In case you haven’t noticed, Blue Note Records has been killing it over the last couple of years with the “Tone Poet” series of classic and contemporary jazz reissues. The all-analogue, Joe Harley curated, Kevin Gray remastered series launched in 2019. Each release is mastered from the original master tapes, pressed on 180g audiophile vinyl at RTI and packaged in an old-style Stoughton “Tip-On” jacket.
Harley picks top sellers and underrated classics from the Blue Note catalogue and their umbrella labels, including Pacific Jazz and United Artists. New titles sell like hot-cakes, and can be gone within days if you don’t strike quick. This episode features a conversation with Joe and Kevin in the studio at Cohearent Audio. They discuss how new titles are selected, the challenges of using original master tapes, the mastering and production process, and more.
There may even be a slip of a title or two from the yet-to-be-announced 2022-23 line-up.
This episode was originally released June 3, 2021.
Where to Listen
Show Notes
For a running list of Blue Note Tone Poet Releases please visit https://store.bluenote.com/collections/tone-poets
On the Panel:
- Joe Harley – Blue Note Records Tone Poet Producer
- Kevin Gray – Mastering engineer and owner of Cohearent Audio
- Eric Pye – ecoustics contributing editor
- Jordan Pries – Owner of brick and mortar record store, The Electric Kitsch
- Mitch Anderson – eCoustics Producer
Credits:
- Original intro and outro music by The Arc of All.
- Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.
- Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.
Related Reading
- Blue Note Records Announce New 2021-2022 Tone Poet Series Vinyl Releases
- Blue Note, Tone Poetry and Audiophilia (bluenote.com)
