March 21, 2024
Blue Note Records has announced the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which presents affordable 180g all-analog vinyl reissues in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, the series continues its exploration of the extensive Blue Note catalog with titles that span the many eras and styles of the legendary label’s 85-year history. The newly announced titles begin on May 17 with two early 1960s hard bop classics—Workout by Hank Mobley and Blue Hour by Stanley Turrentine with The Three Sounds—both of which are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store.
Other highlights of the new Classic Vinyl Series line-up include crown jewels of the catalog such as Thad Jones The Magnificent Thad Jones (1956), Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers A Night In Tunisia (1960), and Wayne Shorter JuJu (1964) as well as lesser-known gems like Duke Pearson Wahoo (1964), Clifford Jordan Cliff Craft (1957), and Jutta Hipp At The Hickory House, Vol. 1 (1956). Hip-hop fans will recognize “Spinning Wheel” from Lonnie Smith Drives (1970) and “Maybe Tomorrow” from Grant Green Visions (1971) as the source of samples featured on tracks by A Tribe Called Quest and Kendrick Lamar. The series will also present first-time vinyl releases of modern classics by two of the most distinctive pianists of our time: Aaron Parks Invisible Cinema (2008) and Jason Moran Ten (2010).
Classic Vinyl Reissue Series – Release Schedule:
May 17, 2024
June 21, 2024
- Aaron Parks – Invisible Cinema (2008)*
- Jason Moran – Ten (2010)*
July 19, 2024
- Thad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones (1956)
- Clifford Jordan – Cliff Craft (1957)
August 16, 2024
- Wayne Shorter – JuJu (1964)
- Lee Morgan – The Gigolo (1965)
September 20, 2024
- Jutta Hipp – At The Hickory House, Vol. 1 (1956)
- Gene Harris and The Three Sounds – Live at the ‘It Club’ (1970)
October 18, 2024
- Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – A Night In Tunisia (1960)
- Donald Byrd – Royal Flush (1961)
November 15, 2024
- Dexter Gordon – Gettin’ Around (1965)
- Duke Pearson – Wahoo (1964)
December 13, 2024
- Lonnie Smith – Drives (1970)
- Grant Green – Visions (1971)
*mastered from a digital source
The Classic Series runs alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.
