Backgrounder: Johnny Hammond - Breakout

As Johnny “Hammond" Smith became increasingly popular, he added his middle nickname to avoid being confused with guitarist Johnny Smith and organ great Jimmy Smith. He began recording as leader in 1959 and was a sideman throughout the 1960s. In 1971, Creed Taylor signed him to Kudu Records, his soul-flavored subsidiary of CTI. Smith's album Breakout (1971) was the first album released on the new label.

The LP is notable for its terrific mix of tracks and the stellar musicians who appeared on the album:

• Johnny “Hammond" Smith: organ, arranger
• Danny Moore: trumpet
• Grover Washington, Jr.: tenor saxophone, arranger
• Hank Crawford: alto saxophone
• Eric Gale: guitar
• Johnny Williams: electric bass
• Billy Cobham: drums
• Airto Moreira: percussion
• Leo Johnson: arranger (track 4)

The tracks:

• It's Too Late (Carole King, Toni Stern)
• Workin' on a Groovy Thing (Roger Atkins, Neil Sedaka)
• Never Can Say Goodbye (Clifton Davis)
• Blues Selah (Leo Johnson)
• Breakout (Johnny “Hammond" Smith)

Here's Breakout without ad interruptions...