Grant Green‘s Blue Note output was prolific through the early-’60s producing more than 20 hard bop and soul jazz sessions as a leader for the label between 1961-1965. By the time the guitarist returned to the label in 1969 his musical style had evolved to embrace jazz-funk and R&B as heard on his albumsCarryin’ OnandGreen Is Beautiful. After two searing live recording datesAlive!andLive at Club MozambiqueGreen returned to Van Gelder Studio in 1971 to recordVisions. Joining the guitarist wereBilly Wootenon vibes,Emmanuel Rigginson electric piano,Chuck Raineyon electric bass,Idris Muhammadon drums, and percussionistsRay ArmandoandHarold Caldwell. Green’s distinctive tone and melodicism elevate this varied program which includes interpretations of radio hits by Chicago (“Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”), The Carpenters (“We’ve Only Just Begun”), and the Jackson 5 (“Never Can Say Goodbye”), as well as a surprising reinvention of Mozart’sSymphony No. 40 in G Minor. Other highlights of the set include the jazz-funk workout “Cantaloupe Woman” and an achingly beautiful rendition of Quincy Jones’ “Maybe Tomorrow,” which was later sampled on Kendrick Lamar’s 2012 track “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” fromGood Kid, m.A.A.d City.

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

Format / LP
Released /12/13/2024
Catalogue / BLUN-162223
Barcode / 602465148619
Artist /Grant Green
Label /Blue Note Records
Genre /Jazz