Lonnie Smith Vinyl Records Lps For Sale

Check out these new and used Lonnie Smith vinyl records LPs for sale. We recommend starting your Lonnie Smith vinyl collection with the essential albums Live At The Mozambique, Move Your Hand and Afro Desia. Our inventory is always changing, so check back often, or browse our list of vinyl records for sale from jazz musicians.

Lonnie Smith Vinyl Records Lps For Sale

Dr. Lonnie Smith: The Hammond B3 Master

The rise of a soul-jazz legend

Dr. Lonnie Smith was one of the most distinctive voices on the Hammond B3 organ. With his iconic turban, infectious grooves, and deep connection to blues and funk, he turned the organ into a lead instrument capable of everything from subtle jazz phrasing to explosive psychedelic jams. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1942, Lonnie Smith began his musical career in the late 1950s and quickly established himself as a go-to organist in the soul-jazz scene.

What made Smith stand out was his ability to blend gospel, R&B, and jazz in a way that felt natural, groovy, and forward-thinking. While he played with some of the biggest names in jazz, his unique style made him a star in his own right—an innovator who never stopped evolving.

How his music sounds on vinyl

Lonnie Smith’s music was made for vinyl. His warm, analog tones—especially the full, round hum of the Hammond B3—come alive through a quality LP. Streaming can’t capture the subtle clicks of the Leslie speaker or the gritty overdrive of his foot-pumped bass lines. On vinyl, you can hear the full spectrum of his sound: from the low-end rumble to the shimmering highs of his upper register solos.

On this page, you’ll find a curated selection of Lonnie Smith’s best albums on vinyl. These aren’t just records—they’re time machines into the funky heart of 1960s and ‘70s jazz, and later, into his bold return to Blue Note Records in the 21st century. If you’re building a soul-jazz collection, these LPs are essential spins.

Notable albums to own on vinyl

“Finger Lickin’ Good” (1967)
One of his earliest solo records, this album is packed with grooves and bluesy swagger. With a small combo behind him, Smith flexes his rhythmic skills and melodic sensibility, showing why he quickly became a leader in the soul-jazz scene.

“Think!” (1968)
Arguably one of his most well-known albums, Think! is a perfect example of his funky, soulful energy. Featuring a cover of Aretha Franklin’s hit as the title track, the album fuses jazz improvisation with danceable rhythms, making it one of his most sought-after vinyl releases.

“Turning Point” (1969)
Released on Blue Note, this record finds Smith in an exploratory mode with a quintet that includes Lee Morgan on trumpet. It’s a little more straight-ahead than his funkier sessions, but still driven by his unmistakable groove.

“Drives” (1970)
This LP captures Smith at his funkiest. With tight rhythm sections and plenty of upbeat energy, Drives became a crate-digger favorite and has been sampled many times in hip-hop. On vinyl, the rich tones and analog fuzz make every track feel alive.

“All in My Mind” (2018)
One of his later releases, this live album proves that Smith never lost his magic. He’s older, wiser, and just as funky. Recorded live at the Jazz Standard, it’s a celebration of his long career and sounds incredible on vinyl due to the warmth and ambiance of the analog recording.

Musical influences

Dr. Lonnie Smith didn’t study music in the traditional way—he learned by listening, playing, and absorbing everything around him. He was deeply influenced by gospel music and rhythm & blues, which gave him a soulful foundation. Jimmy Smith, the father of modern jazz organ, was clearly an early influence, but Lonnie took the sound in a looser, more experimental direction.

He also loved vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, whose expressive phrasing shaped the way he approached melody on the organ. Blues guitarists and rock artists like Jimi Hendrix inspired his later forays into more psychedelic, feedback-laced explorations.

Collaborations and evolution

Lonnie Smith came to national attention as a sideman with guitarist George Benson in the mid-1960s. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their recordings together helped set the stage for Smith’s own solo career. He went on to sign with Blue Note and became one of the label’s most adventurous organists.

Over the years, Smith worked with Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, and even contemporary jazz artists like Robert Glasper and Iggy Pop. His music constantly evolved, incorporating funk, rock, Latin rhythms, and later, even hip-hop sensibilities without ever losing his identity.

His return to Blue Note in the 2010s reignited his career and introduced him to a new generation. Albums like Evolution and Breathe proved that Smith could still surprise listeners with daring compositions and raw performances.

Lonnie Smith - Move My Hand Vinyl LP

$125.00  

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Lonnie Smith - Drives LP - Blue Note VG+ Autograph

$46.00  (7 bids)
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Lonnie Smith - Think LP - Blue Note - BST 84290 VG+

$23.77  
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Lonnie Smith - Afro-Desia LP - Groove Merchant

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Lonnie Smith - AFRO-DESIA [New Vinyl LP]

$34.60  

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Who he influenced

Lonnie Smith’s style helped shape the sound of soul-jazz and beyond. His rhythmic playing and rich harmonic palette laid the foundation for organists like Joey DeFrancesco, who often cited Smith as a major influence. Even outside the jazz world, Smith’s grooves were irresistible.

Hip-hop producers have sampled his work frequently, appreciating his deep pocket and analog textures. Artists like Madlib, DJ Premier, and The Roots drew from his catalog. The psychedelic funk edge of his 1970s work also influenced jam bands and funk revivalists, including Medeski Martin & Wood and Soulive.

His ability to blend improvisation with groove made him a role model for any musician trying to walk that line between jazz sophistication and danceable energy.

The vinyl experience: why it matters

Listening to Lonnie Smith on vinyl is more than nostalgia—it’s about fidelity, texture, and presence. The Hammond B3 has a physicality that gets lost in digital compression. On LP, you can feel the air move when the bass pedals thump, and you can hear every crackle of the Leslie cabinet as it rotates and shimmers.

Albums like Think! and Drives were recorded with analog gear, engineered for the turntable, not a smartphone speaker. When you play them on vinyl, you’re getting closer to how the music was meant to be experienced: full-bodied, rich, and immersive.

Whether you’re a lifelong jazz head or just discovering the magic of Hammond organ, these vinyl releases belong in your collection.

Add Lonnie Smith to your collection

We’ve made it easy to explore Lonnie Smith’s legacy by offering some of his best albums on vinyl right here on this page. From his earliest Blue Note recordings to his late-career triumphs, each LP captures a different side of his genius.

If you love groove, improvisation, and music that blurs the line between church, club, and concert hall, you’ll want these records spinning on your turntable. Let the doctor take you on a soulful, funky ride—one vinyl groove at a time.

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