Jimmy Smith: Walkin'

Jimmy Smith was the most important organist in jazz, the guy who turned the Hammond B-3 into a bona fide jazz instrument, and Groovin at Smalls Paradise is his greatest recording. A two-disc set drawn from a night at the famed Harlem jazz club, it burns and grooves like mad. Walkin is taken at a nice middle tempo, Smiths feet literally walking the familiar bassline on the pedals while his hands massage the keyboards. Guitarist Eddie McFaddens solo is particularly bright and effusive, punctuated by Smiths swirls and stabs. Smiths own solo, which begins at the 4½-minute mark and runs for 5 whole minutes, tears up the keys with machine-gun rapidity. It ranks among his most invigorating moments on record. A perfect blues from a great trio.