Standards is a 12-track collection that is culled from the sessions that resulted in the
House Party and
Home Cookin' albums, both of which featured
Jimmy Smith in a trio with guitarist
Kenny Burrell and drummer
Donald Bailey. All of the songs are familiar standards along the lines of "Bye Bye Blackbird," "I'm Just a Lucky So and So," "September Song," "Mood Indigo" and "It Might As Well Be Spring," and seven of the tracks are previously unreleased. Throughout the album, the trio is relaxed and laidback, resulting in a warm, inviting collection of standards. It's among
Smith's mellowest recordings, and it's all the better for it. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine