Baby Face Willette Face To Face LP 180 Gram Vinyl Kevin Gray Blue Note Tone Poet Series RTI 2019 USA
Title: Face To Face
Catalog Number: BST 84068 / B0029750-01
Label: Blue Note
Reissued by: Blue Note
Barcode: 602577434341
Edition: Blue Note Audiophile Vinyl
Original release year: 1961
Reissue year: 2019
Number of discs: 1
Revolutions per minute: 33⅓ rpm
Disc size: 12"
Vinyl Weight Grade: 180gr
Total Item Weight: 486gr
Pressing country: USA
For Market Release in: USA
Added to catalog on: August 11, 2019
Collection: Blue Note Tone Poet Series
Note: Never eligible for any further discounts
Vinyl Gourmet Club: Yes
Blue Note Records Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissues. Joe Harley co-founder of the acclaimed Music Matters Jazz audiophile vinyl label is the producer of this new series, handpicked titles mastered from the original master tapes on 180g Vinyl in deluxe covers. Mastering is done by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and vinyl is pressed at Record Technology Incorporated, RTI in the USA.
- Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series
- Blue Note 80th Anniversary
- All Analog Mastering
- Cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
- Mastered From Original Analog Master Tapes
- Reissue supervised by Joe Harley (Music Matters)
- 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Pressed at RTI USA
- Deluxe Gatefold Cover
The Blue Note Tone Poet Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley (from Music Matters), a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.
Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180-gram audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Blue Note/Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is it!
"Per Don Was's direction, everything about this reissue series closely mirrors the Music Matters releases that so impressed Was..." - Michael Fremer, Analogplanet
Hammond B-3 organ soul jazz fans know and love the music of Jimmy Smith, but lesser known is the tragically short life and career of Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette who produced some of the deepest grooves ever recorded on the B-3 on just two Blue Note albums recorded in 1961. Willette’s debut Face to Face is a showcase for his blues-drenched organ pyrotechnics. Joined by the brilliant guitarist Grant Green, tenor sax master Fred Jackson and the rock-solid drums of Ben Dixon, Face to Face is a tour de force of rough and ready soul jazz brilliance with an iconic Reid Miles cover design to match!
Nicknamed "Baby Face" on account of his fresh features and youthful visage, soul jazz organist Roosevelt Willette played his instrument with a sanctified fervour that reflected his roots in gospel music.
Releasing his debut album, Face To Face, in 1961, this son of a preacher rode in on the wave of aspiring jazz organists that proliferated in the wake of Jimmy Smith's breakthrough in the late 50s. Grant Green was happy to be a sideman on Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette's maiden session and he was joined by drummer Ben Dixon. To give the studio date a different flavor from Grant's First Stand, saxophonist Fred Jackson, noted for his raspy tone, was added to expand the group to a quartet.
As "Swingin' At Sugar Ray's" reveals, Willette attacked the keyboard with a percussive ferocity, even though his touch was exceptionally light and staccato-like. The evocative late-night blues of "Goin' Down" then gives way to the lone cover, a soul jazz deconstruction of "Whatever Lola Wants." The title tune is driven by a catchy, blues-based riff while the driving "Somethin' Strange" is another blues-drenched number played with great energy and enthusiasm. Earthy blues elements are also perceptible in vigorous closer, "High 'N Low." For fans of soulful organ jazz, Face To Face was a significant release because it introduced an exciting new Hammond B3 practitioner – one who had his own distinctive sound and brought a new dynamism to the genre.
Musicians:
Fred Jackson, tenor sax
Grant Green, guitar
"Baby Face" Willette, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Track Listing:
Side A
1. Swingin' At Sugar Ray's
2. Goin' Down
3. Whatever Lola Wants
Side B
1. Face To Face
2. Somethin' Strange
3. High 'n Low
Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫
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