Johnny "Hammond" Smith - All Soul (1959) [2013 Prestige New Jazz Chronicle] CD-Rip

Reissue features the latest DSD remastering and HR cutting. Also features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players). On Johnny "Hammond" Smith's first album as a leader, the organist simply sits himself down in front of a standard guitar-bass-drums trio (featuring guitarist Thornel Schwartz, who had previously worked with Jimmy Smith) and lets rip. The songs are a nice combination of standards, like "Secret Love," "The Masquerade Is Over" and "Pennies From Heaven," along with Smith originals that have a more blues-based, gospel-like air.

His playing throughout is excellent, although at this point in his career, his influences (Jimmy Smith – no relation – and Wild Bill Davis, mostly) are still clearly audible. In particular, Smith seems to have picked up Jimmy Smith's familiar walking basslines and chunky left-hand chords; however, his lengthy and wide-ranging solos incorporate influences ranging from Bud Powell onwards, suggesting that his early career as a pianist was still coloring his sound. Smith would go on to make better albums, but All Soul is a promising debut.

Tracks:

01 - Goin' Places
02 - Sweet Cookies
03 - The Masquerade Is Over
04 - Pennies From Heaven
05 - Easy Like
06 - Secret Love
07 - All Soul

Personnel:

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - organ
Thornel Schwartz - guitar
George Tucker - bass
Leo Stevens - drums