November 24, 2025
Announcing the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which presents all-analog 180g vinyl reissues that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. Curated by 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 history. The newly announced titles begin on January 23 with two hard-swinging 1960s classics—Free For All by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Our Thing by Joe Henderson—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 two 1990s standouts that get their first-ever vinyl reissues—John Scofield Meant To Be (cut directly from the analog master tapes) and Medeski Martin & Wood Tonic—as well as bebop classics from the 1500 series by Thelonious Monk (Genius Of Modern Music) and J.J. Johnson (The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson); organ-guitar-drums trio albums by Jimmy Smith (Softly As A Summer Breeze) and Grant Green (Street Of Dreams); contrasting 1969 albums by Eddie Gale (Black Rhythm Happening) and The Three Sounds (Soul Symphony); and hard bop classics from Blue Note legends including Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Lou Donaldson, and more.
Classic Vinyl Reissue Series – 2026 Release Schedule:
January 23, 2026
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Free For All (1964)
Joe Henderson – Our Thing (1963)
February 20, 2026
Thelonious Monk – Genius Of Modern Music, Vol. 2 BLP 1511 (1947-52)
J.J. Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 2 BLP 1506 (1953-55)
March 20, 2026
John Scofield – Meant To Be (1990)
Medeski Martin & Wood – Tonic (1999)*
April 17, 2026
Blue Mitchell – The Thing To Do (1964)
Stanley Turrentine – Easy Walker (1966)
May 15, 2026
Donald Byrd – The Cat Walk (1961)
Kenny Dorham – Whistle Stop (1961)
June 19, 2026
Hank Mobley – Hank Mobley BLP 1568 (1957)
Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume 1 (1958)
July 17, 2026
Lee Morgan – Leeway (1960)
Freddie Hubbard – Goin’ Up (1960)
August 21, 2026
Jimmy Smith – Softly As A Summer Breeze (1958)
Grant Green – Street Of Dreams (1964)
September 18, 2026
Eddie Gale – Black Rhythm Happening (1969)
The Three Sounds – Soul Symphony (1969)
October 16, 2026
Jackie McLean – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ (1959)
Lou Donaldson – Sunny Side Up (1960)
November 20, 2026
Big John Patton – That Certain Feeling (1968)
Reuben Wilson – On Broadway (1968)
December 11, 2026
Horace Silver – The Stylings Of Silver (1957)
Sonny Clark – Leapin’ And Lopin’ (1961)
*mastered from a digital source
The Classic Series runs alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.
