What makes Soul Flowers by Johnny "Hammond" Smith notable?

This album is significant for its blending of popular standards with original compositions, reflecting the evolving landscape of soul and jazz music during the late 60s. It received positive critical reception and contributed to Smith's status in the genre, influencing subsequent artists exploring similar fusions. Soul Flowers marked Johnny 'Hammond' Smith's transition into the late 1960s, following his earlier works that established him in the soul jazz scene. At this time, Smith was building on his reputation as a skilled organist and bandleader, showcasing a more expansive sound that would define his career.

How many songs are on Soul Flowers?

Soul Flowers has 17 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

Soul Flowers

Johnny "Hammond" Smith · 1968

69 min · 17 tracks · soul jazz

A vibrant blend of soul jazz that marries lush instrumental arrangements with emotive, groove-driven performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Got A Woman — This track stands out with its infectious rhythm and showcases Hammond's ability to blend soulful melodies with energetic grooves, making it a highlight of the album.
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Dirty Apple — Featuring a driving bassline and intricate organ work, this track exemplifies Smith's prowess in creating vibrant arrangements that capture the essence of soul jazz.
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To Sir With Love — Smith's interpretation brings a fresh swing to this classic, transforming it into a soulful experience while maintaining its emotional depth.
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You'll Never Walk Alone — This rendition infuses a sense of hope through expressive playing and rich harmonies, making it an emotionally resonant moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Soul Flowers showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, blending standards with originals in a cohesive yet varied manner.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature extended improvisation sections, allowing the musicians to explore grooves and melodies in depth.
The use of lush instrumental arrangements creates a rich soundscape, with the organ often taking the lead while other instruments provide harmonic support.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Theme From N.Y.P.D. 3:23
2 Dirty Apple 5:00
3 Days Of Wine And Roses 3:20
4 Ode To Billy Joe 3:15
5 You'll Never Walk Alone 3:10
6 Alfie 3:05
7 Tara's Theme (My Own True Love) 2:56
8 Here's That Rainy Day 3:24
9 I Got A Woman 5:26
10 Dirty Grape 3:00
11 Animal Farm 8:08
12 Black Strap Molasses 3:06
13 She's Gone Again 3:30
14 Hi Heel Sneakers 5:45
15 To Sir With Love 3:30
16 Love Is A Hurtin' Thing 3:41
17 Please Send Me Someone To Love 5:29

What to play next

Listen next

Soul Talk

1969

Go back to

Dirty Grape

1968

Full Johnny "Hammond" Smith discography Artists like Johnny "Hammond" Smith

soul jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata