The renowned jazz label Blue Note is continuing with its vinyl reissue series with two classics – Kenny Dorham’s Whistle Stop and Donald Byrd’s The Cat Walk. Trumpeter Dorham originally released Whistle Stop back in 1961, with the reissue date set for May 15, 2026. Donald Byrd, another legendary trumpeter, also released his Cat Walk album in 1961, and the reissue also has a release date of May 15, 2926.
Whistle Stop is a set of Dorham originals performed by a top-shelf hard bop quintet, featuring Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Side A is composed of “Philly Twist,” “Buffalo,” and “Sunset,” while Side B features title track “Whistle Stop,” “Sunrise In Mexico,” “Windmill,” and “Dorham’s Epitaph.”
On the other hand, Byrd’s hard bop classic was recorded with his quintet, featuring Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Duke Pearson on piano, Laymon Jackson on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The record’s six tracks are original compositions from Byrd and Pearson. Side A features “Say You’re Mine,” “Duke’s Mixture,” and “Each Time I Think Of You.” Side B includes title track “The Cat Walk,” “Cute,” and album closer “Hello Bright Sunflower.”
Both albums are a part of Blue Note’s long-running Classic Vinyl series, and both have been mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
