Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series All-Analog Mono 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

Blue Note Records has announced the continuation of the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series which presents 180g vinyl LP reissues in standard packaging mastered by Kevin Gray and manufactured at Optimal. The pressings are all-analog whenever an analog source is available, with Gray mastering directly from the original master tapes. While the first 16 titles of the series focused on the best-known Blue Note classics from the 1950s and 60s, the new run of titles curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman broadens its scope to span the many eras and styles of the legendary label's eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems.

Trombonist J. J. Johnson took the language of bebop and adapted it to his instrument winning the admiration of Fats Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. After appearing on Miles Davis' first Blue Note session in 1952, Johnson was given the chance to lead his own dates in 1953 and 1954. The first featured a sextet with Johnson joined by the brilliant trumpeter Clifford Brown, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke who perform a varied program with up-tempo burners like "Turnpike" and beautiful ballads like "Lover Man." For his next session Johnson went back into Van Gelder Studio to cut memorable takes of "Old Devil Moon," the percolating original "Coffee Pot," and more with a quintet featuring Wynton Kelly on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, Clarke once again on drums, and the conguero Sabu Martinez.

The two sessions were later combined for the 12" release The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Volume 1 (BLP 1505).

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All analog mono 180g vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany
• Standard packaging