The Sermon

Product Description

The 20-minute title tune is a priceless meditation on the blues. Sidemen include Lee Morgan Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks, Kenny Burrell and Art Blakey. This CD features the album in its original form.

LEE MORGAN, trumpet; LOU DONALDSON, GEORGE COLEMAN, alto saxophones; TINA BROOKS, tenor saxophone; KENNY BURRELL, EDDIE McFADDEN, guitars; JIMMY SMITH, organ; ART BLAKEY, DONALD BAILEY, drums.

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Jimmy Smith put the Hammond B-3 organ on the jazz map for good in the 1950s. The Sermon, dating from 1958, is among his best recordings, featuring the exceptional lineup of trumpeter Lee Morgan, altoist Lou Donaldson, tenorman Tina Brooks, guitarist Kenny Burrell, drummer Art Blakey, and others. Smith’s smooth, vibratoless sound perfectly suits the nimble and prodding leads of the player as he touches on R&B, soul, blues and, of course, gospel. This brings us to “The Sermon,” which is reason enough to seek this gem out. Smith’s group takes the title tune out for a 20-minute, fully improvised, slow-blues stroll, during which each player shares the spotlight. The soul-stirring feeling set in motion by Smith rubs off on the other musicians to make this tune and album a defining moment in organ jazz, and even in soul music. The Sermon stands as a sparkling gem in the Rudy Van Gelder reissue series. –Tad Hendrickson