Jimmy Smith's Finest Hour
Few musicians have ever been able to generate the sheer excitement of organist Jimmy Smith, straddling the worlds of jazz and R&B; and matching keyboard wizardry with an ability to find the funky essence of a groove. His Verve recordings of the 1960s presented him in big-band and small-group formats, and there's a good sampling of both here. His hit "Walk on the Wild Side," arranged byOliver Nelson, andLalo Schifrin's "The Cat" effectively update the big-band tradition, with the brass acting as an effective balance to Smith's surging, electric power. He's more inventive in the small groups, though, especially when matched with comparable giants of the bluesy end of the jazz spectrum, like frequent partnerKenny BurrellorWes Montgomeryon "James and Wes." This is an excellent introduction, with Smith's adding blazing runs and electric soul to familiar material fromJames BrownandMuddy Waters, as well as originals and older pop and swing tunes.--Stuart Broomer