Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Gate-fold cover looks good; moderate scuffing and discoloration with darker discoloration spots (front/back/inner-gate); inner-gate has slight musty smell. Some surface abrasion and impressions on front and back. Inner-sleeve is original (Verve ads). Spine is mostly readable with mild wear. Shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge with splits halfway along both top and bottom. Corners show wear. Opening is crisp with signs of use. 1966 Mono Pressing. (Not a cut-out.)
Of all of organist Jimmy Smith's big-band albums recorded for Verve, this is one of the most imaginative ones. Oliver Nelson arranged a variety of themes from Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf into a swinging suite featuring the great organist Jimmy Smith. Although there is no verbal narrative on this LP, Nelson's liner notes tell the story (which can actually be followed through the music) and Smith pays respect to the original melodies while making strong statements of his own. A classic of its kind.