The Bue Note Classic Vinyl Series is back with two stunning releases in the way of Grant Green’s seminal Idle Moments and Kenny Burrell’s Latin-tinged Midnight Blue, both remastered from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Coherent Audio, the man responsible for the Blue Note Tone Poet series. As far as sound quality is concerned, these are without question some of the highest quality Blue Note reissues on the market, cheaper Tone Poets if you will. Have a scroll through some of the other titles on offer in the series incase you have missed any
Grant Green – Idle Moments
‘Idle Moments’ is generally considered as one of Grant Green’s finest works. And it is a masterpiece, recorded over two sessions on 4th November 1963 and 15th November 1963. The line-up is an interesting one with the Al Harewood on drums and Bob Cranshaw on bass with Duke Pearson on piano completing the rhythm section. Joe Henderson is featured in an early Blue Note outing on tenor and the young vibes player Bobby Hutcherson completes the front line. Duke Pearson contributes the magnificent fifteen-minute title piece. Originally intended to be an eight-minute cut, Green and subsequent soloists doubled the length of their contributions. This slow thoughtful tune has a cinematic quality. Grant Green’s phrasing is unbelievably beautiful and reflective. Pearson’s piano work especially in the intro is delicate, whilst Henderson’s tenor is moody and soulful. Subsequent takes aimed at reducing ‘Idle Moments’ length failed to capture the magic of the longer version. As a result, two of the tracks ‘Jean de Flours’ and ‘Django’ had to be redone on 15th November as their original versions were now too long to fit the album. ‘Jean De Fleurs’ is a breezy swinger with Green’s guitar as eloquent as usual. ‘Django’ written by John Lewis for the Milt Jackson Quintet has a march like beat. Green and Henderson solo brilliantly again. The last track ‘Nomad’, another Duke Pearson tune, is another elongated groove – just over 12 minutes – that flies along.
Buy the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP HERE
Kenny Burrell – Midnight Blue
Guitarist Kenny Burrell alongside Grant Green became Blue Note’s stable guitar man. ‘Midnight Blue’ recorded on January 7 1963 is arguably Burrell’s finest work. His playing is relaxed and fluid and the Latin backdrop provided by percussionist Ray Barretto give the album a Bossa feel. Add the soulfulness of Stanley Turrentine’s meaty tenor sax and you have an album that is a complete delight. The material is sublime as tracks like ‘Chitlins Con Carne’ and ‘Wavy Gravy’ are ample proof. ‘Soul Lament’ is brooding and soulful. Six of the seven tracks are composed are co-composed by Kenny Burrell including the finale ‘Saturday Night Blues’ which is a slow simmering blues whose spirit is captured by both Burrell and Turrentine. ‘Midnight Blue’ is a quintessential Blue Note date, whose subtle appeal stretches beyond fans of the iconic label.
Buy the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series LP HERE
