Blue Note New Releases

[mjzee]

Release date May 20:

Acclaimed vibraphonist and composer Joel Ross returns with his third Blue Note album, The Parable of the Poet, an expansive album-length suite comprised of seven evocative movements. The suite is performed by a dynamic 8-piece ensemble with Ross joined by Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone, Maria Grand on tenor saxophone, Marquis Hill on trumpet, Kalia Vandever on trombone, Sean Mason on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, and Craig Weinrib on drums.

 

Release date May 27:

South African pianist & composer Nduduzo Makhathini follows his acclaimed Blue Note debut Modes of Communication, which was named one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2020 by The New York Times, with another profound artistic statement: In The Spirit of Ntu. The album features some of South Africa's most exciting young musicians including saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane, trumpeter Robin Fassie Kock, vibraphonist Dylan Tabisher, bassist Stephen de Souza, drummer Dane Paris, & other special guests.

 

[mjzee]

Release date March 3:

Drummer and composer Kendrick Scott returns with the release of Corridors, his third album for Blue Note Records, and first compositional treatment of trio context: saxophone, bass, and drums. Corridors unveils an exposed rumination from the Houston-born artist and his acclaimed collaborators: saxophonist Walter Smith III and bassist Reuben Rogers. Born during the pandemic lockdown, the record focuses on posing outward questions instead of inward contemplation. CD Softpak.

Release date March 17:

The Layers is a stunning companion piece to guitarist Julian Lage's acclaimed 2022 album View With A Room. The collection features six original pieces featuring the trio of bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King with the addition of guitar icon Bill Frisell. Intimate and gorgeous, The Layers is a welcome additional offering from this meeting of two of modern jazz's most distinctive voices with one of the music's most skilled and inventive rhythm sections.

Release date April 7:

Saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III has signed with Blue Note Records and enters a new era of his band leading career with the release of return to casual, the long-anticipated follow-up to his 2014 recording still casual. Reprising their bandmate roles, pianist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Matt Stevens, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Kendrick Scott reveal a seasoned depth of dimension alongside featured guest appearances by trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and pianist James Francies.

[mjzee]

Release date February 17:

The extended family around London's Total Refreshment Centre (TRC) connects continents and generations, creating the rich relationships on Transmissions From Total Refreshment Centre. It's an eclectic and electric collection drawing on new school jazz, hip hop, dub, soul, funk, and drill. Top players from London, Chicago, and Melbourne seeking out new collaborations, new ways of working, or just new tunes, always coming back to that central truth - that we all need each other. 180-gram LP.

[mjzee]

Release date May 19:

Dave McMurray returns with Grateful Deadication 2, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2021 tribute album which once again finds the saxophonist reimagining the songs of the Grateful Dead with his gritty and soulful Detroit sound. Dave is joined by special guests Oteil Burbridge, Bob James, Jamey Johnson, Greg Leisz and Don Was. Grateful Deadication 2 is a 9-song set that offers up Dead favorites and deep cuts including "Truckin'," "China Cat Sunflower," and "To Lay Me Down." CD Softpak.

[felser]

I like the cover art on the Walter Smith!

[HutchFan]

26 minutes ago, felser said:

I like the cover art on the Walter Smith!

Yeah.  It's cool. 

The cover feels very contemporary & 21st century while also echoing aspects of classic Blue Note/Reid Miles design. 

Hard to pull off that balancing act.  

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by HutchFan

[Rooster_Ties]

16 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Yeah.  It's cool. 

The cover feels very contemporary & 21st century while also echoing aspects of classic Blue Note/Reid Miles design. 

Hard to pull off that balancing act.  

 

+1, definitely!

[mjzee]

15 minutes ago, Rooster_Ties said:

+1, definitely!

+2.

[GA Russell]

1 hour ago, felser said:

I like the cover art on the Walter Smith!

Taylor Eigsti is a name I haven't thought about in a long time.

[mjzee]

Release date December 6:

Motion I is the debut album from Out Of/Into, the collective formerly known as The Blue Note Quintet, featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The band was formed in celebration of Blue Note Records' 85th Anniversary and embarked on an extensive U.S. tour in 2024 during which they honed a distinctive, progressive sound that is the perfect embodiment of the Blue Note ethos. "Blue Note has been such a wonderful home for the community, for incredible musicians, for creativity, for all these years," says Clayton. "You can't help but think about all those masters, all those heroes that you've grown up listening to. To get a chance to pay tribute and try to carry some of that essence forward is truly just an honor."

[jazzbo]

Wiliins and Ross--I'm in!

[Eric]

8 minutes ago, jazzbo said:

Wiliins and Ross--I'm in!

Plus Gerald Clayton - me too!

[mjazzg]

Yes, me too

Concept reminiscent of the New Directions album from 2000 (!?!) which I really enjoyed.

https://www.discogs.com/master/1431771-Harris-Moran-Osby-Shim-New-Directions

Although New Directions did a lot of covers whereas the new band seems to be original material 

Edited November 4 by mjazzg

[jlhoots]

3 hours ago, Eric said:

Plus Gerald Clayton - me too!

Me 3.