Vinyl LP pressing. South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini follows his acclaimed Blue Note debut, Modes of Communication (which was named one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2020 by The New York Times), with another profound artistic statement: In The Spirit Of Ntu. The album features some of South Africa's most exciting young musicians including saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane, trumpeter Robin Fassie Kock, vibraphonist Dylan Tabisher, bassist Stephen de Souza, drummer Dane Paris, and other special guests.

Vinyl LP pressing. Blue Note Tone Poet series. Herbie Nichols was one of the most original pianists and composers in Jazz history. Blue Note founder Alfred Lion considered him to be as unique and important a voice as Thelonious Monk, another singular talent who Lion was the first to record a few years before he signed Nichols in 1955. Little-known during his lifetime, recognition has begun to grow in recent decades for Nichols' incredibly hip, angular compositions, each of which were miniature marvels built with their own sturdy inner logic. Following his introduction on the two 10" LPs The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2., Nichols returned to Rudy Van Gelder's Hackensack, New Jersey studio in August 1955 with drummer Max Roach and bassist Al McKibbon-and again in April 1956 with Roach and bassist Teddy Kotick-for sessions that produced Herbie Nichols Trio (BLP 1519). This 12" LP was another collection of idiosyncratic Nichols originals including "The Gig," "House Party Starting," "Wildflower," and perhaps his best-known composition "Lady Sings the Blues" which was written for Billie Holiday.

Vinyl LP pressing. Miami-born trumpeter Blue Mitchell had a soulful, swinging style that was equally at home in jazz, R&B, and funk settings. Mitchell been a sideman on Blue Note sessions led by Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Smith, Jackie McLean and appeared on numerous classics as a member of the Horace Silver Quintet before he began recording his own Blue Note leader albums. For his 1965 date Down With It! The trumpeter reconvened the same dynamic quintet that had recorded his label debut The Thing To Do the year before including his Silver bandmates Junior Cook on tenor saxophone and Gene Taylor on bass along with a 24-year-old Chick Corea on piano and 22-year-old Al Foster on drums. The band comes flying out of the gate on the boogaloo grooved opener "Hi-Heel Sneakers" with other highlights of the set including the high-spirited "March On Selma" and the gorgeous ballad "Alone, Alone, Alone."

