Serge Chaloff’s iconic 1956 album, Blue Serge, is set to receive a reissue courtesy of Blue Note’s legendary Tone Poet series. The new edition will arrive on June 6.
A little-known baritone saxophonist who possessed remarkable agility and lyricism, Serge Chaloff made his defining album with 1956’s Blue Serge, his second recording for Capitol.
Joined by pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, the quartet simmers on a laid-back set of standards. This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Scott Yanow offered a laudatory review for AllMusic, writing of the album: “Baritonist Serge Chaloff’s final recording as a leader is his best. Blue Serge is a quartet outing with pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Philly Joe Jones. Chaloff had already contracted the spinal paralysis that would kill him a year later but there is no hint of any weakness on this date. Whether it be ‘The Goof and I,’ ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’ or a beautiful rendition of ‘Stairway to the Stars,’ this recording features Serge Chaloff at his best.”
It has been an exciting year for the Tone Poet series from Blue Note. Leo Parker’s seminal Rollin’ With Leo album, recorded in 1961 but released in 1980, was announced last month and will be released on May 2.
Parker was the first bebop baritone saxophone player and an integral member of Billy Eckstine’s Unholy Four saxophone section with Dexter Gordon in the mid-40s.
Sidelined in the 50s due to personal troubles, Parker made an all-too-brief brief comeback in 1961. He recorded two Blue Note records—Rollin’ With Leo and Let Me Tell You ‘Bout It—just months before he died of a heart attack at the age of 36.
Order Serge Chaloff’s Blue Serge on vinyl now.
Serge Chaloff’s Blue Serge Tracklist:
A1 A Handful Of Stars
A2 The Goof And I
A3 Thanks For The Memory
A4 All The Things You Are
B1 I’ve Got The World On A String
B2 Susie’s Blues
B3 Stairway To The Stars
