Jazz

According to jazz lore, on the morning of January 19, 1957, esteemed alto saxophonist Art Pepper woke up to learn that he was booked for a session, just hours later, with Miles Davis’ highly respected rhythm section (pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones), where the landmark title, Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, was recorded. Produced by Contemporary Records’ Lester Koenig and recorded by engineer Roy DuNann, Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section has been praised as “a diamond of recorded jazz history” by AllMusic. Housed in a tip-on jacket, this special mono edition features all-analog mastering from the original mono tapes by Bernie Grundman and is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl at QRP. As part of the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series, this release celebrates 70 years of the venerable jazz record label.

A Tribute to Jack Johnson Combines Electric Fusion, Slashing Rock, and Aggressive Funk: 1971 Miles Davis Set Features Guitarist John McLaughlin, Sounds Vibrant on Vinyl LP

Michael Henderson launches into an enormous boogie groove with Billy Cobham and John McLaughlin. Miles immediately leaves the control room to join in with them. He achieved exactly what he wanted for the soundtrack of the documentary devoted to the black boxer Jack Johnson by creating the effect of a train going at full speed (which he compared to the force of a boxer). That's how side A of the 1971 LP A Tribute To Jack Johnson begins. By chance, Herbie Hancock had arrived unexpectedly and started playing on a cheap keyboard that a sound engineer quickly connected. Later, Teo Macero taped McLaughlin's riff on "Sing A Simple Song" by Sly Stone. Side B begins with a bass riff inspired by James Brown's "Say It Loud" and ends with "Willie Nelson," a piece recorded in a previous session. An a cappella improvisation by Miles, arranged in a variety of ways by Macero, was featured as a leitmotif throughout; a phrase spoken by Brock Peters was superimposed as a coda. Columbia didn't believe in this album and hastily released it. Today it is a cult record and strong seller.

Musicians:
Miles Davis (trumpet)
John McLaughlin (guitar)
Herbie Hancock (keyboards)
Michael Henderson (bass)
Billy Cobham (drums)
Steve Grossman (saxophone)

1. Right Off
2. Yesternow

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

Blue Note Records is pleased to present the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, a continuation of their acclaimed Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series which was launched in celebration of the label's 80th anniversary in 2019. The Classic Series will once again feature all-analog 180g vinyl pressings in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal in Germany. The first 16 titles of the Classic Series will focus on the enduring classics of the Blue Note catalog. The Classic Series will be on-going, running alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.

Even by the high-water marks set by Herbie Hancock's tremendous 1960s Blue Note output, 1965's Maiden Voyage remains one of the pinnacle artistic achievements of the great pianist's career. Hancock is joined here by his Miles Davis Quintet bandmates Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums, along with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and George Coleman on tenor saxophone. The quintet embarks on an oceanic exploration of five original Hancock compositions, several of which have since become enduring standards of the jazz lexicon including the title track, "Eye of the Hurricane," and "Dolphin Dance."

Musicians:
Herbie Hancock, piano
Ron Carter, bass
George Coleman, tenor saxophone
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Anthony Williams, drums

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All analog 180g vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany
• Standard packaging

1. Maiden Voyage
2. The Eye Of The Hurricane
3. Little One
4. Survival Of The Fittest
5. Dolphin Dance

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Guitarist Kenny Burrell debuted on Blue Note Records in 1956 and over the following 7 years made a series of excellent albums for the label that culminated with his masterwork Midnight Blue. Recorded in 1963, the album waded deep into the blues, conjuring an alluring late-night vibe with a profoundly soulful cast including tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, Jr., drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on congas. Burrell originals including "Chitlins con Carne," "Midnight Blue," "Saturday Night Blues," and the stunning solo guitar piece "Soul Lament" set the tone for this timeless classic adorned by one of the all-time great Reid Miles cover designs.

