Cool Blues [Bonus Tracks]

1	Dark Eyes 11:43
2	Groovin' at Small's 12:01
3	Announcements by Babs Gonzales / Babs Gonzales 0:26
4	A Night in Tunisia 17:04
5	Cool Blues 11:07
6	What's New? 6:18
7	Small's Minor 6:44
8	Once in a While 6:46

Barnes & Noble

Stretching out with some heavy-hitting friends behind him, Jimmy Smith proves why he was, and remains, the king of the Hammond organ. The elements of a classic jam session were all in place on April 7, 1958, the night this album was recorded at Small’s Paradise in New York. Among Smith’s hard-bopping buddies were alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson, the underrated and underecorded tenor saxophone master Tina Brooks, and the iconic Art Blakey, who contributes steaming drums on the first three tracks. (Smith’s regular trio mates, guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Donald Bailey, who fills in for the remainder of the tracks, were also on hand.) With four of the performances more than ten minutes long, there’s plenty of playing to be heard from the inspired participants; it’s always good to hear Donaldson in a straight-ahead bop mode, and whatever extra we can get from Brooks is never to be dismissed. Smith, of course, more than holds his own in fast company. In fact, he’s particularly energized here, slamming out keyboard passages and pumping bass lines with passion and abandon. As a document of friends hanging out and having serious fun, Cool Blues is way cool. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

This CD should greatly interest all Jimmy Smith collectors, including those who already have the original LP. In addition to four excellent selections (quintets with altoist Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks on tenor, guitarist Eddie McFadden, either Art Blakey or Donald Bailey on drums, and the organist/leader), there are three previously unissued numbers from the same gig, featuring the quartet of Donaldson, Smith, McFadden, and Bailey. The repertoire is filled with blues and bop standards, and the soloing is at a consistently high and hard-swinging level. Jimmy Smith fans will be pleased. [The 2002 re-release by Blue Note includes several songs not included on the original: "Announcements by Babs Gonzales," "What's New," "Small's Minor," and "Once in a While."] Scott Yanow