Wilson, Reuben: Love Bug (Blue Note Classic Series) 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.

Following his 1968 Blue Note debut On Broadway, Hammond B3 organist Reuben Wilson returned to Rudy Van Gelder's studio in March 1969 to record the follow-up Love Bug. This time out producer and Blue Note co-founder Francis Wolff put Wilson at the helm of a dynamic quintet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, and Leo Morris (later known as Idris Muhammad) on drums.

The result was one of the standout soul jazz dates of the late 60s, a funky six-song set that featured deep-grooved Wilson originals including "Hot Rod," Back Out," and the title track "Love Bug" alongside cover versions of some of the biggest R&B hits of the day like Gamble and Huff's "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations), Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "I Say A Little Prayer" (Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin), and Isaac Hayes and David Porter's "Hold On, I'm Comin'" (Sam & Dave).