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Dr. Lonnie Smith: Too Damn Hot!

By Joel Roberts
December 5, 2004
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I'm not sure where his doctorate or trademark turban come from, but there's no doubting Dr. Lonnie Smith's credentials when it comes to scorching soul jazz organ. From his landmark '60s turns with George Benson and Lou Donaldson (with whom he still appears regularly) to last year's surprising album of Beck tunes, Smith has proven himself a master at the Hammond organ and an artist always worth watching.

On his current release, the aptly titled Too Damn Hot! , Smith spices up the standard organ trio with two fiery guitarists (Peter Bernstein and Rodney Jones) in addition to organ and drums (either Greg Hutchinson or Fukushi Tainaka). Bernstein's intricate lead guitar and, especially, Jones' funky rhythm add an extra flavor to the set of mostly original Smith tunes.

Together, the quartet traces the many varieties of soul jazz from the Crescent City groove of the opening "Norleans" to the sultry blues of the title tune and the down-home funk of "Your Mama's Got a Complex." While this is a mostly heated affair, Smith cools things down on two ballads: a mild reading of Horace Silver's "Silver Serenade" and a breezy take on "Someday My Prince Will Come." This is a fun, funky album that solidifies Smith's status as one of the true heroes of the Hammond.

Track Listing

Norleans; Too Damn Hot; Black Track; The Whip; Silver Serenade; Track 9; One Cylinder; SOmeday My Prince Will Come; Your Mama's Got a Complex; Evil Turn

Personnel

Dr. Lonnie Smith

organ, Hammond B3

Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ), Peter Bernstein (guitar), Rodney Brown (rhythm guitar), Greg Hutchinson (drums on "Norleans," "Back Track," "Track 9," "Love Cylinder," "Your Mama's Got a Complex"), Fukushi Tainaka (drums on all other tracks)

Album information

Title: Too Damn Hot! | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

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