 875 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Back At The Chicken Shack: The Incredible Jimmy Smith is the jazz legend’s seminal 1960 Blue Note session. Smith is joined by Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell and Donald Bailey for this funky soul-jazz masterpiece. Reaching the Top Twenty on the Billboard 200, the album includes the standouts “Minor Chant,” “Back At The Chicken Shack” and much more. It is included in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
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Jimmy Smith – A New Sound, A New Star (Remastered) (1956/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:23:01 minutes | 811 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

A New Sound… A New Star… is the debut album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was rereleased on CD combined with Smith’s following two LP’s A New Sound A New Star: Jimmy Smith at the Organ Volume 2 and The Incredible Jimmy Smith at the Organ.
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Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 1 & 2 (1957/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:08:09 minutes | 2,81 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

These 1957 sessions were the first Jimmy Smith did with horns after his recording debut the previous year. With the calibre of the top-rank musicians involved – Smith, the first to translate Bird’s innovations to the organ, altoist Donaldson, the blues-drenched Bird follower, and both Mobley and Byrd contributing some thoughtful blowing of their own on tenor and trumpet respectively – the overall results were rewarding.

VOL 1: After cutting five albums with his trio, organist Jimmy Smith on Feb. 11, 1957, recorded with trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Lou Donaldson and tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley in a sextet that also included guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Art Blakey. Among the five songs recorded that day, two (lengthy versions of “Falling in Love with Love” and “Funk’s Oats”) are included on this LP along with a shorter trio rendition of “How High the Moon” from two days later with McFadden and drummer Donald Bailey in a trio.

VOL 2: For the jam session date altoist Lou Donaldson has a duet with organist Jimmy Smith on “I’m Getting Sentimental over You,” and together they match up forces in a sextet with trumpeter Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley on tenor, guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Art Blakey, playing lengthy versions of Mobley’s “Groovy Date” and Duke Ellington’s “I Let a Song Go out of My Heart.” All of the Jimmy Smith jam sessions are easily recommended to fans of straightahead jazz.
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Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2 (1957/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 34:15 minutes | 1,09 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

After cutting five albums with his trio, organist Jimmy Smith on Feb. 11, 1957, recorded with trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Lou Donaldson and tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley in a sextet that also included guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Art Blakey. Among the five songs recorded that day, two (lengthy versions of “Falling in Love with Love” and “Funk’s Oats”) are included on this LP along with a shorter trio rendition of “How High the Moon” from two days later with McFadden and drummer Donald Bailey in a trio.
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Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 1 (1957/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 33:57 minutes | 1,16 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

“These 1957 sessions were the first Jimmy Smith did with horns after his recording debut the previous year. With the calibre of the top-rank musicians involved – Smith, the first to translate Bird’s innovations to the organ, altoist Donaldson, the blues-drenched Bird follower, and both Mobley and Byrd contributing some thoughtful blowing of their own on tenor and trumpet respectively – the overall results were rewarding.

In the rhythm section, McFadden’s warm guitar offered another colour to the organ-and-horns sound, and Blakey, as always, was a force of nature on drums in this no-holds-barred meeting of modern minds.” — FreshSoundRecords
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Jimmy Smith – Goldfinger (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 55:14 minutes | 629 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Delta Music

James Oscar Smith (December 8, 1925 – February 8, 2005) was an American jazz musician whose albums often appeared on Billboard magazine charts. He helped popularize the Hammond B-3 organ, creating a link between jazz and 1960s soul music.

In 2005, Smith was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honor that America bestows upon jazz musicians.
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Jimmy Smith – The Sermon Sessions (1957-1958) (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:26:04 minutes | 2,87 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © RevOla

This release contains Jimmy Smith’s complete classic Sermon sessions for the first time ever on a single set, in chronological order. 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. When these recordings were made, all of these musicians were in their early or late twenties.
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