Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Pianist and composer Aaron Parks returns to Blue Note with Little Big III, the third album in a triptych backed by his own band Little Big. Once again, Little Big pack a microcosmic punch for a macrocosmic time, bringing concise, accessible songwriting and vibrant, empathetic playing to a powerfully modern, post-genre concept for improvised music in the 21st Century. From the serene navy blues of 'Delusions' to the flourishingly measured basement bar bravura of 'Ashe', this is a cracking blue jazz album, held together by Parks in fusion with the the unique talents of David Ginyard Jr., Jongkuk Kim and Greg Tuohey.

Review: Pianist and composer Aaron Parks made his first Blue Note appearance as a member of Terence Blanchard's band; an outfit akin to The Jazz Messengers in its cultivation of future jazz greats. After appearing on the trumpeter's albums Bounce, Flow, and A Tale of God's Will through the early 2000s, Parks made his own Blue Note debut in 2008 with Invisible Cinema, a striking album that has only grown in its influence across the modern jazz landscape since its release. The band - a quartet featuring the pianist with Mike Moreno on guitar, Matt Penman on bass, and Eric Harland on drums - travelled across new sonic and rhythmic frontiers on this set of Parks' evocative original compositions which were imbued with a cinematic drama and drew inspiration from the likes of Wayne Shorter, Radiohead, Bjork, Meshell Ndegeocello, and more. This first-time vinyl release includes two bonus tracks previously only available in Japan.

Review: This Tone Poet Vinyl Edition presents Horace Parlan's quintessential hard bop quintet session. Known for his work with Charles Mingus, Parlan shines alongside George Tucker, Al Harewood, Grant Green, and Booker Ervin. The music swings with an effortless groove, showcasing Parlan's bluesy piano stylings and the band's tight interplay. Mastered from the original analogue master tapes by Kevin Gray, this reissue captures the warmth and vibrancy of the original recording. A must-have for any fan of hard bop and classic Blue Note sounds.

Review: Duke Pearson's 1964 gem Wahoo! is a shining showcase of his skills as a pianist, composer, and bandleader. Writing for a sextet, Pearson brought together an exceptional lineup featuring Donald Byrd on trumpet, James Spaulding on alto sax, Joe Henderson on tenor, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Mickey Roker on drums. The result is a set of evocative originals, like the tender 'Amanda', the mysterious 'Bedouin', and the hard-hitting 'ESP (Extrasensory Perception)'. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition does justice to Pearson's work, offering an all-analog, stereo mix mastered by Kevin Gray from the original tapes. Pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal, it's got everything an audiophile could hope for. Whether it's the energetic swing of 'Fly Little Bird Fly' or the deeper hues of 'Farewell Machelle', every track radiates Pearson's unmistakable touch, balancing sophistication with soul.

Review: A refined and understated session, this reissue is a masterful example of West Coast jazz, offering a smooth, mellow and introspective listening experience. Recorded between december 1956 and January 1957 in Hollywood, California, this album showed Pepper's signature melodic alto saxophone over a relaxed and fluid quartet setting. The lineup features Russ Freeman on piano, Ben Tucker on bass and Chuck Flores on drums, each contributing to the album's effortlessly cool and unfailingly swinging atmosphere. Unlike the high-energy performances found on Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Modern Art unfolds at a more leisurely pace, making it a perfect soundtrack for a laid-back evening. The album's bookends, 'Blues In' and 'Blues Out', frame a collection of beautifully arranged pieces, including exquisite renditions of 'Bewitched', 'Stompin' at the Savoy' and 'What Is This Thing Called Love'. One of the true highlights is 'Summertime', a performance filled with emotional depth and intensity, as though Pepper poured his very soul into each note. This Blue Note Tone Poet reissue, produced by Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analogue tapes, is an essential edition. Pressed with impeccable sound quality, this release does full justice to Pepper's warm, lyrical tone. Whether you're just beginning your jazz journey or a seasoned listener, Modern Art is the type of album that continues to reveal its brilliance with every spin. If you're new to jazz, this album might just make you a fan of the West Coast sound.

Review: Ella Fitzgerald has a spotless discography that is packed with many a classic tunes but for plenty of fans and critics alike, Let No Man Write My Epitaph is one of her ultimate standouts. She recorded the album back in 1960 with backing from the pianist Paul Smith. The album takes its name from the movie in which Fitzgerald starred and hits some truly rare depth of emotional understanding. It helped secure Ella's status as one of the finest translators of the Great American Songbook and now Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series transfers the originals from analog tapes and has remastered them on to 180-gram vinyl complete with deluxe gatefold packaging.

Review: Bebop piano genius Bud Powell made his most enduring recordings as a leader for Blue Note, and was a catalyst for moving the label from the hot jazz on which it was founded, into the modern music made by Powell, Thelonious Monk, Fats Navarro, and others. Powell's 1949 and 1951 quintet & trio sessions were first released in 1952, in the form of the 10" LP The Amazing Bud Powell, and later expanded as The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1, when Blue Note moved to the 12" LP and launched the 1500 series in 1955. The quintet date featured the pianist with the likes of trumpeter Fats Navarro, tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, bassist Tommy Potter, and drummer Roy Haynes performing Powell originals such as 'Dance of the Infidels,' 'Wail,' and 'Bouncing with Bud.' The trio date featured bassist Curly Russell and drummer Max Roach joining Powell on the jaunty classic 'Un Poco Loco,' presented here in three evolving takes, along with timeless versions of Powell's 'Parisian Thoroughfare' and Dizzy Gillespie's 'A Night In Tunisia,' as well as showstopping solo piano performance of 'It Could Happen To You.'