Herbie Nichols – The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 1 & 2: Blue Note Classic Vinyl (180g Vinyl LP)

Herbie Nichols was one of the most highly original and under-recognized pianists and composers in jazz history. Blue Note founder Alfred Lion considered him to be every bit as unique and important as Thelonious Monk, another singular talent who Lion was the first to record just a few years before he signed Nichols in 1955. Little-known during his lifetime, recognition has begun to grow in recent years for Nichols’ incredibly hip, angular compositions like “The Third World,” “2300 Skidoo,” “Step Tempest,” and “Dance Line,” each of which were miniature marvels built with their own sturdy inner logic.

In May 1955, Nichols recorded two sessions with Al McKibbon on bass and Art Blakey on drums which were originally released as The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 1 and The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 2. The two 10″ LPs are combined here onto a single 12″ LP that’s presented in gatefold packaging with the two covers on the front and back with the liner notes on the inside.

Musicians:
Herbie Nichols, piano
Al McKibbon, bass
Art Blakey, drums

Features:
• Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series
• All analog 180g vinyl LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray directly from the original master tapes
• Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

1. The Third World
2. Step Tempest
3. Dance Line
4. Blue Chopsticks
5. Double Exposure
6. Cro-Magnon Nights
7. Amoeba’s Dance
8. Crisp Day
9. 2300 Skiddoo
10. It Didn’t Happen
11. Shuffle Montgomery
12. Brass Rings