Although still a regular Blue Note artist (he would make four more albums for the company within the next year),
Bashin' was organist
Jimmy Smith's debut for Verve, a label that he would record extensively for during 1963-1972. On the first half of the program (reissued in full on this CD),
Smith was for the first time joined by a big band.
Oliver Nelson provided the arrangements, trumpeter
Joe Newman and altoist
Phil Woods have a solo apiece, and "Walk on the Wild Side" became
Smith's biggest hit up to that point. The final three numbers feature
Smith's regular trio with guitarist
Quentin Warren and drummer
Donald Bailey swinging with soul as usual. The historical set (a bit of a turning point for
Jimmy Smith's career) has its strong moments although it is not all that essential. ~ Scott Yanow