Musicians:
Kenny Burrell, guitar
Stanley Turrentine, tenor saxophone
Major Holley, Jr., bass
Bill English, drums
Ray Barretto, conga

Tracks

1. Chitlins Con Carne
2. Mule
3. Soul Lament
4. Midnight Blue
5. Wavy Gravy
6. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
7. Saturday Night Blues

Double vinyl LP pressing. This newly discovered live-recording of a performance of the Love Supreme suite is a revelation. Recorded at The Penthouse in Seattle on October 2, 1965, this recording transports the listener to a prime seat for piece of musical history. While not studio-quality audio, the power of the performance shines through. This version is also of the full suite and features an expanded band that includes the same Classic Quartet and Pharoah Sanders in his first official gig as part of Coltrane's group.

Tracks

• - Side 1 -
• 1 A Love Supreme, Pt. I - Acknowledgement
• - Side 2 -
• 1 Interlude 1
• 2 A Love Supreme, Pt. II - Resolution
• 3 Interlude 2
• - Side 3 -
• 1 A Love Supreme, Pt. III - Pursuance
• - Side 4 -
• 1 Interlude 3
• 2 Interlude 4
• 3 A Love Supreme, Pt. IV - Psalm

PROMISES by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the London Symphony Orchestra - Sam (Floating Points): Pharoah... Pharoah: Huh... ? Sam: Were you asleep? I'm sorry... Pharoah: No no... I was listening... and dreaming... and listening to music in my head... Sam: Oh wow... sorry. Pharoah: Many times, people think I might be asleep... but in fact, I am just listening to music in my head. I'm always listening... to the sounds around me... and playing, in my mind... and sometimes I dream. Sam: What were you dreaming about? Pharoah: I'm on a ship. In the ocean. Bears coming around smoking cigars. The bears are singing, 'We have the music. We have what you're looking for. * * * Pharoah: How you like that take, Sam? Sam: It's cool. I think the bit in the middle, where it stops again... I think you can hear... We were both kind of confused. I like it as well because it sounds like two musicians that are trying to guide each other. Pharoah: I think that's it right there. It came out different. It came out good though. Sam: You happy? Pharoah: Yeah, I'm cool with it. Sam: Okay. Yeah, I think your playing is beautiful.

• 1 Movement 1
• 2 Movement 2
• 3 Movement 3
• 4 Movement 4
• 5 Movement 5
• 6 Movement 6
• 7 Movement 7
• 8 Movement 8
• 9 Movement 9

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. On February 7, 1960, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey, laid down what would become his masterpiece: Soul Station. The crystalline six-song set was a showcase for Mobley's lyrical flow from the breezy opening take on Irving Berlin's "Remember" through bluesy originals like "Dig Dis", & the swinging up-tempo number "Split Feelin's." Soul Station endures as a jazz classic for the ages.

• 1 Remember
• 2 This I Dig of You
• 3 Dig Dis
• 4 Split Feelin's
• 5 Soul Station
• 6 If I Should Lose You

Longtime Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne keys and guitar player Adam Wakeman (as Milton Keanes) is back with Jazz Sabbath Vol. 2.

According to the liner notes, the UK jazz trio Jazz Sabbath were recording 2 albums in 1969 when disaster struck. Their debut album was cancelled, and their second album shelved; leaving room for a certain band from Birmingham becoming famous by playing metal versions of their jazz songs; claiming they were their own. Jazz Sabbath were powerless to do anything about it. Their 50-year-streak of misfortune ended in 2020 with the discovery of their debut album master tapes and the following re-release of the album. Now, reunited after 52 years, Jazz Sabbath entered the studio and finished recording their sophomore album. With the theft by the band from Birmingham exposed, Milton Keanes and colleagues can now present these songs in their original form, replenished with 52 years of experience, vigor... and rage. The tranquil 'Symptom Of The Universe', the full 8-minute version of 'Paranoid' (not that metal afterthought version everyone knows) and of course the song that other band so blatantly named themselves after.

• 1 Paranoid
• 2 Snowblind
• 3 Behind the Wall of Sleep
• 4 Sabbra Cadabra
• 5 Symptom of the Universe
• 6 N.I.B
• 7 Black Sabbath

One of the finest sets ever recorded by this quartet, back in print for the first time in 35 years. Remastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g limited edition opaque blue vinyl.

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) [LP]

Described by Mingus himself as “ethnic folk-dance music,” The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady is a single song cycle rather than a traditional jazz album of separate tracks. The intricate arrangements and raw emotional swings of the piece make it a highlight of Mingus’ career, and one of the most compelling listens in jazz.

