Prime Time

For this Milestone release, organist Jimmy Smith utilized some of the top veterans then residing in Los Angeles, many of whom had been long underrated. With sidemen that include Curtis Peagler on tenor and alto, tenors Herman Riley and Rickey Woodard, either Phil Upchurch or Terry Evans on guitar, bassist Andy Simpkins, Michael Baker or Frank Wilson on drums and Barbara Morrison (who takes a vocal on "Farther on up the Road"), this is a particularly strong band. The fresh material (only "C Jam Blues" and "Honky Tonk" are standards) and spirited solos make this an easily recommended set of swinging jazz.