Tower Records exclusive! SACD hybrid edition for Blue Note's 85th anniversary! TOWER RECORDS presents BLUE NOTE SA-CD HYBRID SELECTION

To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the founding of the prestigious jazz label Blue Note this year, Tower Records has launched a project called “BLUE NOTE SA-CD HYBRID SELECTION” to release selected popular works from the label’s catalog in SA-CD hybrid form. Twenty works will be released in four installments this year as limited editions.

Founded in New York in 1939 by German immigrant Alfred Lion, “Blue Note” is one of the most prestigious jazz labels. It is no exaggeration to say that jazz = Blue Note and Blue Note = jazz, and to this day the label continues to release albums with great jazz sounds and stylish artwork.

The newly launched project “BLUE NOTE SA-CD HYBRID SELECTION” selects well-known masterpieces that are out of print and difficult to obtain on the market, as well as titles that are being released on SACD for the first time, and converts them into SA-CD hybrids for this release. The sound reproduces the ideal form of jazz as envisioned by the master Rudy Van Gelder, who worked on many classic albums as an engineer for the BLUE NOTE label.

The first release in the series is five of Blue Note’s greatest albums. Each album contains a hit number that is unique to Blue Note, and these works have been brought back to life in high quality.

■TOWER RECORDS presents BLUE NOTE SA-CD HYBRID SELECTION 1st lineup

① Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers / Mornin’

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers / Moanin’ (1958)

② Bud Powell/The Scene Changes

The Amazing Bud Powell / The Scene Changes, Vol. 5 (1959)

③ Cannonball Adderley/Somethin’ Else

Cannonball Adderley / Somethin’ Else (1958)

④ John Coltrane / Blue Train

John Coltrane / Blue Train (1958)

⑤ Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin’

Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin'(1958)

[Release date]Wednesday, September 25, 2024

[Price]4,180 yen (tax included

[Planning and sales]Tower Records Inc.

[Production and release]Universal Music LLC

[Sales]Limited release at Tower Records nationwide, TOWERmini, TOWER RECORDS mini, and Tower Records Online

*Tower Records Online product page:https://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2024/08/23/0101

① Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers / Mornin’

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers / Moanin’ (1958)

② Bud Powell/The Scene Changes

The Amazing Bud Powell / The Scene Changes, Vol. 5 (1959)

③ Cannonball Adderley/Somethin’ Else

Cannonball Adderley / Somethin’ Else (1958)

④ John Coltrane / Blue Train

John Coltrane / Blue Train (1958)

⑤ Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin’

Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin'(1958)

[Release date]Wednesday, September 25, 2024

[Price]4,180 yen (tax included

[Planning and sales]Tower Records Inc.

[Production and release]Universal Music LLC

[Sales]Tower Records nationwide, TOWERmini, TOWER RECORDS mini,

Limited release on Tower Records Online

*Tower Records Online product page:https://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2024/08/23/0101

■ The biggest feature of this release

・Tower Records original project. Limited edition.

– Latest remastering in 2024 based on DSD transferred from the original US master tapes

– The CD layer has also been newly converted from DSD master to PCM.

・The first release is all stereo sound source

Commentary: Audio & visual critic Yoshio Obara (for all titles)

Music writer/journalist Kazunori Harada (work commentary)

■Details of the first release

① Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers / Mornin’

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers / Moanin’ (1958)

This is a representative album by the Jazz Messengers, led by legendary jazz drummer Art Blakey, and is one of Blue Note’s great albums. The hard bop sound produced by the earthy drumming is overwhelming. This is a masterpiece with an impressive opening that imitates a call-and-response composed by pianist Bobby Timmons, and includes a great performance of one of the Blue Note hits, “Moanin’.” Other highlights include “Along Came Betty” and “Blues March,” composed by tenor saxophonist Benny Golson.

② Bud Powell/The Scene Changes

The Amazing Bud Powell / The Scene Changes, Vol. 5 (1959)

Bud Powell is a renowned pianist who has influenced many pianists with his authentic bebop style piano. This album is one of the most popular among his leader albums for Blue Note. The first track, “Cleopatra’s Dream,” is a representative song of Bud Powell, and is also one of the Blue Note hits, widely known in Japan for being aired on TV commercials. The flowing piano phrasing over the swinging beat captivates the listener. Bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor also provide excellent support.

③ Cannonball Adderley/Somethin’ Else

Cannonball Adderley / Somethin’ Else (1958)

Although it is officially a work by alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, in reality it is a masterpiece produced under the leadership of trumpeter Miles Davis. The first track, “Autumn Leaves,” a famous chanson, is known as a great performance in jazz history, and Miles’ muted trumpet creates an indescribable melancholy. The following classic standard, “Love for Sale,” is also a wonderful interpretation on the muted trumpet. The piano is played by Hank Jones, the bass by Sam Jones, and the drums by Art Blakey, all of whom are virtuoso.

④ John Coltrane / Blue Train

John Coltrane / Blue Train (1958)

John Coltrane, the famous tenor saxophonist who had a great influence on many players. This album is Coltrane’s only album as a leader on Blue Note, and the powerful hard bop sound of the front three horns sextet with trumpeter Lee Morgan and trombone player Curtis Fuller is appealing. All the songs except for one are originals, and “Blue Train” and “Moments Notice” are Coltrane’s signature songs and are also known as Blue Note hits.

⑤ Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin’

Sonny Clark / Cool Struttin'(1958)

A masterpiece by pianist Sonny Clark, whose jacket artwork is so famous. The title track “Cool Struttin'” is a representative Blue Note hit that was played a lot in jazz cafes during the Showa era of the 1960s. The front is a lineup of great players, including Art Farmer on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto sax, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The second track “Blue Minor” is also recommended.

*Release date and specifications are subject to change without notice.

■ Second releaseRelease date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

① Lee Morgan / The Sidewinder

Lee Morgan/The Sidewinder (1964)

② Hank Mobley/ Dippin’

Hank Mobley/Dippin’ (1966)

③ Horace Silver / Song for My Father

The Horace Silver Quintet / Song For My Father (1964)

4. Herbie Hancock / Maiden Voyage

Herbie Hancock/Maiden Voyage (1965)

⑤ Eric Dolphy / Out to Lunch

Eric Dolphy / Out To Lunch! (1964)