Jimmy Smith

Blue Thumb/Verve

First a punchy horn section, then the familiar rounded “zhhhhh” tones of a Hammond B-3, and then 30 seconds into “Only In It for the Money,” the tobacco-wracked voice of Dr. John kicks in and it’s “mmm, good cracker.” Jimmy Smith, of course, doesn’t just play the B-3; Jimmy Smith is the B-3. While around half of Dot Com Blues is along the lines of Smith’s landmark ’60s barbecue soul-jazz sides for Verve, the rest vibes like one of those all-star joints that aging hipster record executives put together so they can make a real cool record with a living legend and an A-list of fine sidemen and still avoid pissing off the corporate bean counters who just don’t understand good music, dig? Etta James, B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ and the good doctor stop by to add flavor on about half the cuts; as for the backing tracks, think funky Meters or the M.G.’s. The judgment? As Mr. Partytime puts it, “Thwaggerin’ thuccotash!” Mm-hmm.