Kenny Burrell – Guitar Forms: 2024 (AS Verve Vinyl LP)

Kenny Burrell’s Guitar Forms on 180g LP. Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the Original Analog Tapes, Pressed at QRP and Packaged in a Stoughton Printing Gatefold Old-Style Tip-On Jacket.

1966 Grammy nominee for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Large Group or Soloist with Large Group, and Best Album Cover – Photography.

A cornerstone of any jazz library. Kenny Burrell’s concept for this album was to demonstrate a variety of jazz guitar styles. And he does so, masterfully. Of particular interest “Moon and Sand” by Burrell and the Gil Evans Orchestra showcases an engaging guitar performance with a Latin combo.

AllMusic reviewer Richard Mortifoglio notes that although Burell is associated “mostly with Blue Note-based hard bop and soul-jazz (he had a hit with the funky ‘Chile con Carne’), he is also a musician of considerable artistry.

“There is no stinting on the blues here, either, as evidenced on ‘Downstairs’ and ‘Terrace Theme.’ But the highlights are the bossa nova version of Alec Wilder’s ‘Moon and Sand,’ as well as a characteristically slow and luxurious treatment of Harold Arlen’s ‘Last Night When We Were Young.’ Throughout, Burrell takes thoughtful, concise, and utterly musical solos, and even switches to acoustic classical guitar on ‘Prelude #2’ and ‘Loie.'”

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve’s vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets.

1. Downstairs
2. Lotus Land
3. Terrace Theme
4. Prelude #2 Excerpt
5. Moon and Sand
6. Loie
7. Greensleeves
8. Last Night When We Were Young
9. Breadwinner