Natural Essence

Tyrone Washington’s 1967 debut Natural Essence introduced a vital new voice in jazz whose unique conception could move between exploratory post-bop to groove-based soul jazz while channeling the charged intensity of the avant-garde. Having emerged from Horace Silver’s Quintet, the tenor saxophonist offered his own calling card on this evocative set of six original compositions. Washington had made his first Blue Note appearance the year prior on Silver’s groovy date The Jody Grind as part of a horn section that also included trumpeter Woody Shaw and alto saxophonist James Spaulding. Washington would assemble the same frontline for his own leader date along with a versatile rhythm section of pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Joe Chambers. Highlights of the album include the sinuous title track, the plaintive ballad “Yearning For Love,” the propulsive hard-driving swing of “Positive Path,” and the irrepressible groove of “Soul Dance.”Blue Note Tone Poet SeriesThe Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was’ admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the “Tone Poet,” on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.