Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman; Blue Note Live, Part 2 Themed Installment Presented on 180g Vinyl 2LP

In honor of Blue Note Records’ 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label’s history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in December 2019 with Part 2 of the Blue Note Live theme  – Jimmy Smith – Groovin’ At Smalls’ Paradise (1958), Lonnie Smith – Live at Club Mozambique (1995) and Lee Konitz – Alone Together (1997) – and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year.

After releasing his debut album Finger Lickin’ Good for Columbia, organist Lonnie Smith joined Lou Donaldson’s band and made his first Blue Note appearance on the saxophonist’s hit 1967 album Alligator Boogaloo. Two more Donaldson dates followed (Mr. Shing-A-Ling and Midnight Creeper) before Smith was offered his own Blue Note deal, making his label debut with Think! in 1968. Smith went on to record another four Blue Note albums over the next two years (Turning Point, Move Your Hand, Drives and Live at Club Mozambique) all of which are regarded as soul-jazz classics. Recorded in Detroit, MI in May 1970 but not released until 1995, the relaxed and funky Live at Club Mozambique features an ever tasteful George Benson on guitar and finds Smith in full command with a strong set dominated by six of his own originals.

This Blue Note 80 Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g double vinyl at Optimal.

Musicians:
Lonnie Smith, organ
George Benson, guitar
Dave Hubbard, tenor saxophone
Ronnie Cuber, baritone saxophone
Joe Dukes, drums
Gary Jones Congas
Clifford Mack, tambourine

Features:
• Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series
• 180g vinyl 2LP
• Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman
• Theme: Blue Note Live (Part 2)
• All-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes
• Pressed at Optimal
• Standard packaging