Blue Note Records Releases Their First SACDs

26-Jun-03

Blue Note Records, the venerated jazz imprint founded in 1939, will release the first SACD editions of five jazz CDs on June 10, 2003. Blue Note is a division of Capitol Records, Inc.The titles are:John Coltrane ñ Blue TrainColtraneís only recording as a leader for Blue Note is a masterpiece of the saxophonistís art. Recorded in 1957 it features Coltrane on tenor sax, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder, who recorded the original session, oversaw the transfer to SACD. Two alternate tracks, which were not on the original LP, are included here.Norah Jones ñ Come Away With MeMs. Jonesí new disc, recipient of eight Grammy awards, can now be heard in a 5.1 SACD version. The transfer was overseen by producer Arif Marden and engineer Jay Newland who both also earned Grammies for their work on the disc. The intimate soft-spoken charm of Norah, which has beguiled over 13 million buyers worldwide, now sounds even more vivid and engaging.Dianne Reeves ñ The CallingThe Calling, a tribute to Sarah Vaughan, features a full orchestra backing her usual quartet of Billy Childs on piano. Romero Lubambo on guitar, Reginald Veal on bass and Gregory Hutchinson on drums. The lush string arrangements and soaring lead vocals were originally produced by George Duke. The 5.1 SACD remix was done by Erik Zobler.Bill Charlap ñ StardustPianist Bill Charlapís tribute to the music of Hoagy Carmichael features his acclaimed working trio of Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. This exquisitely swinging session also has guest appearances by singers Tony Bennett and Shirley Horn, guitarist Jim Hall and ex-Basie saxophonist Frank Wess. The 5.1 surround sound mix was done by Joel Moss, producer of the session.Bob Belden ñ Black DahliaSaxophonist/composer/arranger Bob Belden created this masterpiece of noir writing in 2001. It was conceived and recorded for 5.1 in SACD sound at Sony Studios in New York. Based on a famous unsolved murder, Black Dahlia captures the swirling excitement and ultimate tragedy of a life gone wrong in post-WWII Los Angeles.