Blue Note are releasing a further six CDs in the acclaimed RVG Edition on Monday 9th August 2004. The titles are:

Freddie Hubbard: BLUE SPIRITS. This album is Freddie Hubbard’s unrecognised masterpiece. With a four-horn front line and a surging rhythm section, he crafts brilliant compositions and voices them for maximum impact. Hubbard (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto), Joe Henderson (tenor), and Hank Mobley (tenor) solo with fire and passion. Added to the original album are two tunes from a later session with Henderson and Herbie Hancock (piano).

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: FREE FOR ALL. Recorded in 1964 this album represents the swansong for the band’s line-up with Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor), Curtis Fuller (trombone), and Cedar Walton (piano). The title tune has to be heard to be believed - each soloist seems to be bursting at the seams with ideas and emotion. Their version of Clare Rischer’s Pensativa is another highlight.

Jackie McLean: DESTINATION OUT. This music retains the bite and edgy energy it had when it was first recorded over forty years ago, in 1963. Grachan Moncur III’s open-ended but rooted compositions give the band plenty of room to manoeuvre. Moncur (trombone), Jackie McLean (alto), and Bobby Hutcherson (vibes) solo brilliantly, urged on by the polyrhythmic swing of Roy Haynes (drums).

Dexter Gordon: ONE FLIGHT UP. Donald Byrd’s hypnotic, multi-sectional Tanya, clocking in at 18 minutes and 15 seconds, became the surprise hit of this album, recorded in Paris in 1964. Gordon (tenor) is joined by three expatriates and the amazing Danish bassist Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen, then only 18-year-old. The tenor saxophonist is in great form; he and Byrd (trumpet) connect beautifully. One bonus track has been added to the original album.

Joe Henderson: IN N’ OUT. Every single album produced by the team of Joe Henderson and Kenny Dorham has become a Blue Note classic. In ‘N Out, propelled by the rhythm section of McCoy Tyner (piano), Richard Davis (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums), is particularly memorable for Henderson’s Punjab and Serenity, both of which have become jazz standards. An alternate take of the title tune has been added to the album, recorded in 1964.

McCoy Tyner: TENDER MOMENTS. Acclaimed pianist McCoy Tyner’s first opportunity to write and arrange for a larger ensemble was a resounding success. This album was recorded in 1967 with a nonet comprising two saxophones (Bennie Maupin, James Spaulding), trumpet (Lee Morgan), trombone (Julian Priester), French horn (Bob Northern) and tuba (Howard Johnson) together with Tyner’s own trio featuring Herbie Lewis (bass) and Joe Chambers (drums). Tyner uses the low brass effectively to get a rich sound while Lee Morgan devours the pianist’s music with invention and panache.

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COUNT BASIE

The jazz genius of Count Basie – who was born 100 years ago, on 21st August 1904 - is celebrated by Blue Note with two double-CD releases that are both in stores on Monday 23rd August 2004. The titles are:

THE COUNT BASIE STORY. In 1960, Count Basie’s Atomic band was riding an artistic peak with great soloists like Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Frank Wess and Frank Foster, the voice of Joe Williams and Sonny Payne, the greatest drummer to drive a big band. Thanks to charts by Neal Hefti and Frank Foster, the orchestra was more popular than at any time in its career.

Basie celebrated his 25th anniversary by resurrecting 21 of his greatest Thirties’ and Forties’ recordings with a fresh coat of paint in the form of superb stereo recording at Capitol Studios in New York. The occasion of his 100th birthday seemed the appropriate time to reintroduce the project. The delightful result is a career retrospective of great performances in impeccable sound. The original three-track mastered have been remixed and mastered in 24 bit. Three tunes have been added to the original double LP. The track listing is:

DISC ONE

1. BROADWAY

2. DOWN FOR DOUBLE

3. LESTER LEAPS IN

4. TOPSY

5. JUMPIN’ AT THE WOODSIDE

6. TAPS MILLER

7. SHORTY GEORGE

8. DOGGIN’ AROUND

9. AVENUE C

10. JIVE AT FIVE

11. ROCK-A-BYE BASIE

12. MOTEN SWING

DISC TWO

1. SWINGIN’ THE BLUES

2. SENT FOR YOU YESTERDAY

3. TICKLE TOE

4. BLUE AND SENTIMENTAL

5. TIME OUT

6. 9:20 SPECIAL

7. RED BANK BOOGIE

8. EVERY TUB

9. DICKIE’S DREAM

10. TEXAS SHUFFLE

11. OUT THE WINDOW

12. BOOGIE WOOGIE (I MAY BE WRONG)

13. GOOD MORNING BLUES

14. GEE BABY, AIN’T I GOOD TO YOU

COUNT BASIE & FRIENDS. This 28-tune collection is taken from Count Basie’s celebrated 1957-62 Roulette output and includes some of his most famous repertoire. Guests and collaborators include singers Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Irene Reid and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. Guest soloists include trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison and tenor saxophonists Ben Webster, Illinois Jacquet and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. These Basie classics and unique collaborations have been culled from 19 different sessions and the original analogue master tapes have been mastered in 24 bit. The track listing is:

DISC ONE

1. WHIRLY-BIRDS

Arranged by Neal Hefti

2. GOIN’ TO CHICAGO

Vocals by Joe Williams & Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

3. CUTE

Arranged by Neal Hefti

4. I WANT A LITTLE GIRL

Vocal by Nat King Cole

5. TEACH ME TONIGHT

Vocal by Joe Williams & Sarah Vaughan

6. THE LATE LATE SHOW

Arranged by Jimmy Mundy

7. LONESOME LOVER BLUES

Vocal by Billy Eckstine

Arranged by Quincy Jones

8. BLUE AND SENTIMENTAL

Guest soloist: Ben Webster

9. TRAV’LIN’ LIGHT

Vocal by Joe Williams

10. FAROUK 5:22

With Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis

11. FOR LENA AND LENNIE

Arranged by Quincy Jones

12. UNTOUCHABLE

Vocal by Irene Reid

13. EVERYDAY (I HAVE THE BLUES)

Vocal by Joe Williams

14. I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE

Vocal by Tony Bennett

DISC TWO

1. JUMPIN’ AT THE WOODSIDE

Vocals by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

2. LI’L DARLIN’

Arranged by Neal Hefti

3. IF I WERE A BELL

Vocal by Joe Williams & Sarah Vaughan

4. SPLANKY

Arranged by Neal Hefti

5. AIN’T NO USE

Vocal by Joe Williams

6. UNTIL I MET YOU (CORNER POCKET)

Vocal by Sarah Vaughan

7. SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY

Guest soloist: Illinois Jacquet

8. THE LATE LATE SHOW

Vocal by Nat King Cole

9. JEEPERS CREEPERS

Vocal by Tony Bennett

10. JELLY JELLY

Vocal by Billy Eckstine

11. KATY DO

Arranged by Benny Carter

12. SAVE YOUR LOVE FOR ME

With Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis

13. APRIL IN PARIS

Arranged by Wild Bill Davis

14. ONE O’CLOCK JUMP

Guest soloist: Harry “Sweets” Edison