Johnny Hammond – Shifting Gears from the Milestone 45

It’s another start of the week, and I thought I’d share one of my favorite sides. It took me a while to finally dig it up in the field, but I was finally glad I did. Today’s post is going to be a bit on the short side, as I took a few days off to relax. Not to worry, I’ve got podcast #17 in the can, and it will be ready shortly. This tune is featured on it, as well as a bunch of other dusty gems, and a special Latin side I’ve been saving. Also, I’ve added all the mixes I’ve done so far to the tool bar on the right. There are 16 mixes for your downloading pleasure, all for free. Please enjoy! Let’s jump into “Shifting Gears” by Johnny Hammond on Milestone Records.

John Robert Smith was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1933. Taking up the piano as a child, he eventually switched to the organ after moving to Cleveland, OH and hearing Wild Bill Davis. The official switch was in 1958, where he would accompany vocalist (and newcomer) Nancy Wilson. By 1959, he was a band leader and signed to the Prestige label, where he would remain until 1970. During that time, he recorded many records, most notably Soul Talk, Black, Coffee, That Good Feeling, and Black Feeling! among others. In 1970, however, as he got funkier and funkier on the Hammond B-3 (where his nickname comes from), he switched to Creed Taylor’s CTI Records, where he released the classic Breakout, plus 4 other full lengths that are funky as hell. His version of “Rock Steady” (that was on my last mix) is a keeper as well. He then hooked up with the Mizell Brothers for a stretch, and during that time released Gears on Milestone, where this side can be found on. The man really earned his nickname because he was a master of the B-3. His straight ahead Jazz stuff from the 60’s is fantastic, but for me as he got funkier, he got better. He would continue to release music, but eventually retire from Jazz all together in the late 1970’s. He taught at Cal Poly Pomona College in the 80’s, and reignited his spark in the early 90’s for recording. He would go on to die of cancer in 1997.

What is there not to say about this record? It’s a classic, one of my favorites of all time. From the beginning bass line to the upbeat fadeout at the end, I can’t get enough of it. If you’re not familiar, this record was picked up by the Acid Jazz set and brought back to life. It’s a tune B-Boys from all over the world get down to. Even DJ Z-Trip named his record after this particular side (whether it’s 100% the reason, we’ll have to ask him…so Z, inquiring minds want to know). It’s a monster, and I dare anyone not to be able to keep the floor filled with this thing on your turntable. It’s infectious organ groove won’t be able to keep you in your seat. If JB had ants in his pants, the Johnny Hammond had fire, because this record (some 30+ years later) is still H-O-T. This side comes highly recommended by FMF, and although it’s not a rare side and easily accessible, it’s a fantastic record. Good music is good music, and this fits the bill. Keep Diggin’!