Blue Note has just announced the 2024 lineup of Tone Poet vinyl reissues. All are mastered by Kevin Gray of Cohearant from the original analog master tapes. There isn't too much of interest for me, but I'm beyond ecstatic that Silver's Serenade is finally getting a reissue! Just in time, as I'd been watching Discogs listing for over a year now, waiting to find an ideal used copy. (FYI--used copies of many Blue Note records in VG+ or better condition can fetch anywhere from $60 to over $200; these well-remastered reissues are a bargain in comparison, and sound better than the originals.) I've also liked a couple of Tony Williams' recordings, and his recording debut at 18 years old was on Blue Note with the Life Time album. There are a couple from Lee Morgan and Lou Donaldson also that may be interesting.
NOVEMBER 17, 2023
Blue Note Records has announced the 2024 line-up for the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series. The acclaimed series is produced by the “Tone Poet” Joe Harley and features definitive all-analog, 180g audiophile vinyl reissues that are mastered from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray of Cohearent Audio. Tone Poet vinyl is manufactured at RTI and packaged in deluxe gatefold tip-on jackets.
The titles were once again handpicked by Harley and include acknowledged treasures of the Blue Note catalog as well as underrated classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note umbrella including Pacific Jazz, Transition, and United Artists. Newly announced titles begin January 5th at the start of Blue Note’s 85th anniversary year with the release of Elvin Jones’s unfettered 1969 post-bop exploration Poly-Currents and Lou Donaldson’s 1968 soul jazz manifesto Midnight Creeper, both of which are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store.
“We are thrilled to present the 2024 Tone Poet line up,” says Harley. “You’ll notice 3 rare titles from Transition Records, the label founded by legendary producer Tom Wilson. These mono titles from the mid-50s may be new to you but the artists featured on these sessions include Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Art Blakey, and Horace Silver. For you Bobby Hutcherson and Jackie McLean fans, 2024 will be a banner year with 3 each of their most cherished albums. 2024 also sees the release of one my all-time favorite Wayne Shorter albums, the majestic Odyssey of Iska. There’s much more greatness but do keep your eyes and ears open for a very special addition to the line-up that will be announced early next year. As always, every one of these was cut directly from the original analog master tapes.”
Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series – 2024 Release Schedule:
January 5, 2024
- Lou Donaldson – Midnight Creeper (Blue Note, 1968)
- Elvin Jones – Poly-Currents (Blue Note, 1969)
- Blue Mitchell – Down With It (Blue Note, 1965)
- Joe Lovano – Trio Fascination: Edition One (Blue Note, 1997)
- Jackie McLean – Action (Blue Note, 1964)
- Booker Ervin – Tex Book Tenor (Blue Note, 1968)
- Horace Silver – Silver’s Serenade (Blue Note, 1963)
- Anthony Williams – Life Time (Blue Note, 1964)
- Donald Byrd – Byrd’s Eye View (Transition, 1955)
- Bobby Hutcherson – Total Eclipse (Blue Note, 1968)
- Doug Watkins – Watkins At Large (Transition, 1956)
- Kenny Dorham & Jackie McLean – Inta Somethin’ (Pacific Jazz, 1961)
- Donald Byrd – Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill (Transition, 1956)
- Wayne Shorter – Odyssey of Iska (Blue Note, 1970)
- Lee Morgan – Taru (Blue Note, 1968)
- Bobby Hutcherson – Medina (Blue Note, 1969)
- The Modest Jazz Trio (Jim Hall/Red Mitchell/Red Kelly) – Good Friday Blues (Pacific Jazz, 1960)
- Jackie McLean – Let Freedom Ring (Blue Note, 1962)
- Booker Little – Booker Little 4 and Max Roach (United Artists, 1958)
- Donald Byrd – Kofi (Blue Note, 1969-70)
- Clifford Jordan – Cliff Jordan (Blue Note, 1957)
- Bobby Hutcherson – Dialogue (Blue Note, 1965)
- Freddie Roach – Good Move (Blue Note, 1963)
- Hank Mobley – A Slice of the Top (Blue Note, 1966)
