Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Barbara Morrison (vocals); Curtis Peagler (alto & tenor saxophones); Herman Riley, Rickey Woodard (tenor saxophone); Phil Upchurch, Terry Evans (guitar); Andy Simpkins (bass); Michael Baker, Frank Wilson (drums).

Recorded at Group IV Recording, Hollywood, California on August 15 & 16, 1989. Includes liner notes by Kirk Silsbee.

This high-energy release captures Smith in 1989 reuniting with some of his favorite session players in Los Angeles, where the artist lived for 20 years. PRIME TIME runs on fat horn embellishments, tight, soulful rhythmic support and of course, Smith's trademark Hammond ooze and spectacular improvisatory technique. Things kick off in a decidedly less subdued manner than many Smith releases, from the uptempo intensity of the opener "Here Come C.T." through a treatment of Ellington's "C Jam Blues," but falls into a familiar laid-back groove with "Simple Soul Song" and "Matter Of Fact."

There are three different sax players on this disc, each lending their individual sound, and two guitarists, each carving out their own niche. Vocalist Barbara Morrison wails on "Farther On Up The Road," and the rhythm section kicks it out or cools it down as the tunes demand. With such variety and color to round out his jams, Smith sounds prime on PRIME TIME, defending the title of "world's greatest jazz organist" with ease.

Down Beat - 3 Stars - Good