Louis Smith Quintet: There Goes My Heart

Classic bop of the 1940s, especially that played by Kenny Dorham and Jackie McLean, appears to provide most of the inspiration for trumpeter Smith and first-time mate, altoman Bruce Williams. Also new to Smith, but not to each other, is the rhythm team of George Cables, Jay Anderson and Al Harewood, who collectively raise a ruckus on such early hits as “Ray’s Idea,” “Prince Albert” and “Blue Bossa” through Smith’s “SOB” and “Abe’s Axe.” Also given authentic period treatment are “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” “Poor Butterfly” and the title tune.

By the way, the notes do not reveal that the title of Dorham’s “Prince Albert” was not intended as a tribute to Queen Victoria’s consort, but was instead a hip, inner circle reference to the then conventional way of packaging an ounce of grass in a Prince Albert pipe tobacco tin.

Originally Published November 1, 1997