AMG Review of Smooth One

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This attractive double-LP from 1979 includes two complete sessions by altoist Johnny Hodges that were previously unissued at the time. Most unusual is that Hodges contributed 15 of the 19 compositions; the others are "Melancholy Baby," "Lotus Blossom" and two by clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton. Despite the unfamiliar material, the music is very much in the Duke Ellington style, with an emphasis on blues, ballads and riff tunes. In addition to Hodges, the other main soloists are trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker, tenor Ben Webster (on the first date) and trumpeter/violinist Ray Nance (on the second). None of this enjoyable music has yet been reissued on CD.