The 2025 Annotated Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series
Does the IRS Allow You to Claim Your Turntable As a Dependent?
Hot on the heels of the Tone Poet Class of 2025 is the Blue Note Classic Vinyl 2025 lineup! Like previous titles, the 2025 titles are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. There’s something here for everyone, from the iconic to the esoteric and the dance floor to the profoundly cerebral. I’ve taken a different approach to embedding audio from my prior Substack posts. If you want to sample music from these releases, please click on the album title, which will bring up a launch page where you can select your preferred streaming platform. Here they are, the Blue Note Classic Vinyl titles for 2025!
January 17, 2025
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Like Someone In Love
Session Dates: August 7 & 14, 1960. Personnel: Art Blakey-Drums, Lee Morgan-Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Wayne Shorter-Tenor Saxophone, Bobby Timmons-Piano, Jymie Merritt-Bass
These two August sessions produced two excellent Jazz Messengers records: A Night in Tunisia and Like Someone In Love. Like Someone in Love doesn’t have the iconic centerpiece of its sibling’s title track, but it DOES have Wayne Shorter’s ballad masterpiece “Sleeping Dancer Sleep On,” which makes this record a must.
Freddie Hubbard - Here to Stay
Session Date: December 27, 1962. Personnel: Freddie Hubbard-Trumpet, Wayne Shorter-Tenor Saxophone, Cedar Walton-Piano, Reggie Workman-Bass, Philly Joe Jones-Drums
Here to Stay was first recorded in ‘62, then shelved until 1976, when it was issued along with Hub Cap as a double LP in Blue Note’s Classic/Re-Issue series. Like many other shelved sessions, quality wasn’t a factor in the decision to sentence this record to 10+ hard years of vaultitude. Picture Philly Joe Jones taking over the drum chair for the Jazz Messengers—what’s not to love? The “Body and Soul” on this record is a gem.
February 21, 2025
Session Date: December 16, 1956. Personnel: Sonny Rollins-Tenor Saxophone, Donald Byrd-Trumpet, Wynton Kelly-Piano, Gene Ramey-Bass, Max Roach-Drums
Great ensemble record. Kevin Gray nailed the sonics with his mastering work on the 2019 Music Matters SRX pressing, which made me dig this record even more. He always brings his “A” game, so if you’ve been waiting for a reasonably priced alternative, here it comes. This photo of Sonny in the gatefold on the SRX is one of my favorites.
Dexter Gordon - Our Man In Paris
Session Date: May 23, 1963. Personnel: Dexter Gordon-Tenor Saxophone, Bud Powell-Piano, Pierre Michelot-Bass, Kenny Clarke-Drums
All of Dexter’s 60s Blue Note records should be in your library. If you’re hesitating because Our Man In Paris is comprised entirely of standards, that’s understandable but unnecessary. This quartet delivers. Again and again.
March 21, 2025
Horace Silver - Serenade to a Soul Sister
Session Dates: February 23 & May 29, 1968. Personnel: Horace Silver-Piano, Charles Tolliver-Trumpet, Bennie Maupin & Stanley Turrentine-Tenor Saxophones, Bob Cranshaw & John Williams-Bass, Mickey Roker & Billy Cobham-Drums (Cobham’s first session, too!)
It's one of Silver’s last outstanding records for Blue Note. I bought my first vinyl copy of this record at Academy Records, pulling it from the bin moments before running into the Jazz Detective, Zev Feldman. He assured me it was money well spent, and he has yet to steer me wrong. Pic, or it didn’t happen?
Session Date: November 6, 1968. Personnel: Lou Donaldson-Alto Saxophone, Blue Mitchell-Trumpet, Charles Earland-Organ, Jimmy Ponder-Guitar, Idris Muhammad-Drums
You gotta love the Internet. On Wikipedia, which shows up among the first (if not THE first) in search engine results, you get an entry quoting the 1-and-a-half-star AMG review stating: "his group sounds awkward and uneasy. There are a few good moments scattered throughout the album, particularly by Mitchell, but overall, Say It Loud! is one of the weakest records in Donaldson's catalog". However, if you take just a moment longer to look at what other, less-trafficked sites have to say, <paraphrasing> “AMG can go pound sand. This album kills!” I’ve never owned or heard it, but I look forward to forming my opinion.
April 18, 2025
Session Dates: Nov 24-26, 1986. Personnel: Tony Williams-Drums, Wallace Roney-Trumpet, Billy Pierce-Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Mulgrew Miller-Piano, Charnette Moffett-Bass
Session Dates: December 16, 1988. Personnel: Don Pullen-Piano, Gary Peacock-Bass, Tony Williams-Drums
April is Tony Williams's month in the Blue Note Classics calendar. I admire both artists, but I don’t know these records well enough to offer insight or opinion. I look forward to hearing them so that I can!
