About

The Cat is jazz organist Jimmy Smith's 1964 album, a notable chart-marking release that reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Featuring Smith on the Hammond B-3, this set 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. The fact that Smith moved the Hammond organ from the dance floor to the jazz scene and upgraded it to become a fully-fledged improvisation instrument is to be found in every good dictionary of music. But what resulted must be heard to be believed.

No problem for our cat, crouched low and ready to pounce. She slinks along the Rhythm and Blues path, purrs through the night, steps nimbly to the St. Louis Blues, and gives the somewhat aged Basin Street a gentle blow with her paw. In the background is her powerful clan: Kenny Burrell with his firm grip, Don Butterfield with his strong tone, the thundering Grady Tate, and last but not least Lalo Schifrin, who watches over the haunt with a glinting eye. And then of course there is the Verve gang - who made a recording that is as black as the cat herself. Incredible! — via Label

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Label: Verve Records
Series: Acoustic Sounds Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold, 180g
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1964
Genre: Jazz
Style: Big Band, Hard Bop, Soul-Jazz

File under: Audiophile Jazz
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