Craft Recordings has started 2024 with an impressive new lineup of jazz releases; including 12 new reissues in collaboration with Acoustic Sounds and Contemporary Records. The recently announced series is only a small sample of the records planned for release this year.
Will 2024 see a continuation of the Original Jazz Classics reissues that were a huge hit in 2023?
Jazz fans are spoiled to say the least.
The latest reissues include Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans’ Know What I Mean?, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers’ Caravan and Ron Carter’s Where?, all of which can be pre-ordered today.
These new reissues feature lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI and tip-on jackets, replicating the original artwork. All titles will also be released digitally in 192/24 hi-res audio. Original Jazz Classics was created in 1982 (under Fantasy Records) and relaunched in 2023.
Since its inception, the audiophile series has reissued 850+ jazz albums, drawing from its unmatched jazz catalog, which had grown to include thousands of acclaimed titles from Prestige, Galaxy, Milestone, Riverside, Debut, Contemporary, Jazzland and Pablo.
Craft Recordings will continue to expand on its Original Jazz Classics series this year, granting collectors the opportunity to add audiophile reissues of even more out-of-print titles to their vinyl collections.
Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans – Know What I Mean?
2024 kicks off with the reissue of Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans’ Know What I Mean? dropping on March 1. Adderley and Evans were famed for being part of the Miles Davis Sextet. But they also worked together on a series of albums, with Know What I Mean? from 1960 being their last and most meaningful collaboration. Cannonball—his nickname a twist on “cannibal,” a nod to his healthy appetite—was so compelling as an alto sax that many considered him the next Charlie Parker. Meanwhile, Davis once commented that Evans’ piano abilities were a “quiet fire . . . like crystal notes or sparkling water cascading down from some clear waterfall.”
Together, marveled AllMusic, their output on Know What I Mean? is nothing short of “marvelous,” adding, “It’s hard to imagine any fan of mainstream jazz not finding much to love.” (Not surprisingly, both are DownBeat Jazz Hall of Famers.) Critics have been hard-pressed to pick a standout here, but you won’t regret starting with the feather-light “Waltz for Debby” and the dexterous, upbeat Gershwin cover, “Who Cares?”
Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers – Caravan
Also releasing on March 1 is the long-awaited rerelease of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers’ Caravan. “Slick, fluid, professional . . . This is the kind of reissue that gives jazz a good name,” the BBC once gushed about this 1963 album. As a bandleader for four decades, Blakey was a drummer’s drummer, adored for his pioneering solos, many referencing African rhythms. The Pittsburgh native, recognized by the Smithsonian, would go on to mentor everyone from Lee Morgan to Wynton Marsalis.
Caravan opens with one such percussive drive in its title track (a Duke Ellington co-write) and spreads out from there to spectacular effect. Greedy listeners won’t regret bee-lining to the nuanced yet invigorating “This Is for Albert,” where Blakey’s drums entwine effortlessly with Cedar Walton’s keys. The song contrasts satisfyingly with the balladic, honeyed song that precedes it, “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” previously popularized by Frank Sinatra.
Ron Carter – Where?
Following on March 29 is a reissue of Ron Carter’s Where?, recorded in 1961. Carter’s discography is a sprawling one: The three-time GRAMMY® winner is famously the most recorded jazz bassist of all time. And for good reason. The Michigan native started out playing with Thelonious Monk, went on to join Herbie Hancock in the Miles Davis Quintet and was even sampled by A Tribe Called Quest on their seminal album The Low End Theory.
Where? is a collection of unpredictable, almost cerebral tracks, such as the explosive “Rally,” and in contrast, the twangy, minimal “Bass Duet.” (“Carter’s skill is undeniable,” notes AllMusic.) His work here with Eric Dolphy—his buddy from Chico Hamilton’s group—on sax, flute and clarinet delivers on cuts such as the sprightly, levitating “Saucer Eyes.” Where? is Carter’s debut album as a band leader and presages the visionary musician’s long and influential career.
Click here to pre-order these new titles, including a bundle featuring all three, or shop the complete OJC collection at craftrecordings.com.
ORT
January 19, 2024 at 5:22 pm
Ian –
Of the 12 reissues I am looking at getting the Helen Humes’ album “Songs I Like To Sing” and Sonny Rollins’ “Way Out West”.
Of these 3 choices I am leaning toward Ray Brown’s as he was married to a Goddess (Ella!) album but if you have a recommendation please let me know. Lately Shelly Manne’s 2 albums on the music of “My Fair Lady” are on my ‘table a least twice a week. The film is a favorite of mine (including “Pygmalion”!).
Jazz and Traditional Pop/Jazz Vocals are my favorites. I have all of Beverly Kenney’s albums on CD. Perhaps I should look into getting the records as I find myself choosing that format over CD a lot lately.
ORTheus (sans Pigmailion!)