BLUE NOTE CD TOCJ-6544: LOU DONALDSON – Lou Takes Off – 2005 JAPAN OBI OOP NEW

**** Welcome to our listing, thanks very much for looking! Lou Takes Off is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson’s Sextet with Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Sonny Clark, Jamil Nasser, and Art Taylor. The album was awarded 4½ stars by Lee Bloom in an Allmusic review which stated “This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis… Overall, Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing. According to Donaldson, Blue Note initially didn’t like any of the album, “the conga drums or the new musicians.” The influence of Charlie Parker can be heard in virtually every modern jazz musician, particularly players of the alto saxophone. Although considered to be one of “Bird’s children,” Lou Donaldson absorbed and synthesized other pre-Parker influences, such as Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter. This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis. Three up-tempo tunes are pure bebop; the remaining number is a medium blues in B flat, quite characteristic of the hard bop period. The front line on this set includes Donald Byrd and Curtis Fuller; the rhythm section is Sonny Clark, George Joyner, and Art Taylor. Overall, Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing. ~ Lee Bloom 24-bit digitally remastered Japanese release. Producer: Alfred Lion. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on December 15, 1957. Originally released on Blue Note (1591). Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Rudy Van Gelder (Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey). This is part of the Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder Editions series, remastered Japanese edition celebrating Blue Note Records’ 65th anniversary. This listing is for a very rare, long out of print CD title – a BRAND NEW, NEVER PLAYED CD PRESSED and ISSUED by BLUE NOTE / EMI / TOSHIBA in JAPAN, of a highly collectible title, featuring – Lou Donaldson Performers Include – Lou Donaldson – alto saxophone Donald Byrd – trumpet Curtis Fuller – trombone Sonny Clark – piano George Joyner, Jamil Nasser – bass Art Taylor – drums CD Title – Lou Takes Off Track Listing – All compositions by Lou Donaldson except as indicated 1. “Sputnik” – 10:05 2. “Dewey Square” (Charlie Parker) – 7:16 3. “Strollin’ In” – 14:34 4. “Groovin’ High” (Dizzy Gillespie) – 6:22 The JAPAN made CD is from the rare series of out of print, audiophile Blue Note / EMI / Toshiba CDs . CD catalog # TOCJ-6544 CD issued in 2005 CD made in Japan CD comes in a Plastic Jewel Case with OBI paper strip – has a resealable plastic sleeve that first over the jewel case. CD digitally remastered using 24-Bit digital technology The CD, Jewel Case and Inserts are all assumed to be in MINT overall condition as this JAPANESE pressed CD is actually BRAND NEW and NEVER PLAYED! This CD is an audiophile quality pressing (any collector of fine MFSL, half speeds, direct to discs, Japanese/UK pressings etc., can attest to the difference a quality pressing can make to an audio system). Do not let this rarity slip by!