The Rajah - 2021 US Blue Note Tone Poet Series Audiophile 180 gram Vinyl 6-track LP Reissue

This sleek and beautifully paced Lee Morgan album was recorded in 1966 but shelved for unknown reasons.... and  then  discovered in the Blue Note vaults by Michael Cuscuna in 1984. In addition to the trumpeter, the quintet here features a superb line-up with Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Cedar Walton on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, all playing at the top of their game. Highlights include the Duke Pearson gem “Is That So” and the enticing title track penned by Morgan..

Mastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and subsequently pressed onto 180 gram by Record Technology Inc - presented in a Stoughton Printing gatefold old-style tip-on jackets 

About the Blue Note Tone Poet Series:

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 gm 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.

Blue Note Records’ Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series is produced by Joe Harley and features all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI).

Tracklisting: 

Side 1:

1. A Pilgrim's Funny Farm (Calvin Massey) 13:34
2. The Rajah (Lee Morgan) 9:10

Side 2:
1. Is That So? (Columbus Calvin "Duke" Pearson Jr. ) 5:18
2. Davisamba (Miles Davis) 6:46
3. What Now, My Love? (Gilbert Bécaud) 5:22
4. Once in a Lifetime (Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley) 5:50

Recorded November 29, 1966, at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Laquer cutting and mastering at Cohearent Audio, LLC, 9245 Swinton Ave, North Hills, CA 91343
Pressed by Record Technology Inc., 486 Dawson Dr., Camarillo, CA 93012-8090
Cover printed by Stoughton Printing Co., 130 North Sunset Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744-3595

Credits:

Lee Morgan – trumpet
Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Billy Higgins – drums

Technical Credits:
Alfred Lion - Production
Rudy Van Gelder - Recording Engineer
KPG/Kevin Gray - Lacquer Cutting/Mastering 

Artwork:
Francis Wolff - Cover Photography 
Todd Gallopo - Cover Design
Ira Gitler - Liner Notes

Additional Credits:

Joe Harley - Overall Production Supervision