What makes A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One by Jimmy Smith notable?

This album is significant for its influence on the hard bop movement, showcasing the versatility of the organ beyond traditional settings. It received critical acclaim, helping to elevate Smith's profile within jazz circles and contributing to the growing popularity of soul jazz during the late 1950s. By the time 'A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One' was released in July 1957, Smith had already established himself as a pioneering jazz organist. This album marked his first collaboration with Blue Note Records, solidifying his role in the burgeoning jazz scene and expanding the use of the Hammond B-3 organ in jazz music.

How many songs are on A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One?

A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One has 3 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One

Jimmy Smith · 1957

34 min · 3 tracks · funk

A vibrant blend of soulful organ grooves and hard bop rhythms that invites listeners to dance while embracing jazz's improvisational spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Falling in Love With Love — This track exemplifies Smith's ability to infuse romantic melodies with energetic improvisation, showcasing his mastery of the Hammond organ.
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How High the Moon — The performance shines through its rhythmic complexity, blending playful motifs with intricate solos that highlight Smith's innovative approach to jazz standards.
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Funk's Oats — This extended piece allows for expansive exploration, emphasizing the interplay between Smith’s organ and the rhythm section, ultimately defining the album’s adventurous spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album features strong compositions and skilled performances that highlight the organ's role in jazz.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brisk tempo on 'Falling in Love With Love', featuring intricate organ lines that set a lively mood.
Each track showcases extended improvisation, particularly in 'Funk's Oats', where the organ takes center stage against a backdrop of tight rhythm section work.
The running time is concise, with only three tracks totaling around 30 minutes, allowing for focused exploration of each piece.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Falling in Love With Love 12:09
2 How High the Moon 6:01
3 Funk's Oats 15:53

What to play next

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Go back to

At the Organ - The Incredible Jimmy Smith Volume 3

1956

Full Jimmy Smith discography Artists like Jimmy Smith

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata