New generations of musicians continue to explode existing notions of what jazz is by fearlessly taking the music in new directions. The new collective Fathers consists of four broad-minded artists who have established their presence at the forefront of that movement: producer Kenny Beats, keyboardist Kiefer, bassist CARRTOONS, and drummer Nate Smith. On their eponymous debut album, Fathers, the collective uses jazz as a jumping off point for an 8-track set that seamlessly blends jazz textures, hip-hop beats, and funk grooves into a potent mix.
In February 2018 artist Marsha Hammel invited me to bring my trio to a special event at The Gallery at Flatrock (NC) in which she would paint a portrait of the trio while we performed. Marsha also offered the use of the painting for an album cover. Months later, when I saw the magnificent finished portrait I confirmed it was a great opportunity to create an album to go with the painting. 723867192724 RIHH1927.2 46249005 9.35 13.98 .14 RICHHEART MUSIC COMPACT DISCS POP JAZZ 05/22/2026 https://mediacdn.aent-m.com/prod-img/500/02/3684102-3589579.jpg 1 1 N
BLAKEY,ART & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS MOANIN (BLUE NOTE ESSENTIALS SERIES) More than any other album in the canon of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, 1958's Moanin' was the perfect crystallization of the band's bluesy, soulful sound, and it still stands today as perhaps the most quintessential hard bop recording of all time. Originally self-titled, the album was later renamed Moanin' due to the popularity of Timmons' unforgettable opening track. Featuring the great drummer with trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, pianist Bobby Timmons, and bassist Jymie Merritt, the album also introduced several indelible Golson compositions that would become standards of the jazz songbook including, "Along Came Betty" and "Blues March." Blue Note Essential Series is mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140g vinyl.
Freddie Hubbard's 2nd Blue Note album, Goin' Up, delivered on the promise of his debut Open Sesame, once again proving him to be one of the most exciting new trumpeters on the jazz scene. The 1960 date featured Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums for a set of high-energy hard bop. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Even by the high-water marks set by Herbie Hancock's tremendous 1960s Blue Note output, 1965's Maiden Voyage remains one of the pinnacle artistic achievements of the great pianist's career. Hancock is joined here by his Miles Davis Quintet bandmates Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums, along with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and George Coleman on tenor saxophone. The quintet embarks on an oceanic exploration of five original Hancock compositions, several of which have since become enduring standards of the jazz lexicon including the title track, "Eye of the Hurricane," and "Dolphin Dance." Blue Note Essential Series is mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140g vinyl.
A decade into his recording career", pianist Horace Silver made the album that would endure as the crown jewel of a catalog that boasts numerous hard bop classics. Song for My Father captured the transition of his quintet with two tracks taken from an October 1963 session with Blue Mitchell", Junior Cook", Gene Taylor", and Roy Brooks. A year later Silver entered Van Gelder Studio again with a new band featuring Carmell Jones", Joe Henderson", Teddy Smith", and Roger Humphries for a session that yielded four more cuts including what would become his signature tune", "Song for My Father"," a dedication to his father that was inspired by both his Cape Verdean heritage and the music Silver had heard on a recent trip to Brazil. Blue Note Essential Series is mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140g vinyl.
There are several Chet Baker albums with the title Chet Baker Sings", but this one recorded for Pacific Jazz in 1954 and 1956 is the original", and arguably", the best. The album features Chet's indelible vocals and sterling trumpet playing with two different quartet line-ups both featuring pianist Russ Freeman on a set of classic standards that he made his own including "My Funny Valentine"," "That Old Feeling"," and "I Fall In Love Too Easily." For the first time in more than 60 years", this definitive edition was cut from the original master tapes in the correct order with pristine fidelity. The gatefold packaging includes additional session photography by William Claxton. Blue Note Essential Series is mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140g vinyl.
Lee Morgan's 1960 album, Lee-Way, is vintage hard bop of the highest quality with the trumpeter leading a quintet featuring Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. The 4-song set includes tunes by Cal Massey, McLean and Morgan's tribute to Blue Note's founders, "The Lion and the Wolff." This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Puerto Rican Saxophonist and Composer David Sanchez has followed his acclaimed 2019 album 'Carib' with a years-long exploration of the commonalities found in seemingly separate communities. His travel took him from Loiza, Puerto Rico - first to Haiti where he studied field recordings and the work of Haitian masters - then to San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia where he collaborated with Palenquero percussionist Franklin Tejedor. Both communities, though separated by geography, are united by their Afro-descendant roots and by music's enduring role as a vessel of memory, identity, and freedom-whether in Loiza's bomba seis corrido and seis rule or Palenque's lumbalu and it's rhythmic variations like mapale and bullerengue. This next chapter in David's journey builds substantially on 'Carib,' showing the depth of his commitment and interest in the true story of musical evolution. "The African diaspora has played a crucial role in redefining music and culture throughout the Americas. From the first moment I encountered it, I felt a deep nourishment and connection to my ancestors." - David Sanchez
