Jazz enthusiasts and audiophiles rejoice—Oliver Nelson’s iconic album The Blues and the Abstract Truth is now available in an expanded CD edition, packed with musical treasures and collector-worthy extras. This definitive release includes the complete original album, six bonus tracks, and a 16-page booklet filled with memorabilia and updated liner notes, offering deep insight into one of the greatest jazz records ever made.
Originally released on Impulse! Records as Impulse AS-5, this 1961 recording marked a turning point in Oliver Nelson’s career, cementing his reputation as a masterful arranger and composer. At the heart of the album lies “Stolen Moments”, a timeless jazz standard praised as "perhaps the best blues ever written” by critic Ralf Dombrowski.
But the brilliance doesn’t stop there. The album showcases a dream lineup of jazz legends, including:
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Freddie Hubbard – trumpet
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Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone, flute
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Bill Evans – piano
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Paul Chambers – bass
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Roy Haynes – drums
Each performance is a study in balance, nuance, and innovative musical storytelling. Nelson’s arrangements blend the complexity of modern jazz with the soul of the blues, resulting in compositions that feel both fresh and eternal.
The newly remastered CD edition offers much more than just the original six tracks. Fans will find:
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Six bonus tracks featuring Oliver Nelson, Eric Dolphy, and Roy Haynes
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Two extended blues compositions
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The first recorded version of “Stolen Moments” – originally titled The Stolen Moment
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A 16-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia, and revised liner notes
This makes the release a must-have for collectors, jazz historians, and casual listeners alike.
This album has consistently been rated among the top jazz albums of all time, receiving accolades such as:
“This LP is a must buy for all jazz collectors, and a Top Ten-Fifty favourite for many.”
— Michael G. Nastos, AllMusic
“Using 12-bar blues and 'I Got Rhythm' as points of departure, Nelson has put together six compositions that show him to be one of the important new writers.”
— Don DeMicheal, Down Beat
Included in “120 Best Jazz Albums” – Basis-Diskothek Jazz, Germany
Track Listing
Disc 1 / Side 1:
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Stolen Moments
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Hoe-Down
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Yearnin’
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The Meetin’
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Stolen Moments [First Version, aka The Stolen Moment]
Whether you’re discovering Oliver Nelson’s genius for the first time or revisiting a cornerstone of your jazz collection, this CD edition of The Blues and the Abstract Truth is an essential addition. It captures a singular moment in music history—when some of the most influential musicians came together to produce a body of work that still resonates today.
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