Two legendary record labels have joined forces to release an album of
classic jazz songs featuring an array of South London artists.
Blue Note Re:imagined, to be released by Decca Records and Blue Note
on October 2, is a new collection of classic Blue Note tracks brought
together for the first time, reworked and re-recorded by a selection of
the jazz scene’s most exciting young talents today.
Representing a bridge between the ground-breaking label’s past and
future, the project will feature contributions from a roll call of
internationally acclaimed jazz, soul and R&B acts from South London
including Shabaka Hutchings, Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Steam Down
and Poppy Ajudha.
Blue Note, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019, boasts an
illustrious catalogue that traces the entire history of jazz and the
Re:imagined project features music originally created by some of its
most legendary artists.
Ezra Collective, a five-piece jazz band, said: “For us, Blue Note
encapsulates everything that jazz is. Everchanging, ever-moving with
times and always swinging. Across the decades it’s been a constant
source of inspiration, so to contribute to that is a dream come true.
“Footprints was a song we learnt as teenagers, and a song we’ve
haven’t left alone since. It felt the perfect opportunity to pay homage
to a hero of ours, Wayne Shorter, as well as document the journey we’ve
made as a band since then.”
The new jazz scene has enjoyed mainstream recognition over the last
few years after crossing over with various other genres including grime,
trap, afrobeat and hip-hop, Blue Note says this album reflects this
melting pot of diversity and shines a light on an energetic,
free-flowing movement that continues to flourish.
Blue Note president Don Was said: “The music of Blue Note Records
owes its enduring relevance to the fact that throughout its 81-year
history the artists on the label consistently pushed the envelope of
contemporary music.
“Blue Note Re:imagined continues that tradition by viewing the
label’s legacy through the lens of the UK scene’s most inventive young
artists.”
from https://londonnewsonline.co.uk