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Introducing Johnny Griffin
Johnny Griffin had been kicking around in R&B bands for years before his Blue Note debut in 1956. And what was "introduced" was a tenor saxophonist with a fresh sound, a warm, soulful style and the fastest technique in jazz. He moves from lyrical ballads to blistering tempos with ease. Within two years, Griff would become one of the leading tenor saxophonists in jazz as a member of Thelonious Monk's quartet.
Flare Up
London, 1970 saw the release of one of the most distinctive and enduring albums in the history of British jazz: Flare Up, the debut LP from visionary trumpeter and flugelhorn player Harry Beckett. Now widely recognized as a classic, the record remains a defining statement from an artist whose lyrical phrasing, inventiveness, and subtle command of mood set him apart on the vibrant UK scene.
Born in Barbados and arriving in London in the 1950s, Harry Beckett quickly became a central figure in th…
Portrait of Sheila
Portrait Of Sheila is the legendary 1962 debut album by Sheila Jordan, recognized as one of the only vocal jazz albums released by Blue Note in the 1960s. Backed by Barry Galbraith (guitar), Steve Swallow (bass), and Denzil Best (drums), Jordan’s inimitable approach includes stark, intimate renditions of standards, including a celebrated voice-bass duet on Bobby Timmons’ “Dat Dere.” The album’s new Tone Poet Series reissue, shipping in late 2025, brings her singular artistry to new audiences wit…
Think!
One of the funkiest & most inventive organists to ever walk the earth, Dr. Lonnie Smith made his name on Blue Note beginning with his 1968 label debut Think! Produced by Francis Wolff, the album featured trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist David Newman, guitarist Melvin Sparks, and drummer Marian Booker Jr., with Henry "Pucho" Brown, William Bivens, and Norberto Apellaniz adding percussion on two tracks. Groove is the thing on this session from the hard-driving opener “Song of Ice Bag” writt…
Fuchsia Swing Song
Originally released in 1965, Fuchsia Swing Song marked the powerful debut of saxophonist Sam Rivers on Blue Note Records. Recorded at Van Gelder Studio with a stellar band—Jaki Byard on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums—the album reveals Rivers' innovative take on post-bop and hard bop styles. With its balance of structure and freedom, this session showcases the saxophonist’s adventurous spirit and deep harmonic intelligence. Part of the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series, this r…
Ethiopian Knights
Right from the stop-start bass groove that opens The Emperor, it's immediately clear that Ethiopian Knights is more indebted to funk - not just funky jazz, but the straight-up James Brown / Sly Stone variety - than any previous Donald Byrd project. And, like a true funk band, Byrd and his group work the same driving, polyrhythmic grooves over and over, making rhythm the focal point of the music. Although the musicians do improvise, their main objective is to keep the grooves pumping, using their…
Tales Of The Algonquin
Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 180g. on British Jazz Explosion series. As in most European countries, jazz in Britain prior to the '60s was largely a copycat of its American counterparts. But with the emergence of artists like trumpeters Harry Beckett and Kenny Wheeler, bassists Graham Collier and Harry Miller, and saxophonists Stan Sulzmann and Alan Skidmore, a very specific yet remarkably diverse complexion began to emerge. From his emergence in the mid-'60s to 1971, baritone/soprano saxophonist…
Takin' Off
On his debut album Takin’ Off—recorded and released in 1962—jazz legend Herbie Hancock arrived fully formed at the helm of an impressive quintet with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Butch Warren, and drummer Billy Higgins. Though rooted firmly in hard bop, the brilliant pianist and composer presented his own strikingly original voice on this 6-song album consisting entirely of his own compositions from the funky hit “Watermelon Man” to the timeless ballad “Alo…
The Rumproller
After trumpeter Lee Morgan set the music world on fire with the runaway success of his hit soul-jazz single “The Sidewinder” in 1964, many artists tried to duplicate his triumphant feat in search of another boogaloo sensation. Even Morgan himself cooked up funky follow-ups using “The Sidewinder” recipe including “The Rumproller,” which was recorded the next year. Beyond the groovy title tune (which was written by Andrew Hill) the quintet featuring Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Ronnie Mathews…
Open Sesame
Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard burst upon the Blue Note scene in June 1960 with his auspicious debut album Open Sesame. Within 6 months Hubbard had already recorded a follow-up (Goin’ Up) and appeared as a sideman on sessions with Tina Brooks (True Blue), Hank Mobley (Roll Call), Kenny Drew (Undercurrent), and Jackie McLean (Bluesnik). Hubbard’s bravado style was already fully formed on Open Sesame with his brilliant tone and jaw-dropping technical prowess at the helm of sterling quintet with tenor s…
Blacks And Blues
Flutist Bobbi Humphrey found wide success with Blacks and Blues (1973), her breakout third album for Blue Note, working with the Mizell Brothers (who had recently hooked up with Donald Byrd to produce the trumpeter’s landmark album Black Byrd) to create a jazz-funk classic for the ages featuring the standout track “Harlem River Drive.” Humphrey’s alluring flute and breezy vocals paired with Larry Mizell’s compelling R&B jazz fusion compositions and production proved a winning combination that wo…
The Rubaiyat Of Dorothy Ashby
Essential Dorothy Ashby! This high quality Verve By Request edition is cut on 180 gram vinyl at Third Man Pressing in Detroit from a newly remastered transfer. Original Lab review: Released in 1969, Rubaiyat was the follow-up to the cult-favorite Afro Harping. Lesser known, perhaps due to its rarity, Rubaiyat follows in line with more of the funky awkwardness established by its predecessor. The monster track here is "The Moving Finger," with a chanting intro setting off a nice break followed by …
Destination... Out!