Double 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold jacket. Legendary labels Blue Note Records and Decca Records team up again to release the 2nd volume in acclaimed Blue Note Re: imagined series which features the most exciting young talents of the U.K. scene reworking classic Blue Note tracks by Donald Byrd, Grant Green, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Bobbi Humphrey, Marlena Shaw, Chico Hamilton, Chick Corea, Joe Lovano, Cassandra Wilson, and Norah Jones.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Trombonist J.J. Johnson took the language of bebop and adapted it to his instrument winning the admiration of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. After playing on Miles Davis' first Blue Note session, Johnson led several dates in 1953-54 that were compiled on The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1 featuring Clifford Brown, Charles Mingus and more. Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Legendary pianist and composer Thelonious Monk made his earliest recordings as a leader for Blue Note in 1947-48 as heard on the 1956 compilation Genius of Modern Music, Volume One (Blue Note 1510), released as part of the 1500 series featuring timeless Monk compositions including "'Round Midnight," "Ruby My Dear," "In Walked Bud," and "Well You Needn't." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine imbued every note he played with feeling and soul. His lesser-known 1968 classic, Common Touch, featured organist Shirley Scott, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad). Highlights include the groovy "Buster Brown" and the slow burn of "Lonely Avenue." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Blue Note's roster in the 1960s boasted numerous Hammond B3 organ whizzes including the soulful Kansas City-born master, Big John Patton. The dynamic quintet that he assembled for his 1965 album Oh Baby! Packed a punch with the B3 master joined by Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Harold Vick (tenor saxophone), Grant Green (guitar), and Ben Dixon (drums). Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Double 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Charlie Hunter's 1995 Blue Note debut Bing Bing Bing! Was a groove-heavy tour-de-force that announced the arrival of a virtuosic new guitarist on the scene. Hunter's unique concept on his 8-string guitar allowed him to lay down a bass line and play chords as well as a melodic line at the same time, producing music that was at once impressive and irrepressible. With his powerful trio featuring tenor saxophonist Dave Ellis and drummer Jay Lane plus contributions from trombonist Jeff Cressman, Ben Goldberg, pedal steel guitarist David Phillips, and percussionist Scott Roberts, Hunter delivered a 10-song set of propulsive originals including "Greasy Granny" and "Fistful of Haggis" plus an unforgettable cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are." Hunter would go on to record six more excellent albums for Blue Note, and also gain notice for playing on D'Angelo's 2000 neo-soul masterpiece Voodoo. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Extension was the last of three unique Blue Note sessions led by the singular saxophonist George Braith in the early 1960s. The album was rooted in soul jazz - with Grant Green (guitar), Billy Gardner (organ), and Clarence Johnston (drums) - but Braith's adventurous spirit led the music into unexpected realms on memorable originals like "Nut City." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. The soulful Louisiana-born tenor saxophonist, Don Wilkerson, made his Blue Note debut in 1962 with Preach Brother! - one of the most exuberant yet under-recognized soul jazz classics of the Blue Note catalog. The album featured the Ray Charles alum with Grant Green (guitar), Sonny Clark (piano), Butch Warren (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums). Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. One of the finest pianists and composers of the hard bop era, Sonny Clark arrived fully formed on his supremely swinging 1957 Blue Note debut, Dial "S" for Sonny. Clark assembled a top-flight sextet for the occasion with Art Farmer (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone), Wilbur Ware (bass), and Louis Hayes (drums). Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Organist "Brother" Jack McDuff came to Blue Note and made one of the most ambitious albums of his career with Moon Rappin'. Released in 1970, it features five funky, spaced-out originals including "Oblighetto," which would later be sampled by A Tribe Called Quest as the foundation of their classic tracks "Scenario," and "Check the Rhime." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Ronnie Foster caught the ear of Blue Note Records after appearing on Grant Green's album Alive! And made his own Blue Note debut with Two Headed Freap. It includes covers of Al Green and Wilson Pickett along with originals like "Mystic Brew," which A Tribe Called Quest would later sample on their classic track "Electric Relaxation." Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes.

Vinyl LP pressing. Saxophonist and composer Charles Lloyd has been a free spirit, master musician, and visionary. At 84, he remains at the height of his powers and as prolific as ever. As a sound seeker, Lloyd has perhaps found no greater manifestation than on his Trio of Trios project, which encompasses 3 albums in different trio settings. The third, Trios: Sacred Thread, features guitarist Julian Lage and percussionist Zakir Hussain.

Charles Lloyd - "Trios: Ocean" - As a sound seeker, Charles Lloyd's restless creativity has perhaps found no greater manifestation than on his latest masterwork, an expansive project that encompasses three albums with an overarching theme, each presenting him in a different trio setting-a Trio of Trios. The first The second, Trios: Ocean (out September 23), features guitarist Anthony Wilson and pianist Gerald Clayton.

Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson hadn't recorded for Blue Note since 1963 when he returned to the label in 1967 and began a new chapter in his lengthy career. Sweet Papa Lou had helped lay Blue Note's soul jazz foundation alongside Hammond B3 organists including Jimmy Smith, Baby Face Willette, and Big John Patton going back to the late-1950s thru the early-60s on standout dates including his own Here 'Tis, Good Gracious!, and The Natural Soul. Upon his return Donaldson pushed ahead with a new hard-grooving sound on 1967's Alligator Bogaloowhich was the first of his many collaborations with organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith and also featured the young guitar star George Benson and the impossibly funky drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad). On Mr. Shing-A-Ling he added the bluesy trumpeter Blue Mitchell to the mix, and for 1968's soul jazz manifesto Midnight Creeper he got the whole gang back together for a greasy 6-song set including the jaunty title track, "Love Power," "Bag of Jewels," and "Dapper Dan."

