This was the Big One. Since 1956, ‘The Incredible One’ had achieved all he possibly could during a busy eight-year tenure with Blue Note. But it was time to move on. Now on a new label (Verve) where budgets were much bigger, he could stretch out, try new ideas and not be confined to just blues, bebop retreads, gospel, standards and limited distribution. Recorded just two months apart, his Blue Note homage to Fats Waller has its obvious charm but it's Bashin’, which kicked off with the hit ‘Walk On The Wild Side’, a gatefold sleeve and, on four tracks, Oliver Nelson leading the punchy sound of eight brass, five saxes and three rhythm in support of Smith that delivered on all counts. It was an album that sold well due to its availability internationally. No need to seek out those expensive Blue Note imports, with Bashin’ and the many albums that would follow, your local record shop had the newest Smith album in stock at a regular price. As for the content, all Smith's trademark licks (the long sustained notes in particular) were still in evidence, but the big band gave him that extra clout and made this a must-have acquisition which made you look ultra-cool when tucked under your arm.