"Of all of McLean's Blue Note dates, so many of which are classic jazz recordings, Destination Out! stands as the one that reveals the true soulfulness and complexity of his writing, arranging, and 'singing' voice." - All Music
Profumo Di Donna
*In process of stocking.* Profumo di Donna (aka Scent of a Woman) is one of the most internationally acclaimed Italian films. The film directed by Dino Risi - based on the novel Il Buio e il Miele by Giovanni Arpino - was showcased at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival, where the main interpreter Vittorio Gassman was crowned with the Award for Best Actor. The following year Scent of a Woman found its international consecration with two Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Film and Best Screenpl…
Le Déjeuner Sur L'Herbe
2024 Stock, reduced price. Remastered edition on British Jazz Explosion series. ‘Le Déjeuner Sur L’Herbe’ features key players in modern British jazz including Henry Lowther, Ian Carr, Michael Gibbs, Derek Wadsworth, Barbara Thompson, Dave Gelly, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Frank Ricotti, Jack Bruce and Jon Hiseman, under the directorship of Neil Ardley. ‘Nardis’ features solos by Ian Carr on flugelhorn, George Smith on tuba and – rarely heard – Jack Bruce on acoustic bass. Complementing this is what…
The Holy Mountain O.S.T.
TIp! The Holy Mountain (1973) is considered Jodorowsky's definitive film; the music of the soundtrack is just as soundtrack is equally interesting, with musical styles ranging from primordial chants to sitar-based folk melodies, from full orchestral solids to more intimate symphonic arrangements, all a perfect accompaniment to the hallucinogenic climate of the film. The soundtrack features jazz musician Don Cherry.
Green Is Beautiful
Green Is Beautiful by Grant Green is a lively jazz-funk album recorded in 1970 at Van Gelder Studio and released on the Blue Note label. Marking a shift from his hard bop and soul jazz roots, Green embraces energetic funk grooves, supported by a stellar lineup including Blue Mitchell, Claude Bartee, Jimmy Lewis, Idris Muhammad, and organists Neal Creque and Emmanuel Riggins. The album’s five tracks, including covers of James Brown and The Beatles, showcase Green’s distinctive, melodic approach a…
The Body Is A Message Of The Universe
Limited edition reissue of 1000 copies. Pressed on black vinyl for better sound quality. Includes an insert. Reissue of this rare and unusually dreamy electronic ambient new age album. Originally created and released in a small edition in Japan back in 1987 by the mysterious musician / magician Shiho. The Body Is A Message Of The Universe features floating shimmering synthesizer textures. The Body Is A Message Of The Universe features floating shimmering synthesizer textures. It’s unique and ext…
Vista
180g Vinyl LP! Pressed at Third Man in Detroit! Marion Brown ended his '70s stint at Impulse! Records with this serene and colorful album. It features musicians such as drummer Ed Blackwell and bassist Reggie Workman, plus Stanley Cowell on acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes. While Brown wrote the blissful coaster Vista, the five other compositions are well-chosen, starting with an inviting version of Cowell's "Maimoun" and an impressionistic and deeply meditative take on Stevie Wonder's "Visions"…
The Dealer
Verve By Request continues its essential reissue series with Chico Hamilton's "The Dealer", a previously overlooked 1966 gem that captures one of jazz's most innovative drummers at a pivotal creative moment – and marks the recording debut of future fusion pioneer Larry Coryell. While Hamilton built his reputation discovering and nurturing young talent throughout his decades as a bandleader, "The Dealer" represents one of his most prescient finds. Coryell's solid and mellow performance lends a di…