Johnny "Hammond" Smith – The Stinger (Prestige PR 7408)
updated 11/06/2026
Prestige records 1965 – PR 7408
Album Description
Released in 1965 on Prestige Records, The Stinger showcases
the distinctive Hammond organ playing of jazz musician
Johnny “Hammond” Smith. Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, this six-track album blends soul jazz,
blues, swinging rhythms and earthy organ grooves.
Smith leads a compact quintet featuring tenor saxophonists Houston Person
and Earl Edwards, guitarist Floyd Smith, and drummer John Harris.
The two saxophonists appear on different tracks, adding
contrasting textures to the album’s sound.
From the energetic title track and the funky drive of “Benny’s Diggin’” to
the blues-inflected atmosphere of “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” the record
captures the warm, groove-oriented sound of mid-1960s Prestige jazz.
It is an appealing LP for collectors of Hammond organ jazz, rare groove,
bluesy jazz and vintage soul jazz.
Line-up and Musicians
Johnny “Hammond” Smith – Hammond organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 4 and 6
Earl Edwards – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5
Floyd Smith – guitar
John Harris – drums
Production and Recording
The Stinger was recorded on May 7, 1965, at Van Gelder Studio
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The session was produced by
Cal Lampley and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, whose recordings
became a defining part of the Prestige jazz catalog.
Trackslist:
A1 The Stinger
Written-By – Smith*
6:40
A2 There Is No Greater Love
Written-By – Jones*, Symes*
5:30
A3 Brother John
Written-By – Smith*
3:55
B1 Cleopatra And The African Knight
Written-By – Smith*
4:55
B2 You Don't Know What Love Is
Written-By – Raye*, DePaul*
6:50
B3 Benny's Diggin'
Written-By – Smith*
4:15

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