Jimmy Smith - Groove Drops (1970) [Vinyl]

I love this album! It was a favorite of mine as a kid growing up in the 70's, and revisiting it in the present day has been no less fun for me. Jimmy is in fine form on all tracks, with infectious grooves on the aptly named title track, as well as Sunny and Ode to Billie Jo. The funky backbeats heard on this album were a favorite thing for Smith. He loved that beat and used it on numerous tunes in his career. The other songs on the album, Days of Wine and Roses, Who Can I Turn To, feature gorgeous Hammond balladeering as none other was capable of quite like Jimmy Smith. This album showcases a great master of the Hammond organ at the top of his form. There are many great organists then and now, but this is one of Jimmy's best albums.