Blue Notes roster of Hammond B3 organists was a vibrant and varied bunchthat ran thestylistic gamut from Jimmy Smiths virtuosic innovations to Larry Youngs horizon–expandingexplorations. Kansas City born dynamo Big John Patton operated in a soul jazz sweet spotthroughout his stellar 1960s Blue Note tenure always making sure each of his platters wasserved with a healthy helping of soul. Patton first appeared as a sideman on Lou DonaldsonsalbumsThe Natural SoulandGood Graciousand later cut his own Blue Note leader debut with1963sAlong Came John. Perhaps the most uniqueand certainly one of the finestalbums inhis discography isLetEm Roll, a fantastic 1965 session that found Patton altering the standardorgan trio line–up of guitar (Grant Green) and drums (Otis Finch) by adding vibraphonist Bobby
Hutcherson intothe mix (Green had used this same instrumentation to great effect on hisalbumStreet of Dreamsthe year prior). Highlights of the set include the Patton originalsLetEm RollandLatona,a tender performance of the Johnny Mandel balladThe Shadow ofYour Smile,and a spirited romp through Hank MobleysThe Turnaround.

The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Wasadmiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters.Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. theTone Poet,on board to curate and supervise a series ofreissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, fromthe 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 ofthese 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 RecordTechnology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip–on jacket.

Tracklist

A1. Let Em Roll
A2. Latona
A3. The Shadow Of Your Smile
B1. The Turnaround
B2. Jakey
B3. One Step Ahead