Backgrounder: Jimmy Forrest's 'Forrest Fire'

In the years leading up to World War II, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest got his start in bands led by Jay McShann and Andy Kirk. After the war, he was with Duke Ellington and then was on his own. His big claim to fame was co-writing and first recording Night Train, which became a jazz and R&B standard. He also toured with Count Basie. Among my favorite albums by Forrest are those on the New Jazz and Prestige record labels. He always had a big bossy, blues sound with a smooth bite and serious groove.

Recorded for Prestige's New Jazz label in August 1960, Forrest Fire featured Forrest (ts), Larry Young (org), Thornell Schwartz (g), Jimmie Smith (d) and an unknown percussionist who sounds a lot like Ray Barretto. The tracks were Remember, Dexter's Deck, Forrest's Jim's Jam, Bags' Groove, When Your Lover Has Gone and Doug Watkins' Help!

Of particular note is organist Larry Young, playing on his second studio date here, squeezed between two leadership sessions for New Jazz with his working trio—Testifying and Young Blues.

Here's the complete Forrest Fire without ad interruptions...