The Turbanator

by David R. AdlerThese 1991 recordings went unreleased until 2000, and they're well-worth hearing. Smith begins with a ripping Hammond B3 reading of Duke Ellington's "Caravan," joined by guitarist Jimmy Ponder and drummer Buddy Williams. There are two more standards, "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Cherokee," the latter surprisingly played as a ballad. But four blues-based originals fill the remainder of the program, three of which feature Smith on acoustic piano and Buster Williams on bass. Tenor saxophonist Houston Person also appears on two of the tracks. From burning swing to ballads to funk, Smith's touch on both organ and piano is highly individual and effective. For guitar fans, the presence of the underappreciated Jimmy Ponder is an added value.