Johnny Hammond Smith-Gears (1975)

Nicknamed "Hammond" for his immense talent on the Hammond B-3 organ, Johnny Hammond Smith was a renowned jazz, soul, funk, and R&B musician who launched his career during the vibrant hard bop era of the late 1950s. By the mid-1970s, and after releasing some thirty albums, Smith issued another of his landmark works, "Gears". For this project, the keyboardist collaborated with a large group of musicians who frequently worked as session players for the Blue Note label, including Larry and Fonce Mizell, Kenneth Nash, Harvey Mason, Craig McMullen, John Rowin, Hadley Caliman, and Michael White, among others. Recorded during a period when his style was shifting toward funk, reflecting his adaptation to the changing musical landscape of jazz and the broader industry, Smith went on to create several high-profile albums alongside the arranging team known as the Mizell Brothers. On albums such as "Gambler's Life" (1974) and "Gears", Smith began incorporating electric and acoustic pianos alongside his signature instrument. This album showcases an excellent funk and jazz repertoire, featuring standout tracks like "Tell Me What To Do", "Los Conquistadores Chocolatés", "Lost On 23rd Street", "Fantasy", and "Can't We Smile".