This mid-1960s release finds the influential jazz organist Jimmy Smith accompanied by Oliver Nelson\’s big band in an album of blues and soul-jazz that blends Smith\’s eclectic and entertaining style with Nelson\’s tight, dynamic arrangements. Down-and-dirty traditional blues such as \”I\’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man\” and \”Boom Boom\” run back-to-back with Nelson\’s modernist arrangements on \”Blues and the Abstract Truth\” and the slow-burning \”TNT,\” and Smith also contributes vocals on many tracks.

Jazz organist Jimmy Smith popularized the use of Hammond organ in jazz music and is credited with having invented the soul jazz style. Many of his albums are classics and his influence is omnipresent in the jazz world. For this 1966 release on Verve, Smi

Arranger: Oliver Nelson.

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Bill Suyker, Kenny Burrell, Barry Galbraith (guitar); Buddy Lucas (harmonica); Bob Ashton, Jack Agee, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Phil Woods (reeds); Ernie Royal, Dick Williams, Gene Young, Joe Newman (trumpet); Donald Corrado, Willie Ruff (French horn); Melba Liston, Quentin Jackson, Tom McIntosh, Britt Woodman (trombone); Don Butterfield (tuba); Bob Cranshaw (electric bass); Grady Tate (drums); Bobby Rosengarden (bongos, percussion).