Damn!
Jimmy Smith · 1995
61 min · 9 tracks · funk
Dynamic grooves intertwine with soulful improvisation, showcasing a masterful blend of jazz and funk elements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag — This track embodies Smith's signature funky style, transforming James Brown's classic into a vibrant showcase for his organ prowess and rhythmic inventiveness.
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Watermelon Man — Smith's rendition of this Herbie Hancock classic highlights his ability to meld intricate jazz harmonies with infectious grooves, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Sister Sadie — With its engaging melody and dynamic interplay among musicians, this track illustrates Smith's knack for blending soulful expression with hard bop influences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic grooves with soulful improvisation, showcasing Smith's mastery in jazz-funk.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy cover of 'Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag', setting a lively tone that persists through the first half.
- Each track features extended improvisational sections, allowing Smith's organ work to dominate while the rhythm section maintains a steady groove.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo slightly, introducing more reflective moments that contrast with the earlier exuberance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady rhythmic journey throughout
- soulful improvisation for engagement
- dynamic grooves for dancing
- for lively gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Damn! marked Jimmy Smith's return to the recording scene after a hiatus, following his influential work in the 1960s and 1970s. This album was pivotal during a period when Smith aimed to reestablish his presence in the jazz world, infusing new energy into his signature Hammond B3 organ sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Herbie Hancock· Jimmy McGriff
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Sister Sadie
The arrangement shifts from smooth passages to vigorous solos that build tension before releasing into joyful improvisation.
This structural contrast emphasizes Smith's mastery over dynamics, showcasing how he can manipulate mood through orchestration and performance.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag 7:37
- 2 Sister Sadie 7:01
- 3 Woody ’n’ You 6:19
- 4 The One Before This 6:57
- 5 Watermelon Man 7:57
- 6 This Here 7:36
- 7 Scrapple From the Apple 5:27
- 8 Hi‐Fly 6:30
- 9 A La Mode 6:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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