• - Disc 1 -
• 1 Solo Dancer (Stop! and Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!)
• 2 Duet Solo Dancers (Heart's Beat and Shades in Physical Embraces)
• 3 Group Dancers ([Soul Fusion] Freewoman and Oh This Freedom's Slave Cries)
• - Disc 2 -
• 1 Trio and Group Dancers (Stop! Look! and Sing Songs of Revolutions!)
• 2 Single Solos and Group Dance (Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front)
• 3 Group and Solo Dance (Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, Then Farewell, My Beloved, 'Til It's Freedom Day)

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

Blue Note Records is pleased to present the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, a continuation of their acclaimed Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series which was launched in celebration of the label's 80th anniversary in 2019. The Classic Series will once again feature all-analog 180g vinyl pressings in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal in Germany. The first 16 titles of the Classic Series will focus on the enduring classics of the Blue Note catalog. The Classic Series will be on-going, running alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.

Time and troubles seem to melt away during the 15 enrapturing minutes of Idle Moments, the opening track of Grant Green's sublime 1963 album of the same name. As the piece unhurriedly unfurls all the unique colors of the ensemble present themselves with Green's soulful guitar joined by Duke Pearson's elegant piano, Bobby Hutcherson's crystalline vibraphone, Bob Cranshaw's reassuring upright bass, Al Harewood's subtle drums, and lastly Joe Henderson's magnificent tenor saxophone. The pace quickens for the rest of this set including the Green original "Jean de Fleur," a bluesy take on John Lewis' MJQ standard "Django," and Pearson's original "Nomad."

Musicians:
Grant Green, guitar
Duke Pearson, piano
Joe Henderson, tenor saxophone
Bobby Hutcherson, vibes
Bob Cranshaw, bass
Al Harewood, drums

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All analog 180g vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany
• Standard packaging

1. Idle Moments
2. Jean De Fleur
3. Django
4. Nomad

Jazz Sabbath (1968) were considered to be at the forefront of the new English jazz movement. Their self-titled debut album would be released on February 13, 1970, but on February 12th founding member and pianist Milton Keanes was hospitalized with a massive heart attack; leaving him fighting for his life. The record company shelved the album and cancelled the scheduled release out of financial uncertainty of releasing a debut album from a band without its musical leader.

When Milton was released from the hospital in September 1970, he found out that a band from Birmingham, conveniently called ‘Black Sabbath', had since released two albums containing so-called metal versions of his songs. His recalled albums had been destroyed in a warehouse fire in June 1970; leaving only a few bootleg tapes of Jazz Sabbath's live performances as proof of existence.

The master tapes, believed to be lost in the fire, were found in 2019. These songs will now finally be heard; proving that the heavy metal band worshipped by millions are in fact nothing more than musical charlatans, thieving the music from a bedridden, hospitalized genius.

1. Fairies Wear Boots
2. Evil Woman
3. Rat Salad
4. Iron Man
5. Hand Of Doom
6. Changes
7. Children Of The Grave

180-gram vinyl with bonus tracks! the one and only conjunct recording by three jazz geniuses!

• 1 Money Jungle
• 2 Fleurette Africaine
• 3 Very Special
• 4 Warm Valley
• 5 Switch Blade
• 6 Little Max (Parfait)
• 7 Wig Wise
• 8 Caravan
• 9 Solitude
• 10 REM Blues
• 11 Backward Country Boy Blues

Flutist Bobbi Humphrey debuted on Blue Note in 1971 and released 6 albums with them capped by Fancy Dancer in 1975, his 3rd collaboration with producer Larry Mizell. It proved to be a winning combination once again with Humphrey's alluring flute dancing through a set featuring standout Mizell compositions like "Uno Esta," and "You Make Me Feel So Good." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal.