Double vinyl LP pressing. The acclaimed Cleveland-born saxophonist Joe Lovano came to Blue Note Records in 1990 and over the next 25 years became one of the most recorded artists in the label's history, building a formidable and far-ranging catalog that explored the full breadth of his artistry. Recorded in September 1997, Trio Fascination: Edition One stands out as one of the more remarkable sessions in Lovano's discography with the saxophonist joining forces with two all-time legends-bassist Dave Holland and drummer Elvin Jones-in a spare trio setting that finds these three masters conversing freely. Throughout Lovano can be heard on tenor, soprano, alto, and straight alto saxophones, as well as alto clarinet, and the set consists of nine creative Lovano originals including the pulsing opener "New York Fascination," the spacious "Sanctuary Park," the Sam Rivers tribute "Studio Rivbea," and a stunning rendition of the lone standard "Ghost of a Chance." This Tone Poet Vinyl Edition marks the album's first-ever release on vinyl.

POLY-CURRENTS (BLUE NOTE TONE POET SERIES)

Gregory Porter's debut studio album, Water - originally released in 2010 under the Motema Music label - is now reissued on Blue Note Records. The tracks include love stories such as "Illusion and Pretty," and protests for African-American civil rights like "1960 What?" which recounts the 1967 Detroit riots. Water was hailed by fans and critics alike, elevating Porter to the status of the next great jazz star and marking the beginning of his successful career.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold tip-on jacket. The trio of Grant Green, Larry Young and Elvin Jones had a unique alchemy from the first time they got together on 1964's Talkin' About. For 1965's I Want To Hold Your Hand, they added Hank Mobley to the mix for sophisticated renditions of well-known songs by the Beatles, Ant�nio Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter and more. Blue Note Tone Poet Series is produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes.

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson was a frequent presence on Blue Note sessions in the bebop era. As part of the fabled 1500 Series begun in 1956, the label issued the 12-inch compilation Milt Jackson and The Thelonious Monk Quintet which expanded Jackson's 10-inch LP Wizard of the Vibes with tracks from 1948 and 1951 dates led by Monk. The album cover was the first designed by Reid Miles. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Mastered by Kevin Gray. The fourth volume of The Amazing Bud Powell series, recorded in 1958, found the brilliant bebop piano master in particularly fine form on an ebullient set of his original tunes including "Buster Rides Again," "Monopoly," and "John's Abbey." Powell's inventive solo flights shine in a trio setting with Sam Jones on bass and "Philly" Joe Jones on drums.

Kansas City-born Hammond B3 organ dynamo Big John Patton made a stellar run of soul jazz albums for Blue Note through the 1960s but Let 'Em Roll stands among his finest with Patton adding vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson to a standard organ trio line-up with guitarist Grant Green and drummer Otis Finch. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Series was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.

Vinyl LP pressing. Blue Note Tone Poet Series. Jackie McLean's music weaved in and out of the avant-garde throughout the 1960s with the brilliant 1963 inside-out dates One Step Beyond and Destination... Out! Eventually leading to full-throated free jazz of the 1967 dates New and Old Gospel (featuring Ornette Coleman on trumpet) and 'Bout Soul. Demon's Dance, which was recorded in December 1967, found the alto saxophonist maintaining a decidedly post-bop edge with a spirited quintet comprised of trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist LaMont Johnson, bassist Scott Holt, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The six-song set presented a pair of tunes each by McLean, Shaw, and composer Cal Massey with highlights including McLean's churning title track, Shaw's tuneful bossa "Sweet Love of Mine," and Massey's brightly swinging "Message from Trane" in tribute to the great John Coltrane who had passed away early that year. But the album's most striking feature may be the unforgettable cover artwork by Mati Klarwein whose work also graced the cover of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew.