More than 150 albums in over 50 years of recording career: In the insanely large output of Jimmy Smith, the one and only grandmaster on the B3 Hammond organ, there are countless outstanding recordings. Also and especially on the not so few albums with orchestra.

I think ‚Stay Loose‘ is one of those remarkable albums. The opener and title track is one of the grooviest Souljazz tracks ever. Brass, hookline, this mischievous and self-confident vocals – get on the dancefloor, always! The rest of the album is also crazy oiled Jimmy Smith organ madness.

Here the word orchestral accompaniment gets its true meaning: John McIntosh’s precise and powerful orchestra with such top-class musicians as Grady Tate, Stanley Turrentine or Phil Upchurch never gets the chance to prevail against Mr. Smith. Accompaniment of the organ star – that’s all there is to it. An insanely good and cheerful record.

Or in the words of Mr. Smith: STAY LOOSE – A FREEDOM FREAK-OUT AND FREE FOR ALL!

Stefan Mohr