Ron Carter - All Blues (2026 Repress) Ron Carter

2026 repress of Pure Pleasure's acclaimed reissue of bassist Ron Carter's 1974 CTI album, All Blues, featuring Joe Henderson, Roland Hanna, Richard Tee, and Billy Cobham.

Remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London, this audiophile edition is pressed on 180g vinyl and housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

Long regarded as producer Creed Taylor's first-choice bassist, Ron Carter anchored countless landmark recordings throughout the 1960s and 1970s, from Gil Evans' Out of the Cool to numerous CTI classics, all while performing with the legendary Miles Davis Quintet. Despite his central role in shaping the CTI sound, All Blues remained one of the label's overlooked gems upon its original release in 1974.

Today, the album stands as one of the finest recordings from Carter's CTI years. A major reason is the commanding presence of tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, whose performances on A Feeling, 117 Special, Rufus, and the title track are among the album's highlights. Carter also shares an exceptional musical rapport with pianist Roland Hanna, whose elegant playing shines on Light Blue and the bebop-inspired Rufus. Throughout, Carter's warm, melodic bass playing remains the focal point, including the inventive overdubbed solo performance on Will You Still Be Mine?.

As Doug Payne observed, All Blues is one of the strongest albums Carter recorded for CTI between 1973 and 1976, showcasing both his exceptional musicianship and his understated leadership.