Personnel: Jimmy Smith (vocals, organ); Johnny Pate (conductor); Marlena Shaw, Benard Ighner (vocals); Buddy Collette (alto saxophone); Herman Riley (tenor saxophone); Ernie Fields Jr. (baritone saxophone); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); George Bohanon (trombone); Maurice Spears (bass trombone); Mick Martin (harmonica); Philip Upchurch (guitar); Andy Simpkins (bass); Michael Baker (drums). Recorded at A&M Studios, Hollywood, California from January 12-14, 1993. 1993's SUM SERIOUS BLUES finds Smith a seasoned soul veteran with almost 40 years of performing under his belt. As is abundantly clear here, he is still able to swing as hard as ever. Backed with a full band including two trombones, three saxes, trumpet, guitar, harmonica and rhythm section, Smith is no less dextrous than in his Blue Note and Verve years. The ensemble work, thanks to conductor/arranger Johnny Pate, provides powerful, large-scale color to the organist's manipulations. Hard-swinging blues is still Smith's forte, and he delivers in cuts like the title track, "Round The Corner" and "Moof's Blues." Surprises like the Smith favorite "The Sermon," a vocal duet between Bernard Ighner and Marlena Shaw on "(I'd Rather) Drink Muddy Water" and Smith's own vocal on "Hurry Change, If You're Comin'," add variety. SUM SERIOUS BLUES proves Smith to be no less a force of nature in the '90s than he was in earlier incarnations.

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Personnel: Jimmy Smith (vocals, organ); Johnny Pate (conductor); Marlena Shaw, Benard Ighner (vocals); Buddy Collette (alto saxophone); Herman Riley (tenor saxophone); Ernie Fields Jr. (baritone saxophone); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); George Bohanon (trombone); Maurice Spears (bass trombone); Mick Martin (harmonica); Philip Upchurch (guitar); Andy Simpkins (bass); Michael Baker (drums). Recorded at A&M Studios, Hollywood, California from January 12-14, 1993. 1993's SUM SERIOUS BLUES finds Smith a seasoned soul veteran with almost 40 years of performing under his belt. As is abundantly clear here, he is still able to swing as hard as ever. Backed with a full band including two trombones, three saxes, trumpet, guitar, harmonica and rhythm section, Smith is no less dextrous than in his Blue Note and Verve years. The ensemble work, thanks to conductor/arranger Johnny Pate, provides powerful, large-scale color to the organist's manipulations. Hard-swinging blues is still Smith's forte, and he delivers in cuts like the title track, "Round The Corner" and "Moof's Blues." Surprises like the Smith favorite "The Sermon," a vocal duet between Bernard Ighner and Marlena Shaw on "(I'd Rather) Drink Muddy Water" and Smith's own vocal on "Hurry Change, If You're Comin'," add variety. SUM SERIOUS BLUES proves Smith to be no less a force of nature in the '90s than he was in earlier incarnations.