This 1963 LP on TP4 Music finds the organist in a stew of soulful grooves and gospel-tinged improvisation. It is a prime example of the organ jazz sound that would dominate jazz clubs for the next decade.
- Recorded in 1963, "Mr. Wonderful" was released on the short-lived TP4 Music label. The album features Johnny “Hammond” Smith on the Hammond B-3 organ, with a backing band. It remains a sought-after item for collectors of 1960s soul jazz.
- "Mr. Wonderful" showcases Smith's signature Hammond B-3 style, characterized by deep bluesy chords and rapid-fire melodic runs. The repertoire blends originals with soulful interpretations of standards.
- The album was recorded during a period of intense creativity for Smith, following his early work with Lou Donaldson and his own burgeoning solo career. He would go on to release numerous albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Johnny “Hammond” Smith was a pioneering American soul jazz and jazz-funk organist. He was a prolific recording artist for Prestige and other labels in the 1960s and 70s.
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