Hal Smith’s Rhythmakers With Butch Thompson – A Jazz Gem That Still Grooves
If you’re into jazz with a laid-back vibe, Hal Smith’s Rhythmakers With Butch Thompson is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released in 1984 under the Jazzology label, this record feels like a warm cup of coffee on a rainy afternoon—easy to sip but full of flavor. It’s not trying too hard to impress anyone, and honestly, that’s what makes it so damn charming.
The band’s got some serious talent: Hal Smith laying down smooth rhythms on drums, Butch Thompson tickling the ivories like he owns them, and Chris Tyle blowing his cornet (and even busting out a kazoo at points). Becky Kilgore adds a touch of class with her guitar work, while Mike Duffy holds things together with steady basslines. Oh, and Richard Hadlock? Dude switches between soprano and alto sax like it ain’t no thing. You can tell everyone involved just loves playing together—it’s got that “hangin’ out in someone’s living room” kind of energy.
Now, let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me. First off, there’s “Forevermore.” Man, this tune just floats. Butch Thompson’s piano intro feels like walking into your favorite old-school diner where everything smells amazing and nobody rushes you out the door. Then Chris Tyle comes in with his cornet solo—it’s sweet without being sappy, kinda like reminiscing about an old flame you still think about every now and then. The whole thing has this timeless quality, like it could’ve been recorded yesterday or fifty years ago. Either way, it hits different.
Then there’s “Down In Honky Tonk Town,” which flips the mood entirely. This track kicks up dust, y’all. It’s playful, bouncy, and straight-up fun. I imagine people two-stepping in cowboy boots when this comes on. Becky Kilgore’s guitar riffs here are sharp as hell, and Hal Smith’s drumming gives it this driving beat that pulls you right onto the dance floor. There’s something infectious about how loose yet tight the band sounds—they’re clearly having a blast, and it rubs off on you.
One thing I gotta say is, this album doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. And honestly? That’s totally okay. Sometimes music doesn’t need to change your life; sometimes it just needs to make you smile or tap your foot. Tracks like “Good Old New York” and “Why Couldn’t It Be Poor Little Me?” keep things breezy, reminding you why easy-listening jazz will always have its place.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album felt like hanging out with old friends—even though these musicians probably never heard of me. Maybe that’s the magic of jazz. Or maybe it’s just proof that good music sticks around because it speaks to something simple and real inside us all.
Anyway, if you ever stumble across Hal Smith’s Rhythmakers With Butch Thompson, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming “Forevermore” for days. Oh, and hey—if anyone asks, I didn’t write this review wearing socks. Barefoot reviews hit different, trust me.
