Good news for jazz fans – September sees the reissue of a slew of vintage titles from Blue Note, the legendary jazz label set up by German-Jewish émigrés, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, in 1939.
On September 15th, ten titles are reissued in the company’s ongoing RVG remaster series. These include ‘Leapin’ And Lopin” by SONNY CLARK, ‘Lou Takes Off’ by LOU DONALDSON, ‘The Opener’ by CURTIS FULLER, ‘Evolution’ by GRACHAN MONCUR III, ‘J.R Montrose’ by J.R.MONTROSE, ‘Dimensions & Extensions’ by SAM RIVERS, ‘Plays Fats Waller’ by JIMMY SMITH and ‘Dearly Beloved’ by STANLEY TURRENTINE. Arguably the pick of the bunch are two superb titles by saxophonist HANK MOBLEY – 1956’s ‘Hank Mobley Quintet’ (only previously available in Japan and as part of an expensive limited edition Mosaic box set) and 1958’s ‘Peckin’ Time.’
Available from September 22nd are six titles in Blue Note’s ‘Rare Groove’ series. These are:
‘Heritage’ by EDDIE HENDERSON, ‘Fancy Dancer’ by female flautist BOBBI HUMPRHEY, ‘Howling For Judy’ by JEREMY STEIG, ‘Set Us Free,’ a sterling soul-jazz set from Hammond hero, REUBEN WILSON, and ‘Soul Symphony’ by THE THREE SOUNDS. The group also appears on leader GENE HARRIS’S opus ‘Elegant Soul.’ All CDs are mid-price.
On the new release front, Blue Note also has noteworthy new releases from Windy City chanteuse PATRICIA BARBER, whose follow up to 2006’s ‘Mythologies’ is ‘The Cole Porter Mix,’ which offers radical reinterpretations of classic songs from the pen of the legendary tunesmith, Cole Porter. Also look out for ‘Symphonica,’ a grandiose new album by saxophone colossus JOE LOVANO, who teams up with the WDR Orchestra for a majestic seven-track large ensemble offering featuring six original Lovano compositions. Both albums are available from September 15th.
