Arguably Blue Note is the greatest Jazz label ever and was responsible for releasing so many classic albums over its 80+ year history. Its halcyon era was 1950’s/ 1960’s, when it pioneered Hard Bop. At various times, its roster included the likes of Art Blakey, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Horace Silver plus geniuses such as Miles Davis. The label recorded the first albums by a host of legends – for example, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard to name just a few. The label remained active in the Jazz Funk era and Donald Byrd’s 1973 album ‘Black Byrd’ was not only ground-breaking but was Blue Note’s biggest selling LP at that time.
Selecting 10 classic albums (100 would be hard enough) is a challenge, but this introductory selection is just a taster.
Check out the rest of the classic Blue Note reissues that we currently stock at this link
