Cool Blues (Rudy Van Gelder Edition) (1958)

De organist is vooral bekend om z'n souljazzwerk uit de jaren '60. Deze opnamen stammen van daarvóór en laten stomende hardbop horen. Luister naar Smiths stevig gearticuleerde notenwatervallen in nooit geëvenaarde orgelspelstijl. "This CD should greatly interest all Jimmy Smith collectors, including those who already have the original LP. In addition to four excellent selections (quintets with altoist Lou Donaldson, Tina Brooks on tenor, guitarist Eddie McFadden, either Art Blakey or Donald Bailey on drums, and the organist/leader), there are three previously unissued numbers from the same gig, featuring the quartet of Donaldson, Smith, McFadden, and Bailey. The repertoire is filled with blues and bop standards, and the soloing is at a consistently high and hard-swinging level. Jimmy Smith fans will be pleased. [The 2002 re-release by Blue Note includes several songs not included on the original: "Announcements by Babs Gonzales," "What's New," "Small's Minor," and "Once in a While."]" (allmusic)