Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series) 180g LP

1964 was one of the most momentous years in the musical life of Wayne Shorter. Early in the year the saxophonist was still a member of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, appearing on classic Blue Note albums like Free For All and Indestructible. Shorter made his own auspicious label debut that spring with Night Dreamer and quickly recorded the impressive follow-up JuJu. That summer he joined the Miles Davis Quintet, cementing a line-up that would become one of the seminal bands in jazz history. And when Shorter entered Van Gelder Studio with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Elvin Jones on Christmas Eve 1964 they created a masterpiece with Speak No Evil, a transcendent set of six Shorter originals including the swinging title track, "Witch Hunt," and sublime ballad "Infant Eyes."

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Blue Note is proud to present the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, a continuation of their acclaimed Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series which was launched in celebration of their 80th anniversary in 2019. The Classic Series will once again feature all-analog 180g vinyl pressings in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal in Germany.

In a review of the BN80 Vinyl Edition of Dexter Gordon's Doin' Allright, Analog Planet wrote "this reissue is a success for Blue Note in terms of quality at a great price point, and I look forward to the rest of this excellent and affordable series." In selecting the BN80 Vinyl Edition of Herbie Hancock's Takin' Off as their Recording of the Month, Stereophile awarded the sonics of the pressing 4½ stars writing "The sound of this reissue is strong and articulate, with balance and clarity from all the instruments."

The first 16 titles of the Classic Series will focus on the enduring classics of the Blue Note catalog, kicking off on December 4 with the release of two masterpieces - pianist McCoy Tyner's The Real McCoy and trumpeter Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder - both of which are available for pre-order now. The Classic Series will be on-going, running alongside the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series which is produced by Joe Harley.