About

Wayne Shorter’s formidable and prolific output in 1964 produced his first three Blue Note albums as a leader each of which would become instant classics upon their release: Night Dreamer, Juju, and Speak No Evil. That fact may explain why, as the saxophonist continued to churn out Blue Note sessions at a remarkably high level in 1965, the label’s release schedule couldn’t keep pace with Shorter’s creative burst, which resulted in his next two recordings—The Soothsayer and Etcetera—being shelved and not released until 1979 and 1980, respectively.

It was just two months after recording Speak No Evil that Shorter was back in Van Gelder Studio to record The Soothsayer with a sextet featuring trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, alto saxophonist James Spaulding, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. The album captured deeply engaged performances of five beguiling Shorter compositions including “Lost,” “Angola,” and the stunning ballad “Lady Day,” a tribute to Billie Holiday. The album concludes with Shorter’s arrangement of “Valse Triste” by the Finnish classical composer Jean Sibelius.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. — (via Label)

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Part of an explosion of solo albums Wayne Shorter recorded just after he joined Miles Davis' band, The Soothsayer wasn't released until the late '70s. Listening to the album, it is hard to believe because it ranks with the best of his works from this incredibly fertile period. Shorter has been called Davis' "idea man," and the creativity and thoughtfulness that earned him that moniker are quite evident here. The album's five originals and one arrangement (of Sibelius' Valse Triste) show a multi-layered complexity that seems effortless even as it weaves together contributions from a very strong, stylistic sextet. 

Of particular interest is the interplay of the three horn players, including altoist James Spaulding and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. As a performer, Shorter also shows a lot of strength, with fluid, at times subtly evocative, solos that bloom with energy without ever seeming frantic or harsh. The title track shows Shorter at his most forceful and is one of the most passionate moments on the album, but even here, beauty seems to come first, while his low-key standard "Lady Day" embodies grace and calmness in every moment. — (via AllMusic)

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Label: Blue Note Records
Series: Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180g
Reissued: 2025 / Original: 1979
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop, Post Bop, Modal

File under: Jazz // Blue Note Records    
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