May 16, 2025
Session Date: November 13, 1960. Personnel: Hank Mobley-Tenor Saxophone, Freddie Hubbard-Trumpet, Wynton Kelly-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, Art Blakey-Drums
Session Date: June 18, 1960. Personnel: Stanley Turrentine-Tenor Saxophone, Horace Parlan-Piano, George Tucker-Bass, Al Harewood-Drums
Both of these hard-bop classics are among my most-played Music Matters vinyl editions. The Mobley record is from his golden Jurassic era, and while I still give the nod to Soul Station as his best from this period, Roll Call comes close. Look Out might become your favorite Stanley Turrentine record—his chemistry with the Horace Parlan Trio is excellent, and Rudy Van Gelder knocked this recording out of the park. The quartet format pushes Turrentine to deliver one of his best performances on record—he’s in the spotlight, knows it, and crushes it.
June 20, 2025
Baby Face Willette - Stop and Listen
Session Date: May 22, 1961. Personnel: Baby Face Willette-Organ, Grant Green-Guitar, Ben Dixon-Drums
Session Date: August 23, 1962. Personnel: Freddie Roach-Organ, Kenny Burrell-Guitar, Percy France-Tenor Saxophone, Clarence Johnston-Drums
In June 1935, the first Hammond organ was released: the Model A. So, happy organ month? I’m unfamiliar with both of these records. If approached with kindness and respect, do you think Don Was would be willing to co-sign a bank loan? Asking for a friend.
July 18, 2025
Donald Byrd - Stepping Into Tomorrow
Session Dates: Fall 1974. Personnel: Donald Byrd-Trumpet, The Mizell Brothers-Producers and Arrangers, Larry Mizell-Keyboards, Fonce Mizell-Keyboards and Trumpet. And LOTS of other musicians!
Session Dates: April 2, 1976. Personnel: Eddie Henderson-Trumpet, Patrice Rushen-Keyboards, Hadley Caliman-Sax/Flute, Julian Priester-Trombone, Paul Jackson-Bass, Mike Clark, Woody Theus, Billy Hart-Drums, Mtume-Percussion
These jazz-funk records have taken some heat from purists who don’t appreciate the electricity, perceived pandering to commercial interests, or lack of traditional jazz structures. Some are more forgiving and have discovered the charms of these records. Others have gone even further, making this music relevant to new audiences. Eddie Henderson’s “Inside Out” is the foundation of Jay-Z & Memphis Bleek’s “Coming of Age” from Hova’s debut album Reasonable Doubt. Byrd’s “Think Twice” and the title track are also frequently sampled.
August 15, 2025
Wayne Shorter - The Soothsayer
Session Date: March 4, 1965. Personnel: Wayne Shorter-Tenor Saxophone, Freddie Hubbard-Trumpet, James Spaulding-Alto Saxophone, McCoy Tyner-Piano, Ron Carter-Bass, Tony Williams-Drums
August has the two BNCs that I’m most excited about. The Soothsayer is your next favorite Wayne Shorter record if it’s not among your favorites already. Recorded a couple of months after Speak No Evil and Miles Davis’s E.S.P., The Soothsayer is in a similar freebop lane, though the sextet format gives Wayne an even broader set of options. I look forward to hearing a LOT of people invoking the “OMG, best Wayne Shorter album, EVAH!” chant. I might even join them.
Lee Morgan - The Procrastinator
Session Date: July 14, 1967. Personnel: Lee Morgan-Trumpet, Wayne Shorter-Tenor Saxophone, Bobby Hutcherson-Vibraphone, Herbie Hancock-Piano, Ron Carter-Bass, Billy Higgins-Drums
The Procrastinator is my favorite Lee Morgan record. It would be at the top of many more lists, too, if it hadn’t suffered fate’s one-two punch that continues to keep The Procrastinator from receiving the audience and accolades it deserves. Until now!! Recorded in July 1967 with a dream team that includes 3/5 of the Miles Davis Second Great quintet —Ron Carter-bass, Herbie Hancock-piano, and Wayne Shorter-tenor sax, all of whom were working on Nefertiti at the time—joined by drummer Billy Higgins and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Morgan composes four tracks and Shorter two, all advanced hard-bop/modal in nature, with my favorites being Shorter’s “Dear Sir” and the Morgan-penned title track. It’s also a great-sounding recording—Rudy Van Gelder knocked it out of the park! As previously mentioned, there’s rarely a logical correlation between the decision to shelve a session and its quality. Sadly, though, such albums can develop a “stink of mediocrity” without factual basis—the nuances of record company decision-making are rarely apparent, and even if they were, fans/consumers/ enthusiasts are likely to believe they know better anyway! The shelving punch knocked The Procrastinator for a loop, but the second punch did more to keep this record off the record. The convoluted release history of this record reads like the setup to one of those SAT math problems that still give me anxiety dreams. This Blue Note Classic release of The Procrastinator is the session recorded on July 14, 1967, which was vaulted until 1978. The Procrastinator was released as disc one of a Blue Note Classics Series “twofer” LP. Disc two was another shelved session from the fall of 1969 with Julian Priester-trombone, George Coleman-tenor sax, Harold Mabern-piano, Walter Booker-bass, and Mikey Roker-drums. This double album—the debut title in that 70s Classics series—was subsequently broken out into individual vinyl releases in Japan. The 1969 session was issued as Lee Morgan Sextet (GXF-3024) and, to date, is the only standalone release of this session—put that aside for the moment as it only confuses an already confusing release history. The Procrastinator disc of that double LP was issued on King Records as Lee Morgan All-Star Sextet (ST-83023/GXF-3023) but with the same cover photo as the 1978 US twofer. Then, Blue Note US finally issued The Procrastinator as a standalone LP in 1995 as part of their Connoisseur Series (B1 7243 8 33579 1), marking the debut of this music on CD, both issued with new cover artwork. Finally, Music Matters released it as a standalone session in 2012 (MMBST-83023, EMI – 509990-82086-1-3) as a 2XLP cut at 45 RPM with yet different artwork than all previous releases. OK, everybody clear? There will be a test later.
