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)

Sonny Rollins "East Broadway Run Down", Impulse! 1967

Another great findings over the weekend.

During 60s, Sonny Rollins released 3 albums from Impluse! Records, and this one is definitely the masterpiece. East Broadway Run Down features 2 of John Coltrane's band members, Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison, as well as well-established trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (Jones left Coltrane's group in 1966, the year they recorded album). With them, Rollins delivered powerful free-form performance on title track, with Garrison's one note pulse and Jones' multi-layered rhythmic exchange of vamps. While the rhythm section keeping tension building, Rollins and Hubbard play theme in unison somewhat freely, with floating melody line.

This album is real good example of 60s Jazz, hard bop with free Jazz element added, but still remaining in unity. It is also available on CD. Highly recommended.

Personnel:
Sonny Rollins - Tenor Sax
Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
Elvin Jones - Drums

Side A:
1. East Broadway Run Down (20:25)

Side B:
1. Blessing In Disguise (12:24)
2. We Kiss In The Shadow (5:35)

Sonny Rollins Official Site
"East Broadway Run Down on Impulse! Records site