After discovering 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 two sessions that produced the four tracks on House Party strove for the best of both worlds by bringing the freewheeling 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 album features a who’s who cast of musicians including trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, 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 ensemble stretches out on extended versions of “Au Privave” and “Just Friends” while Donaldson gets the spotlight on a showstopping ballad performance of “Lover Man.”

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

A1: Au Private
A2: Lover Man
B1: Just Friends
B2: Blues After All