📣 News 2023-2024 Blue Note Records' Classic Vinyl Series release schedule

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I neglected to post this back in the summer, but Blue Note has an updated list of the upcoming Classic Vinyl series reissues. I already own Blowin' The Blues Away but, unfortunately, discovered that it is a digitally-sourced title and sounds a bit "off" compared to the others. But, I'll hang onto it as it's not as much of a favorite of mine that other titles of Silver's area. It's nice to see such a well-rounded list of releases this time out.

The Classic Vinyl series, just like the Tone Poet series, is remastered by Kevin Gray of Cohearant from the original analog master tapes. The Classic Vinyl releases are in standard non-gatefold LP jackets (whereas the Tone Poet series are primarily gatefolds, using the premium Stoughton tip-on jackets which are thick and feel substantial).

Due to the original date of the list, many of the titles have already been released.

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JULY 31, 2023

Blue Note Records has announced the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which will present 180g all-analog vinyl reissues of some of the most iconic masterpieces of the Blue Note catalog by jazz legends including Art Blakey, Donald Byrd, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, and more. Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, Classic Vinyl reissues are mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original analog master tapes and pressed at Optimal. Newly announced titles will begin September 15 with the release of Horace Silver Blowin’ The Blues Away and Jimmy Smith Midnight Special, both of which are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store.

Classic Vinyl Reissue Series – Release Schedule:

September 15, 2023

• Horace Silver – Blowin’ The Blues Away (1959)
• Jimmy Smith – Midnight Special (1960)

October 20, 2023

• Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Mosaic (1961)
• Hank Mobley – No Room for Squares (1963)

November 17, 2023

• Tina Brooks – True Blue (1960)
• Wayne Shorter – Night Dreamer (1964)

December 15, 2023

• Sonny Rollins – Newk’s Time (1957)
• Grant Green – Green Street (1961)

January 19, 2024

• Bud Powell – Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1 (1949-51)
• Clifford Brown – Memorial Album (1953)

February 16, 2024

• Lee Morgan – Search for the New Land (1964)
• Joe Henderson – Mode for Joe (1966)

March 15, 2024

• Miles Davis – Volume 2 [BLP 1502] (1952-54)
• Donald Byrd – A New Perspective (1963)

April 19, 2024

• Bobby Hutcherson – Happenings (1966)
• Herbie Hancock – Speak Like a Child (1968)

The Classic Vinyl Series runs alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.

 

[Rudy]

Turns out that two days ago, Jan. 6, was the 85th anniversary of the founding of Blue Note Records.

 

[Rudy]

The next release schedule was published today. Only one title so far that I'm interested in. (Lonnie Smith--Drives.)

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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

• Stanley Turrentine with The Three Sounds – Blue Hour (1960)
• Hank Mobley – Workout (1961)

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.