About

• Individual title from The Bill Evans Riverside Recordings Box Set
• 180-gram 45 RPM double LP pressed at RTI
• Mastered by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering AAA analog from original master tapes

"These are, for the most part, extraordinary-sounding recordings, better than any you're likely to find. If you love the music, you should consider the purchase." — Fred Kaplan, Stereophile, Nov. 1, 2017

"Of everything Analogue Productions has reissued, few titles have sparked the accolades accorded our 45 RPM versions of Bill Evans titles from his Riverside catalog. Now, we're breaking the titles out from that terrific set for individual sale. These are the audiophile jazz fan's definitive releases for your collection."

In September 1956, a 27-year-old pianist named Bill Evans quietly recorded New Jazz Conceptions — his debut album, and a bold opening statement from a musician still flying under the radar. At the time, Evans wasn't yet the name whispered with reverence in every jazz circle; Miles Davis hadn't called him up yet, and most listeners had no idea what was coming. But listening now, you can hear the spark of genius that would soon reshape modern jazz piano.

Here, Evans' introspective touch, harmonic daring, and rhythmic sensitivity were already fully formed. Whether in his intricate trio interplay or the luminous solo passages, there's an unmistakable sense of discovery — of an artist thinking and feeling at the keyboard in real time. It's the kind of music, both cerebral and deeply human, that never loses its emotional pull.

For collectors, New Jazz Conceptions isn't just Evans' first step — it's the blueprint for everything that followed. You can trace the DNA of later masterpieces, the sound that inspired Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and generations beyond. This is Bill Evans before the legend-still refining, still exploring — but already unmistakably himself. — (via Label)

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The first album by any given artist is not likely to be their best, for obvious reasons: most are still developing a style and honing their craft. This 1956 session, Bill Evans’ first as a leader, is no different. The introverted pianist had to be virtually forced into recording as a leader, but these early explorations launched one of the most acclaimed and influential careers in the history of jazz. However, these are, at heart, exactly that: early explorations. Even at this stage he had the chops to make this a good piano jazz album, but in the end it’s not a very good Bill Evans album.

With the benefit of hindsight, we know Evans would quickly perfect his elegant, introverted style on later releases, but this session seems slightly derivative of the musicians that influenced him, particularly Bud Powell. The trio comes roaring out of the gate with “I Love You,” a forceful performance that echoes the attack of the bop pianists Evans grew up listening to.

Those who have those classics already will most likely be satisfied but not overly impressed with Evans’ first record. However, they won’t be surprised to find that Evans was already ahead of most of his peers, even at this early stage. — (via All About Jazz)

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 I Love You
A2 Five
A3 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
B1  Conception
B2 Easy Living
B3 Displacement
C1 Speak Low
C2 Waltz For Debby
C3 Our Delight
D1 My Romance
D2 No Cover, No Minimum

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Label: Analogue Productions / Riverside Records
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2025 / Originally Released: 1957
Genre: Jazz
Style: Post Bop, Modal

File under: Jazz - Bill Evans
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