· THE FRANCIS WOLFF COLLECTION
· DELUXE GATEFOLD SLEEVE
· 180-GRAM PURE VIRGIN VINYL LP IN GATEFOLD PACKAGING
· IMAGES BY ICONIC JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHER FRANCIS WOLF
· 4 DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
· INCLUDES 2 BONUS TRACKS
 
Although he began as a pianist, the great Jimmy Smith (1925-2005) switched to organ after hearing Wild Bill Davis in 1953. Smith’s unparalleled skills with the Hammond helped to popularize the electric organ as a jazz and blues instrument, and he recorded prolifically during his long career. Bashin’ was Smith’s debut for Verve, a label that he would record for extensively during 1963-1972. On part of the program he is joined by a big band arranged by Oliver Nelson, in what was their first collaboration Never on records. “Walk on the Wild Side” became Smith’s biggest hit up to that point. The rest of the album showcased Smith in a trio setting.
 
PERSONNEL:
JIMMY SMITH, organ on all tracks, plus:
SIDE A: WITH THE BIG BAND
Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen, Joe Wilder (tp),
Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Britt Woodman (tb), Tom Mitchell (b-tb),
Jerry Dodgion, Phil Woods (as), Bob Ashton, Arthur “Babe” Clarke (ts),
George Barrow (bar), Barry Galbraith (g), George Duvivier (b),
Ed Shaughnessy (d), Oliver Nelson (arr, cond).
SIDE B: WITH THE TRIO!
Quentin Warren (g), Donald Bailey (d).
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, March 26 (A3,A4 & B3) & March 28 (A1,A2,A5,B1,B2 & B4), 1962.
 
SIDE A:
1 WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
2 OL’ MAN RIVER
3 IN A MELLOW TONE
4 STEP RIGHT UP
5 OL’ MAN RIVER (*)
 
SIDE B:
1 BEGGAR FOR THE BLUES
2 BASHIN’
3 I’M AN OLD COW HAND (FROM THE RIO GRANDE)
4 BASHIN’ (*)
(*) Bonus tracks: Edited versions of songs from the LP released as singles.