One of the most innovative jazz organists of his era, Jimmy Smith was also one of the most prolific, producing no fewer than 13 albums in his first two years of recording. The quantity, however, would count for nothing if the quality was allowed to slip, and here Jimmy had few equals. There are just three tracks on display on The Sermon!, but the elongated cuts allow Jimmy and his band, which comprised Lee Morgan (trumpet), George Coleman and Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone), Tina Brooks (tenor saxophone), Eddie McFadden and Kenny Burrell (guitar) and Art Blakey and Donald Bailey (drums), to trade solos. The end result was described in the original sleeve notes as ‘Whether he is playing his furiously swinging, single-line solos or backing the other soloists, Jimmy Smith is always contributing to the underlying spirit of the entire section. The Sermon is one you can listen to on a Sabbath or any and all of the other six days.’

1. The Sermon
2. J.O.S.
3. Flamingo