Recommended New Release,
Blue Notes in Block Quotes: Highlights from the Tone Poet Series
One way for labels to capitalise on the seemingly unstoppable resurgence of the vinyl market in recent years has been to produce their own boutique line of products, offering glossy reissues of classic recordings at a heightened level of audiophile fidelity. The organisation which has seen this tactic bring them cavalcades of praise like never before is of course, Blue Note Records, whose Tone Poet series kicked off in 2019 in celebration of the iconic recording house’s 80th anniversary. Aside from their regular reissue series which has brought about many repressings of notable recordings from Art Blakey to Horace Silver, Tone Poet is bent on an altogether different sonic quest.
Exclusive to vinyl, producer Joe Harley continues to select lesser-known titles from the archive which he feels are ripe for reappraisal before polishing them up along with chief engineer Kevin Gray to a whole new standard through a process of all-analogue mastering. With their freshly laminated gatefolds complemented by authoritative liner notes as well as rare session photography from label co-founder Francis Wolff, this lavish new range of physical media offers listeners the chance to experience these quintessential masterpieces like never before. From the records themselves to the carefully-crafted packaging which houses them, come with us as we explore the current batch from this tasteful series as well as some former heavy-hitters.
Recorded in 1967 but remaining unreleased until three years down the line, jazz enthusiasts are delighted to see the return of this colourful album for its first vinyl reissue in over four decades. Having continually pushed the boundaries with each visionary session over the course of the sixties, the eternally-hip saxophonist McLean propels his knowledge picked up from previous outings for a cohesive post-bop response to the avant-garde leanings of the day.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
This edifying record from 1965 showcases the prodigious trumpeter's command of harmony through his integral use of instrumentation and the inclusion of as many as four horns! Featuring a five-track run of Hubbard originals, this bluesy album is full of lionhearted spirit.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
In addition to cherry-picking releases from the Blue Note vaults, Tone Poet has also highlighted a handful of heaters from the Pacific Jazz archives. Standing in stark contrast to the 'smooth' sound and image of the West Coast as he made his way from Kansas City to Los Angeles in 1960, Jones' fiery first release from the following year packs a serious punch.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Pearson's flair as a bandleader is best observed through the variety of musical styles he routinely conjured together; nowhere is that vibe more present than perhaps here, on this all-star recording from 1967. This spicy affair is held together by Duke's good-tempered vibes as the group delivers a series of harmoniously-crafted Latin cuts.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
This uncannilly tuneful session will fulfill anyone's appetite for that specific brand of boldly unconventional jazz for which the sixties has come to be known. Coming to fruition at the end of a busy period for the pianist, Dance With Death is bustling with furious creativity, its players never trying to suppress the hair-raising qualities their performances have to offer.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
And now, some of our past favourites…
The recording which gave this prestigious series its name, the third album from this guitar-infused band was the first new release to be considered amongst other Tone Poet reissues (it was Lloyd who originally endowed Harley with the title). Mastered directly from the original 24/96 digital files, a particularly spritely Lloyd is on top form alongside Bill Frisell, another reliable collaborator, for this unfettered yet sensitive gesture.
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
In one of the jazz world's most satisfying third acts, the revived success of the late self-styled doctor is truly heart-warming. Whilst never having fully disappeared from the limelight, his vivacious live return in 2016 to the label on which he made his name was, without a doubt, a full-circle moment for the B-3 aficianado — not to mention followers of his music.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Two more guitarists take to the stage now, and it really doesn't get much better than this! Sharing not only the writing credits but each side of the stereo mix as well, this unimpeded effort from these jazz-fusion wizards is notable for its friendly amount of ample grace between the two lead players. Back and forth, lads, back and forth!
Available Format: 2 Vinyl Records
Hey, who keeps inviting all these guitarists? Another scorcher from Pacific Jazz, this time featuring the virtuoisic axe-wielder as he pays tribute to the iconoclastic gypsy-jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt, in the most fitting way possible. Rather than simply imitate the Belgian master's unique style, Pass reels off a string of his own renditions of tunes associated with his hero, revealing the extent to which inspiration may be passed on through the spirit of kinly musicianship.
Available Format: Vinyl Record
Barney Whittaker