September 19, 2025
Session Date: September 1, 1957. Personnel: Sonny Clark-Piano, John Coltrane-Tenor Saxophone, Donald Byrd-Trumpet, Curtis Fuller-Trombone, Paul Chambers-Bass, Art Taylor-Drums
Session Date: August 13, 1960. Personnel: Freddie Redd-Piano, Jackie McLean-Alto Saxophone, Tina Brooks-Tenor Saxophone, Paul Chambers-Bass, Louis Hayes-Drums
Two more hard-bop killers that have a lot to offer. The standards on Side A of Sonny’s Crib are beautifully played, but his original compositions on Side B will knock you out. The pairing of Jackie McLean and Tina Brooks on Freddie Redd’s record is inspired. I overlooked this record for years—please learn from my mistake.
October 17, 2025
Session Date: June 12, 1964. Personnel: Grant Green-Guitar, James Spaulding-Alto Saxophone, Flute, Joe Henderson-Tenor Saxophone, McCoy Tyner-Piano, Bob Cranshaw-Bass, Elvin Jones-Drums
Elvin Jones - Puttin' It Together
Session Date: April 8, 1968. Personnel: Elvin Jones-Drums, Joe Farrell-Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Jimmy Garrison-Bass
Solid is an outstanding title in Green’s discography. This largely uptempo hard-bop session expands his Matador lineup with Joe Henderson (tenor sax) and James Spaulding (alto sax). It trades the laid-back evening vibes for a morning triple espresso. It’s fantastic! Nobody ever talks about this Elvin Jones album, despite its overall excellence and the fact that it contains some of Joe Farrell’s best playing of his career. I hope Puttin’ It Together is on the radar of many more listeners with this BNC reissue.
November 21, 2025
Session Date: January 8, 1964. Personnel: Andrew Hill-Piano, Bobby Hutcherson-Vibraphone, Richard Davis-Bass, Elvin Jones-Drums
Jackie McLean - One Step Beyond
Session Date: April 30, 1963. Personnel: Jackie McLean-Alto Saxophone, Grachan Moncur III-Trombone, Bobby Hutcherson-Vibes, Eddie Khan-Bass, Tony Williams-Drums
November is an inside/outside month! Blue Note picked two gems to celebrate. One Step Beyond is part of a “trilogy” that includes McLean’s Destination Out and Grachan Moncur III’s Evolution, as they share musician and musical DNA. One Step Beyond is also one of drummer Tony Williams’s earliest recordings (he was 17) and a superbly recorded album—don’t let the “outside” parts scare anybody. Hill’s Judgment is also a sonic beast. Though piano and vibes can compete for similar tonal space, here they dance like cobras that can’t decide if they want to fight or fuck. Brilliant, though not for beginners.
December 12, 2025
Session Date: August 25, 1957, & February 25, 1958. Personnel: Jimmy Smith-Organ, Lee Morgan-Trumpet, Curtis Fuller-Trombone, George Coleman & Tina Brooks-Tenor Saxophones, Donald Bailey & Art Blakey-Drums, Eddie McFadden & Kenny Burrell-Guitars
Johnny Griffin - A Blowin’ Session (aka Vol. 2)
Session Date: April 8, 1957. Personnel: Johnny Griffin, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley-Tenor Saxophones, Lee Morgan-Trumpet, Wynton Kelly-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, Art Blakey-Drums
After the cerebral knottiness of November, it’s time to get out of that headspace, up from the couch, put on your dancing shoes, and remember that jazz is also FUN. Blue Note closes the year with two good-time records featuring the day's top players who aren’t afraid to show us how it’s done. Both records are classics. The Griffin jam session is a masterclass in sax virtuosity and teamwork. House Party comes from the same sessions that resulted in the better-known Smith LP, The Sermon. Though House Party doesn’t always wail with the same reckless abandon, it has a bigger sound due to the presence of Curtis Fuller. Do you need both records? Probably. Hey… it’s only two weeks until Christmas!
Thank you!
Happy to see two favorite albums recognized— The Soothsayer and The Procrastinator. You can almost hear Steely Dan being conceived and born in The Big Push.