Don Cherry

Where Is Brooklyn? is a milestone in the adventurous career of Don Cherry, showcasing his fearless approach as a leader and innovator in the jazz world. Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in 1966 and originally released by Blue Note, this session features a remarkable lineup: Pharoah Sanders on tenor saxophone and piccolo, Henry Grimes on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums. Together, these musicians create a highly interactive and participatory soundscape, pushing the boundaries of post-bop into the avant-garde.

The album opens with “Awake Nu,” immediately immersing listeners in a world of rhythmic complexity and melodic invention. Tracks like “Taste Maker” and “The Thing” highlight the group’s collective improvisational prowess, while “There Is The Bomb” and the expansive “Unite” demonstrate Cherry’s ability to craft memorable motifs within a free-flowing structure. The chemistry among the musicians is palpable, with Sanders’s fiery saxophone, Grimes’s resonant bass, and Blackwell’s polyrhythmic drumming all contributing to a sound that is both exploratory and deeply rooted in jazz tradition. This new Japanese UHQ-CD reissue, remastered by Kevin Gray, offers unparalleled fidelity, faithfully reproducing the nuances of the original master tapes and presenting the music with exceptional clarity and depth. Each disc is presented in a jewel case with obi-strip and original sleeve notes, making it a true collector’s item for jazz enthusiasts celebrating the 85th anniversary of Blue Note.

Where Is Brooklyn? stands as a testament to Cherry’s vision, his openness to collaboration, and his role in shaping the sound of modern jazz. For collectors and new listeners alike, this reissue is an essential addition-an opportunity to experience a pivotal moment in jazz history with sound quality that approaches the high standards of Crystal Discs.