Blue Note EVP-602435799087 Midnight Blue vinyl album by Kenny Burrell

For listeners seeking a blues-led jazz album on vinyl, Kenny Burrell’s Midnight Blue brings together soulful guitar playing and a late-night ensemble sound. Recorded in 1963, it features tenor saxophone, bass, drums and congas alongside Burrell’s guitar, giving the music a richer group setting than a solo guitar record.

If you want a focused, intimate guitar listen, the album also includes a solo performance. For a fuller jazz session, its ensemble tracks bring the other players into the picture.

Pros

Burrell’s originals give the album a clear musical identity: “Chitlins Con Carne”, “Midnight Blue” and “Saturday Night Blues” set out its blues-influenced character, while “Soul Lament” offers a change of pace as a solo guitar piece. The line-up adds tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, Jr., drummer Bill English and conga player Ray Barretto, creating a varied listen within one album.

Buyer feedback often praises the performances and sound, with some listeners also highlighting the mastering. Opinions on pressing quality and surface noise vary, so the listening experience can differ between copies.

Quick overview

This is the vinyl edition of Midnight Blue, Kenny Burrell’s Blue Note album recorded in 1963. Its musical centre is blues, delivered through a soulful jazz ensemble and balanced by the more exposed guitar of “Soul Lament”. That combination makes it suited to listeners who want both group interplay and a quieter, more individual moment on the same record.

The track titles offer a useful guide to its mood: “Chitlins Con Carne” and “Saturday Night Blues” point towards the blues material, while “Midnight Blue” captures the album’s defining atmosphere. The cover design is by Reid Miles, another distinctive part of this Blue Note release.

Tips for day-to-day use

Put it on when you want to give an album your attention rather than dip into a playlist: the ensemble passages reward listening to the musicians together, while “Soul Lament” shifts the focus to Burrell’s guitar alone. It also suits a relaxed evening session, when the record’s blues-centred, late-night feel fits the setting. If you are choosing between a solo guitar record and a fuller jazz line-up, this release brings both approaches into one listening session.

Practical questions

Who performs on the album? Kenny Burrell leads on guitar, joined by Stanley Turrentine on tenor saxophone, Major Holley, Jr. on bass, Bill English on drums and Ray Barretto on congas.

When was it recorded? Midnight Blue was recorded in 1963.

Which tracks are mentioned? The album includes Burrell originals “Chitlins Con Carne”, “Midnight Blue” and “Saturday Night Blues”, as well as the solo guitar piece “Soul Lament”.

When it makes sense

Choose Midnight Blue if you want blues-inflected jazz on vinyl with more than one listening texture: a soulful ensemble sound, a distinctive group of performers and a solo guitar feature. It is a particularly fitting pick for an evening listen or for exploring Kenny Burrell’s Blue Note work through one of his best-known albums.