Blue Note Reissues: The Tone Poet Series

From the Blue Note (Universal) Press Release:

“In honor of Blue Note Records’ 80th Anniversary, the legendary Jazz label is launching the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series. Blue Note President Don Was brought in “Tone Poet” Joe Harley—co-founder and co-producer of the acclaimed Music Matters audiophile vinyl series—to produce this new series of all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is being manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI).”

Today I received the first pressing in the series – Wayne Shorter’s Etcetera.

This is a beautiful sounding effort, very reminiscent of the Music Matters pressings at a much reduced price. Perhaps not the same level of QA in every element (my label was placed off center) but worlds better than almost any mass produced modern vinyl. Straight from analog masters, 180g, gatefold, Tip-on Jacket, nary a warp or scuff in sight. Very, very well done. Wishing they would release the entire Blue Note catalog this way.

For now though here’s the schedule of upcoming releases:

February 8

• Wayne Shorter – Etcetera (Blue Note, 1965)
• Chick Corea – Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Solid State, 1968)

March 15

• Sam Rivers – Contours (Blue Note, 1965)

April 26

• Gil Evans – New Bottle Old Wine (World Pacific, 1958)
• Joe Henderson – The State of the Tenor: Live at the Village Vanguard, Volume 2 (Blue Note, 1985)
• Cassandra Wilson – Glamoured (Blue Note, 2003)

May 31

• Lou Donaldson – Mr. Shing-A-Ling (Blue Note, 1967)
• Lee Morgan – Cornbread (Blue Note, 1965)

June 28

• Baby Face Willette – Face To Face (Blue Note, 1961)
• Dexter Gordon – Clubhouse (Blue Note, 1965)

July 26

• Kenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny Burrell (Blue Note, 1956)
• Andrew Hill – Black Fire (Blue Note, 1963)

September 6

• Donald Byrd – Chant (Blue Note, 1961)
• Stanley Turrentine – Hustlin’ (Blue Note, 1964)

October 25

• Grant Green – Born to Be Blue (Blue Note, 1962)
• Tina Brooks – Minor Move (Blue Note, 1958)

November 15

• Hank Mobley – Poppin’ (Blue Note, 1957)
• Stanley Turrentine – Comin’ Your Way (Blue Note, 1961)