When Rudy Van Gelder was still using the small recording studio he had set up in his parents' house in Hackensack, New Jersey, Blue Note moved to the ballroom of the Manhattan Towers Hotel in New York for a while to record with larger ensembles. In August 1957 and February 1958, Hammond organist Jimmy Smith threw his bopping, bluesy "House Party" there with two different all-star bands. The recordings for the follow-up album "The Sermon!" were also made at the same sessions.

The real magic comes from how Smith anchors the groove with his Hammond B-3 while letting his collaborators fly around him, never overshadowing the momentum but watching over it like a sly conductor. With each track, the mood shifts subtly yet remains compelling and freshthis is jazz thats both rooted in tradition and full of lively swing.

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition: Stereo, mastered by Kevin Gray, pressed on 180g vinyl by Optimal, in a single sleeve.

Reviews

The real pleasure lies in the experience of hearing it. AllMusic

A1 Au Private
A2 Lover Man
B1 Just Friends
B2 Blues After All