Under the stewardship of Don Was, legendary jazz label Blue Note Records is flourishing. Not only do they protect, preserve and showcase their impeccable back catalogue, but they also have some astonishing contemporary artists on their roster like Ambrose Akinmusire, Immanuel Wilkins and Kandace Springs. But more than that, they do an incredible job of fusing the past and present together to forge a future for jazz that seems brighter by the day.
In 2020, Blue Note Re:Imagined gave up-and-coming British artists such as Emma Jean Thackray, Nubya Garcia and Alfa Mist a chance to take classic tracks from Blue Note’s past and rework them according to their contemporary UK sensibilities. A follow-up volume, Blue Note Re:Imagined II is scheduled for release on September 30th and the first single is Ego Ella May’s take on Chico Hamilton’s “The Morning Side Of Love” from the revered percussionist’s 1975 Peregrinations LP.
It’s a match made in heaven, as the redoubtable UK singer oozes class in reworking the sublime creation of the visionary drummer’s laid-back groove. Chosen by May because the song “feels like sunshine,” it is certainly an inspired combination that results in a perfect slice of summertime bliss. Further singles will be released in the coming weeks, and if they’re all as wonderful as this, then Blue Note will have another winner on their hands.
The tracklisting for Blue Note Re:Imagined II is:
Yazz Ahmed “It” | From Chick Corea’s Is (1969)
Conor Albert “You Make Me Feel So Good” | From Bobbi Humphrey’s Fancy Dancer (1975)
Parthenope “Don’t Know Why” | From Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me (2002)
Swindle “Miss Kane” | From Donald Byrd’s Street Lady (1973)
Nubiyan Twist “Through The Noise (Chant No.2)” | From Donald Byrd’s A New Perspective (1963)
Ego Ella May “The Morning Side Of Love” | From Chico Hamilton’s Peregrinations (1975)
Oscar Jerome & Oscar #Worldpeace “(Why You So) Green With Envy” | From Grant Green’s Green Street (1961)
Daniel Casimir ft. Ria Moran “Lost” | From Wayne Shorter’s The Soothsayer (1965)
Theon Cross “Epistrophy” | From Thelonious Monk’s Genius Of Modern Music, Vol. 1 (1948)
Maya Delilah “Harvest Moon” | From Cassandra Wilson’s New Moon Daughter (1995)
Kay Young “Feel Like Making Love” | From Marlena Shaw’s Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? (1974)
Venna & Marco Bernardis “Where Are We Going” | From Donald Byrd’s Black Byrd (1972)
Reuben James “Infant Eyes” | From Wayne Shorter’s Speak No Evil (1964)
Binker Golding “Fort Worth” | From Joe Lovano’s From The Soul (1991)
Cherise “Sunrise” | From Norah Jones’ Feels Like Home (2004)
Franc Moody “Cristo Redentor” | From Donald Byrd’s A New Perspective (1963)
PRE-ORDER Blue Note Re:Imagined II via Blue Note Records
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