Blue Note Announces New 2023 "Tone Poet" Series Line-Up

acclaimed all-analog mastered from original tape 180g series produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray

Blue Note Records just announced the upcoming 2023 line-up for the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, produced by "Tone Poet" Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. RTI manufactures the records, which are packaged in deluxe gatefold tip-on jackets.

Once again, Harley handpicked the titles, which include include acknowledged treasures from the Blue Note catalog as well as underrated classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note umbrella including Pacific Jazz.

Newly announced titles begin March 3 with the release of two under-recognized albums that are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store. Pianist Andrew Hill’s excellent 1968 session Dance With Death featured his singular compositions performed by a versatile quintet with trumpeter Charles Tolliver, saxophonist Joe Farrell, bassist Victor Sproles, and drummer Billy Higgins. The Remarkable Carmell Jones is a rare gem from the Pacific Jazz catalog recorded in 1961 with the trumpeter Carmell Jones joined by tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Frank Strazzeri, bassist Gary Peacock, and drummer Leon Pettis. The Tone Poet Vinyl Edition of The Remarkable Carmell Jones will include a new essay by Thomas Conrad that elucidates the story behind the album.

“What a supreme pleasure to present the 2023 Tone Poet lineup! Some you’ll be familiar with, some you won’t,” says Harley. “Each one has special meaning for me. These are some of my absolute favorites from the Blue Note family of labels. And every one of these was cut directly from the original analog master tapes.”

Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series – 2023 Release Schedule:

 

January 6, 2023

• ScoLoHoFo (Scofield-Lovano-Holland-Foster) – Oh! (Blue Note, 2002)

 

February 3, 2023

• Donald Byrd – At The Half Note Cafe, Vol. 1 (Blue Note, 1960)

 

March 3, 2023

• Carmell Jones – The Remarkable Carmell Jones (Pacific Jazz, 1961)

• Andrew Hill – Dance With Death (Blue Note, 1968)

 

April 7, 2023

• Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings and Plays (Pacific Jazz, 1955)

• Stanley Turrentine – Mr. Natural (Blue Note, 1964)

 

May 5, 2023

• Gil Evans Orchestra – Great Jazz Standards (Pacific Jazz, 1959)

• Freddie Hubbard – Blue Spirits (Blue Note, 1965)

 

June 2, 2023

• Donald Byrd – Slow Drag (Blue Note, 1967)

• McCoy Tyner – Time For Tyner (Blue Note, 1968)

 

July 7, 2023

• Sonny Clark Trio – Sonny Clark Trio (Blue Note, 1957)

• Hank Mobley – A Caddy For Daddy (Blue Note, 1965)

 

August 4, 2023

• Lee Morgan – Infinity (Blue Note, 1965)

• Duke Pearson – The Right Touch (Blue Note, 1967)

 

September 1, 2023

• Big John Patton – Let ‘Em Roll (Blue Note, 1965)

• Wayne Shorter – Schizophrenia (Blue Note, 1967)

 

October 6, 2023

• Herbie Nichols Trio – Herbie Nichols Trio (Blue Note, 1955-56)

• Jackie McLean – Demon’s Dance (Blue Note, 1967)

 

November 3, 2023

• Kenny Burrell – K.B. Blues (Blue Note, 1957)

• Jack Wilson – Easterly Winds (Blue Note, 1967)

 

December 1, 2023

• Grant Green – I Want To Hold Your Hand (Blue Note, 1965)

• McCoy Tyner – Extensions (Blue Note, 1970)

Watch this video about the Tone Poet Series: