Saxophonist Art Pepper was considered one of the best altos of his time, just behind Charlie Parker. This 1960 recording, whose album’s title presages the addiction that would soon offline the self-taught musician’s career, features compositions written by fellow saxophonists (including Ornette Coleman’s “Tears Inside” and Buddy Collette’s “A Bit of Basie”). Finding Pepper at his finest, most limber form, his own composition “Las Cuevas de Mario” is a particular standout in 5/4 time and would pop up on his set lists in subsequent years.

Acoustic Sounds and Contemporary Records present this new reissue of Art Pepper’s 1960 album “Smack Up”. Recorded by legendary engineer Roy DuNann the album also features Jack Sheldon (trumpet), Pete Jolly (piano), Jimmy Bond (bass), and Frank Butler (drums). This new edition is on 180-gram vinyl pressed at QRP with (AAA) lacquers cut from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman and is presented in a tip-on jacket.