This double CD explores the breadth of work by Blue Note’s past and present greats
Blue Note’s music conjures up images of acoustic jazz outfits playing bebop. This compilation is, however, a reminder that the label has always strived to remain relevant as tastes change.
To underline this point, Robert Glasper — a pianist who straddles the worlds of hip hop and jazz — appears on the first disc. His influence extends beyond jazz circles. Jazz-funk pioneers, the Mizell Brothers, have been equally influential since the ’70s. On this compilation, they produced classic tracks by Donald Byrd and Bobbi Humphrey.
Alongside the straight-ahead jazz of, among others, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock, there’s disco (Minnie Riperton), modern fusion (John Scofield) and nu jazz (St Germain). It all serves to show that the Blue Note sound spans many shades and tones.
Jazz FM