Blakey, Art: Buhaina's Delight (Blue Note 80) LP

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 line-up of drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers shifted in 1961 with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard replacing Lee Morgan, pianist Cedar Walton replacing Bobby Timmons, and the addition of Curtis Fuller on trombone who joined existing members Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone and Jymie Merritt on bass. This powerful new sextet line-up first recorded on the album Mosaic, and quickly returned to the studio the next month to begin recording Buhaina's Delight. The album featured three compositions by Shorter ("Backstage Sally" "Contemplation" "Reincarnation Blues") along with one each by Fuller ("Bu's Delight") and Walton ("Shaky Jake"), closing with an high-intensity arrangement of "Moon River."

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