About

After releasing two astonishing albums of original material with his remarkable debut Fuchsia Swing Song (1964) and the follow-up Contours (1965), multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers went another direction on his third Blue Note album A New Conception (1966) by presenting a set of standards that were given riveting interpretations with a quartet featuring Hal Galper on piano, Herbert Lewis on bass, and Steve Ellington on drums. Despite the well-worn repertoire—including the chestnuts “When I Fall In Love,” “I’ll Never Smile Again,” “Detour Ahead,” and “Secret Love”—Rivers’ striking originality is utterly apparent in each of these seven performances on which he’s heard on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and flute. — (via Label)

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The title of A New Conception refers to Sam Rivers' ingenious interpretations of standards on this record. Rivers treats the songs - such familiar items as "When I Fall in Love," "I'll Never Smile Again," "That's All," "What a Difference a Day Makes," and "Secret Love" - with respect, but he doesn't treat them as museum pieces. He knows that if the songs are to remain fresh, they need to be heard in different ways, and he skillfully opens up each composition to contemporary avant-garde techniques.

Rivers and his supporting trio of pianist Hal Galper, bassist Herbert Lewis, and drummer Steve Ellington gradually ease each number into more adventurous territory, slowly shifting into exploratory instrumental sections, slyly varying the melodic themes, or adding shaded dissonant textures. It's challenging music that remains accessible, since it reconfigures familiar items in new, intriguing ways. The sheer skill in Rivers' arrangements once again confirms his large, unfortunately underappreciated, talent. — (via Stephen Thomas Erlewine // AllMusic)

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Although he's been a victim of those stylistic ins and outs since he first hit the national scene as a member of the Miles Davis quintet in the mid-'60s, multi- instrumentalist Sam Rivers seems to be enjoying a renewed popularity thanks in part to his 1999 Grammy-nominated RCA release Inspiration. His first recording for a major label in some time, it will be followed-up by a second collection of his works, Culmination, due sometime in May. Residing now in Florida, Rivers still remains the visionary eccentric whose 50-plus-year career contains many wonderful artifacts, not the least of which being his classic Blue Note sides.

That ability to stay artistic and still communicate with the audience is what makes A New Conception such a pithy example of what Rivers is all about. With tenor, soprano sax, and flute in hand, he performs a resourceful set of standards and leaves a new stamp on them without altering their original intent dramatically. — (via All About Jazz)

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In Rivers uncompromising approach to new directions, he re-imagines seven standards with an avant-twist.

Rivers is fiery and playful, but the arrangements are the key. As the tunes are familiar, the listener’s attention is caught by the deviations from the familiar, sly references to the tune rather than the straight tune itself. The familiar evolves into an avant form, or an avant and fairly free romp coalesces into its familiar form,  dips in and out, with Monk-like dissonances, or just free-blowing ideas as passing clouds.

It is a great idea, one foot in the past, one foot in the future, hybrid jazz. — (via London Jazz Collector)

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About the Blue Note Tone Poet Series:

The 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.

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 When I Fall In Love
A2 I'll Never Smile Again
A3 Detour Ahead
A4 That's All
B1 What A Difference A Day Makes
B2 Temptation
B3 Secret Love

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Label: Blue Note
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold, 180 Gram
Reissued: 2025 / Originally Released: 1966
Genre: Jazz
Style: Free Jazz, Post Bop

File under: Blue Note Tone Poet
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