From Music Matters impressive 45rpm Reissue Series, one of the best Blue Note titles and memorable Curtis Fuller session recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. Audiophile mastering from Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech on 2LP 45rpm 180 gram vinyl pressed at RTI and presented in a luxurious gatefold cover with stunning high resolution session photos.

• Limited Edition
• Numbered Edition
• Only 1000 numbered Units available Worldwide
• Remastered from the Original Rudy Van Gelder Blue Note Master Tapes
• Remastered by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at AcousTech
• Double LP Cut at 45rpm for ultimate dynamics
• 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl pressed at RTI USA
• Ultra-Durable Extra Thick Album Covers
• Gatefold Cover with Session Photos in stunning High Resolution

When bebop took over from swing, it was feared that the trombone was on its way to becoming a minor instrument. Few other than J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding could figure out how to play the potentially-awkward trombone at the rapid speeds favored by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. However Curtis Fuller, who emerged in the mid-1950s, developed a style inspired by J.J. Johnson that became an influential force and helped to save the instrument.

By the time he recorded The Opener in 1957, Fuller was the definitive hard bop trombonist, a position that he would own after spending several years in the 1960s as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. For his debut Blue Note album, Fuller digs into three standards, two originals and "Oscalypso" (a calypso by Oscar Pettiford), showing that the trombone has an important role in modern jazz, at least by those who could play on this level. His warmth, swing and consistently colorful ideas make The Opener one of Curtis Fuller's most exciting and memorable.

Like all Music Matters Jazz releases, this audiophile vinyl reissue is mastered from the original analog tape and pressed on 180g virgin vinyl at RTI in Camarillo, CA. The highest quality gatefold cover features original session photography on the inside.

Musicians:

Curtis Fuller, trombone
Hank Mobley, tenor sax
Bobby Timmons, piano
Paul Chambers, bass
Art Taylor, drums

Track Listing:

1. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
2. Hugore
3. Oscalypso
4. Here's To My Lady
5. Lizzy's Bounce
6. Soon

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