In April, Blue Note Records announced the launch of a new series, Blue Note Essentials, which aims to introduce classic albums to new fans of the genre. A new batch of titles from the series has been announced, including Eric Dolphy’s Out To Lunch, Grant Green’s Idle Moments, Kenny Burrell’s Midnight Blue, Wayne Shorter’s Speak No Evil, John Coltrane’s Blue Train, and Cannonball Adderley’s Somethin’ Else.

For Out To Lunch, Eric Dolphy assembled a formidable quintet of modern jazz visionaries with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, Richard Davis on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. The album’s five original pieces capture his originality, from the offbeat swagger of the opening Monk tribute “Hat and Beard” to the careening closer “Straight Up and Down.”

Midnight Blue was the culmination of a series of albums guitarist Kenny Burrell made after debuting on Blue Note Records in 1956. Recorded in 1963, the album waded deep into the blues with a soulful cast including tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, Jr., drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on congas. Burrell originals include “Chitlins con Carne,” “Midnight Blue,” “Saturday Night Blues,” and the solo guitar piece “Soul Lament.”

Blue Train was recorded on September 15, 1957, when John Coltrane went into Rudy Van Gelder’s living room studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. It would be the legendary saxophonist’s sole album as a leader for Blue Note, featuring a dynamic 6-piece band with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums.

Each Essentials title will be affordably priced and are mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140gm vinyl.

Shop Blue Note’s Essentials Series here.