Jimmy Smith – The Cat (1964/2012) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Jimmy Smith – The Cat (1964/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 32:49 minutes | 733 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Verve

In his years with Verve, Jimmy Smith and his jaunty jazz organ made four appearances on Billboard’s hit-singles charts with his recordings of contemporary movie themes. This album, arranged by Lalo Schifrin, features selections from two film scores (including “The Cat,” for which composer Schifrin won a Grammy), some big-band style orchestrations, and plenty of blues. In 1964 this release defied the boundaries of idiom, appealing to a huge audience of jazz, r&b, and pop fans. Screaming film noir horns frame Smith’s jaw-dropping organ runs that practically sweat emotion.

Compared to his earlier Blue Note recordings, organist Jimmy Smith’s outings for Verve are not as strong from a jazz standpoint. Certainly his renditions of the “Theme from Joy House,” “The Cat” and the “Main Title from The Carpetbaggers” are not all that significant. However, this disc has some tasteful arrangements for the big band by Lalo Schifrin and some good playing by the great organist on a variety of other blues-oriented material. Also the combination of organ with a big band is sometimes quite appealing, making this album worth picking up despite its commercial tracks.

Tracklist:

1. Jimmy Smith – Theme From Joy House (04:38)
2. Jimmy Smith – The Cat (03:24)
3. Jimmy Smith – Basin Street Blues (03:59)
4. Jimmy Smith – Main Title From “The Carpetbaggers” (03:57)
5. Jimmy Smith – Chicago Serenade (03:57)
6. Jimmy Smith – St. Louis Blues (03:17)
7. Jimmy Smith – Delon’s Blues (04:47)
8. Jimmy Smith – Blues In The Night (04:47)

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