Recorded in 1971, this beautiful Harold Land record produced by Bob Shad, is nothing but a Harold Land – Bobby Hutcherson Quintet album in disguise. The quintet recorded a handful of marvelous albums between 1967 and 1971 mainly under the Bobby Hutcherson name on Blue Note but they recorded one album on Chess and two for Mainstream. A New Shade of Blue recorded in Los Angeles where the quintet was based is one of their best albums and has never been reissued before except in Japan.
Featuring a superb line up comprising Buster Williams on Bass and Billy Hart on Drums – the rhythm section of Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi Sextet – the session is augmented by Bill Henderson on Piano and Fender Rhodes and Mtume on percussion.
Together they create a superb soundscape featuring the quintet’s trademark sound, both spiritual and serene, with Land’s unmistakable sax playing and Bobby Hutcherson modal touch. The highlight of the album is the long hypnotic track “Mtume”, a deep, slow burner displaying the group’s fantastic interplay. For the first time ever the album will be reunited with the beautiful 8 min outtake “Dark Mood” which was briefly issued in 1974 on a Mainstream compilation.
The release will also be crammed with unissued session photo taken by LA photographer Dick Sanders and will feature new liner notes by radio DJ and renowned digger Sam Barbatano (Sunday Jazz, KTRU Houston
