Midnight Special captures the soulful swing of Jimmy Smith at the height of his powers on the Hammond B-3 organ. Recorded in 1960 with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Donald Bailey, the album is a quintessential meeting of blues, gospel, and modern jazz. The title track, a simmering groove inspired by traditional folk rhythms, sets the tone for a record that balances raw drive with lyrical sophistication.

Smith, who virtually reinvented the jazz organ during the 1950s and ’60s, uses Midnight Special to showcase his ability to turn the instrument into a full orchestra—laying down basslines, comping chords, and spinning solos that bridge bebop complexity with streetwise soul. Turrentine’s warm tenor and Burrell’s elegant guitar lines add both grit and grace, making the session a seamless ensemble effort.

Celebrated for its accessibility and depth, the album stands as one of the defining entries in the Blue Note catalog. Critics have praised it as both a landmark in Smith’s prolific discography and a gateway album for listeners new to jazz organ.