• - Disc 1 -
• 1 Uno Esta
• 2 The Trip
• 3 You Make Me Feel So Good
• - Disc 2 -
• 1 Fancy Dancer
• 2 Mestizo Eyes
• 3 Sweeter Than Sugar
• 4 Please Set Me at Ease

Deluxe gatefold 180-gram vinyl release of the jazz pioneer's 1962 debut album. DOL.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Includes two bonus tracks. Collection of classic performances from John Coltrane as a sideman, featuring fellow jazz legends Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Tadd Dameron, and Art Taylor. This insightful new compilation features liner notes from award-winning music historian Doug Ramsey - recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tracks

LP1

1. Sonny Rollins Quartet - Tenor Madness
2. Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants - 'Round Midnight
3. The Miles Davis Quintet - Oleo
4. The Miles Davis Quintet - Airegin
5. Tadd Dameron With John Coltrane - Soultrane
6. Art Taylor - C.T.A.
7. Thelonious Monk - Monk's Mood

LP2

1. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Epistrophy (Alternate Take)
2. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Trinkle, Tinkle
3. Thelonious Monk With John Coltrane - Nutty
4. Red Garland Quintet (featuring John Coltrane And Donald Byrd) - Birks' Works
5. The Red Garland Quintet With John Coltrane - Billie's Bounce
6. Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

Blue Note Records has announced the continuation of the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series which presents 180g vinyl LP reissues in standard packaging mastered by Kevin Gray and manufactured at Optimal. The pressings are all-analog whenever an analog source is available, with Gray mastering directly from the original master tapes. While the first 16 titles of the series focused on the best-known Blue Note classics from the 1950s and 60s, the new run of titles curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman broadens its scope to span the many eras and styles of the legendary label's eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems.

At 27 years, Horace Silver's tenure as a Blue Note recording artist was the longest of any artist in the history of the label. The legendary pianist and composer cut his first Blue Note session Horace Silver Trio in 1952 and his session for Silver ‘N Strings Play The Music of the Spheres was the very last recording date before the label went dormant in 1979. In between, Silver recorded some of the most beloved albums in the Blue Note catalog, traversing bebop, hard bop, soul jazz, and charting his own path through the 1970s fusion movement.

With his 1956 album 6 Pieces of Silver, Silver struck gold with a sterling set of hard bop that introduced one of his greatest compositions, "Señor Blues." The indelible theme is one of five excellent Silver originals (plus the standard "For Heaven's Sake") performed by an ace quintet featuring Donald Byrd on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Doug Watkins on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. Other highlights include the hard swinging opener "Cool Eyes," the stunning ballad "Shirl," the intricate stop-start rhythm of "Camouflage," and the beguiling Latin beat of "Enchantment."

Musicians:
Horace Silver, piano
Donald Byrd, trumpet
Hank Mobley, tenor saxophone
Doug Watkins, bass
Louis Hayes, drums

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All analog 180g vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany
• Standard packaging

Tracks

1. Cool Eyes
2. Shirl
3. Camouflage
4. Enchantment
5. Senor Blues
6. Virgo
7. For Heaven's Sake

Vinyl LP pressing. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong devoted his life to "the cause of happiness," as he once put it, giving the gift of joy every time he put his trumpet to his lips. Since his passing, his music has become synonymous with the holiday season. Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule is the first Louis Armstrong Christmas record. This record includes a previously unheard recording of Louis reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas", with fellow New Orleans icon Sullivan Fortner providing a gorgeous musical underbed.

• 1 Cool Yule
• 2 Winter Wonderland
• 3 I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
• 4 'Zat You Santa Claus? [Single Version]
• 5 Christmas in New Orleans
• 6 White Christmas
• 7 Christmas Night in Harlem
• 8 Baby It's Cold Outside
• 9 Moments to Remember
• 10 What a Wonderful World
• 11 A Visit from St Nicholas ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)

There's scarcely a more towering figure in modern jazz than Bill Evans. His relaxed, emotional style would prove influential to generations of pianists who would follow him. On Trio '65, Evans is joined by bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Larry Bunker. It includes "If You Could See Me Now," Johnny Carisi's "Israel," and the heart-wrenching "Who Can I Turn To?" Verve Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered on 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Tracks

• - Disc 1 -
• 1 Israel
• 2 Elsa
• 3 Round Midnight
• 4 Our Love Is Here to Stay
• - Disc 2 -
• 1 How My Heart Sings
• 2 Who Can I Turn To?
• 3 Come Rain or Come Shine
• 4 If You Could See Me Now