{"product_id":"lonnie-smith-drives-blue-note-classic-vinyl-series","title":"Lonnie Smith - Drives [Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series]","description":"\u003cp\u003eDr. Lonnie Smith's \u003cem\u003eDrives\u003c\/em\u003e captures the Hammond B3 master in a spirited early session that helped establish his distinctive place within late-1960s soul jazz. Originally recorded in 1970 for Blue Note, the album features Smith alongside guitarist Ronnie Cuber, trumpeter Dave Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Ronnie Cuber, and drummer Idris Muhammad. The session reflects the groove-forward direction Blue Note was exploring at the time, blending jazz improvisation with funk rhythms and blues phrasing. In the decades since its release, the album has become a favorite among listeners drawn to Smith's deep-pocket organ playing and the band's relaxed but focused chemistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross \u003cem\u003eDrives\u003c\/em\u003e, Smith leans into rhythmic momentum and warm tonal color, letting the Hammond organ carry both melody and groove. Tracks such as \"Spinning Wheel,\" \"Seven Steps To Heaven,\" and the title track \"Drives\" showcase his ability to balance soulful phrasing with agile improvisation. The band responds with tight interplay and a laid-back swagger that keeps the music moving without crowding the organ's voice. Guitar lines weave around Smith's chords while the rhythm section locks into a steady pocket, giving the album a sense of motion that reflects its title.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series edition presents \u003cem\u003eDrives\u003c\/em\u003e on all-analog vinyl mastered from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray. The pressing follows the series' established approach of preserving the sound and presentation of the Blue Note catalog while offering a modern, high-quality pressing. Housed in a gatefold jacket that reflects the original album artwork, the release highlights the warm organ tone, punchy rhythm section, and spacious studio sound that define the session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Vinyl LP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandout tracks:\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Spinning Wheel,\" \"Seven Steps To Heaven,\" \"Drives\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePressing details:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series, all-analog mastering by Kevin Gray from original master tapes, gatefold jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre\/style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk, Organ Jazz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 602465148602\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its deep groove, expressive organ work, and tight ensemble playing, \u003cem\u003eDrives\u003c\/em\u003e stands as one of Dr. Lonnie Smith's most engaging Blue Note recordings and a strong example of the label's transition into the groove-heavy jazz sound of the early 1970s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" height=\"352\" width=\"100%\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/2teLy7sTvctRCe2CXCcYyn?utm_source=generator\" style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" data-testid=\"embed-iframe\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTrack List:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSide A:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTwenty-Five Miles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpinning Wheel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeven Steps To Heaven\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSide B:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePsychedelic Pi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWho's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Lonnie Smith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51497822781761,"sku":"0602465148602","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0877\/7662\/4961\/files\/lonnie-smith-drives-blue-note-classic-vinyl-album-cover-8602_c70e1f88-87a3-4fb8-8591-f5d1f16deed1.jpg?v=1773684720","url":"https:\/\/www.toucanrecords.com\/products\/lonnie-smith-drives-blue-note-classic-vinyl-series","provider":"Toucan Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}