Smith, Lonnie: Think! (Blue Note 80) LP

In honor of Blue Note Records' 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label's history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in July 2019 with Part 1 of the Blue Grooves theme - Lonnie Smith Think! (1968), Reuben Wilson Blue Mode (1969) and Bobbi Humphrey Blacks And Blues (1973) - and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year.

Groove is certainly the thing on this 1968 Blue Note debut from organist Dr. Lonnie Smith with stellar in the pocket support from Lee Morgan (trumpet), David Newman (tenor saxophone & flute), Melvin Sparks (guitar) and Marian Booker Jr. (drums) plus percussionists Henry "Pucho" Brown, William Bivens, and Norberto Apellaniz. From the hard-driving opener "Song of Ice Bag" written by Hugh Masekela to Doc's laid-back original "Slouchin'" to the band's joyful romp through Aretha Franklin's hit "Think," it's an equally hip and hypnotic affair and Smith's finest for the label.