From Music Matters impressive 33rpm Reissue Series, one of the best Blue Note titles and memorable Stanley Turrentine session recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. Audiophile mastering from Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio on 33rpm 180 gram virgin vinyl pressed at RTI and presented in a luxurious gatefold cover with stunning high resolution session photos.

• Limited Edition of Only 3500 Copies
• Cut from the Original Rudy Van Gelder Blue Note Master Tapes
• Remastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• 100% Analog Mastering and Cutting
• Pressed on 180 Gram Virgin vinyl at RTI USA
• Deluxe gatefold cover with high resolution session photos

Blue Hour has such a logical match up that it is very surprising that it did not happen again. Stanley Turrentine, the most soulful of all tenor-saxophonists, teams up with Gene Harris and the Three Sounds, one of the most swinging soul jazz trios, a group that was at the height of its popularity. The results are magical and timeless. At the time of this Dec. 16, 1960 recording, Stanley Turrentine was 26 and on the verge of stardom in the jazz world and beyond. In the 1950s he had worked with Lowell Fulson, Earl Bostic and other r&b bands. Most significant were his 1959-60 stint with Max Roach and his recordings with Jimmy Smith which helped lead to his signing with Blue Note. From the start, Turrentine’s fat tone, soulful style and ability to put a maximum amount of emotion into every single note made him instantly recognizable. Gene Harris was Turrentine’s equivalent on piano. His gutsy and bluesy style mixed together Oscar Peterson with Junior Mance.

He formed the Three Sounds with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy in 1956 and the group was such a hit that they recorded 12 albums for Blue Note during 1958-62 including four in 1960 alone. Blue Hour features the original “Blue Riff” plus four of the most beloved songs in blues and jazz history. No matter how many times one has heard such songs as “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You,” “Willow Weep For Me” and “Since I Fell For You,” these versions are still very special. Turrentine and Harris have similar approaches, being jazz masters who loved to play the blues. They constantly echo each other’s ideas and put such feeling into these vintage songs that they make every moment count. Stanley Turrentine and Gene Harris may have only teamed up this one time but Blue Hour is a classic that will be loved by anyone who is lucky enough to hear it.

Musicians:

Stanley Turrentine, tenor saxophone
Gene Harris, piano
Andrew Simpkins, bass
Bill Dowdy, drums

Track Listing:

1. I Want A Little Girl
2. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
3. Blue Riff
4. Since I Fell For You
5. Willow Weep For Me

Click here to listen to samples on AllMusic.com ♫