Altoist
Tab Smith, who first gained recognition with
Count Basie's orchestra in the mid-'40s, became an unexpected R&B star in the early '50s, thanks in large part to his hit version of "Because of You." Between 1951-1957,
Smith recorded 90 songs for the United Record Company, of which only 48 were issued. Delmark, in their CD reissue series, came out with all of the music in chronological order. This first release has the initial 20 (including the hit), and
Tab Smith sounds fine on the sweet ballads, blues, and concise jump tunes. The backup crew includes trumpeter
Sonny Cohn, tenor
Leon Washington, and either
Lavern Dillon or
Teddy Brannon on piano.