Lovano, Joe: I'm All For You: Ballad Songbook (Blue Note Classic) LP

Blue Note Records has announced the continuation of the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series which presents 180g vinyl LP reissues in standard packaging mastered by Kevin Gray and manufactured at Optimal. The pressings are all-analog whenever an analog source is available, with Gray mastering directly from the original master tapes. While the first 16 titles of the series focused on the best-known Blue Note classics from the 1950s and 60s, the new run of titles curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman broadens its scope to span the many eras and styles of the legendary label's eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems. Saxophonist Joe Lovano signed with Blue Note Records in 1990 and over the next 25 years became one of the most recorded artists in the label's history, building a formidable catalog that explored the full breadth of his artistry. Lovano's sublime 2003 album I'm All For You: Ballad Songbook stands as one of his finest efforts, a stunning collection that found the saxophonist wrapping his warm sound around nine timeless melodies including "Stella By Starlight," "I Waited For You," "Like Someone In Love," "Monk's Mood," and the ravishing title track based on the changes for "Body and Soul." This elegant and endlessly listenable set also introduced Lovano's marvelous Classic Quartet with the legendary pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Paul Motian, who would go on to record the equally enjoyable follow-up Joyous Encounter the next year.