Jimmy Smith - Livin' Up, Verve 1968

Jimmy Smith proved that he is not just organ Jazz musician, but was able to bring R & B soulful groove to his music. If he were simply plaing mainstream hard bop, then the sound of organ itself would not be recognized and appreciated by many other artists to follow his footsteps, especially for fusion of R & B, blues, and gospel influences. With driving soloing on his right, ubiquitous chodal accompaniment on his left hand, and flowing rhythmic bass line on his feet, Smith could fill every available keys from low to high note in various styles of music.

This is Jimmy Smith's 1968 release "Livin' Up" from Verve Records. During this time at Verve, he had collaborated with arranger and conductor Oliver Nelson leading big band to provide tightly arranged horn sections and soft string orchestration. The album opens with great cover of Mission Impossible Theme, as well as funk original "Big Boss Man", and "Burning Spears", composed by Richard Evans for Soulful Strings. Highly recommended.

Tracklist:
Side 1
A1. Mission Impossible (3:32)
A2. Refractions (4:48)
A3. The Gentle Rain (2:35)
A4. Burning Spear (3:53)
A5. Go Away Little Girl (2:43)

Side 2
B1. Livin' It Up (5:00)
B2. This Nearly Was Mine (3:15)
B3. Big Boss Man (6:14)
B4. Valley Of The Dolls (4:48)