Root Down, Jimmy Smith, LP

Limited 180 gram vinyl LP pressing. Root Down captures the king of the Hammond B3 organ, Jimmy Smith, playing down and dirty R&B. The album includes two versions (one previously unissued) of Smith's "Root Down," a song covered by the Beastie Boys in 1994. There is also a hypnotic reading of Al Green's pleading "Let's Stay Together," which yet again proves that Jimmy Smith is a man with a lot of soul. Jimmy achieved the rare distinction of releasing a series of instrumental jazz albums that often charted on Billboard. Smith helped popularize the Hammond B-3 electric organ, creating an indelible link between sixties soul and jazz improvisation.