After he discovered Jimmy Smith in 1956, Blue Note founder Alfred Lion recorded the Hammond B3 organ master frequently in various settings including studio and live dates. The sessions that produced the two albums House Party and The Sermon! strove for the best of both worlds by bringing the unbridled energy of a live blowing session into Manhattan Tower Studio where engineer Rudy Van Gelder could capture the proceedings with sterling sound quality. Recorded on August 25, 1957 and February 25, 1958, The Sermon! comprises three extended workouts enlivened by a stellar cast of musicians including trumpeter Lee Morgan, alto saxophonists Lou Donaldson and George Coleman, tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks, guitarists Kenny Burrell and Eddie McFadden, and drummers Art Blakey and Donald Bailey. The opening title track is a down-home blues that finds a deep pocket and fills the entirety of Side 1, while the flipside kicks into high gear with the brisk minor-key original "J.O.S." before slowing down for a stunning ballad performance of "Flamingo" showcasing Morgan.
The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was' admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the "Tone Poet," on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.
Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology, Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.
This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket.
