Why do this title in STEREO when the MONO is generally the way the Classic Blue Note Signature Series titles are released and given that we've made such a big deal about how Van Gelder intended his recordings to be listened to in Mono ? The answer is simply that the 2 track tape sounds great and like "Somethin' Else" and "Blue Train" deserves its own treatment in addition to the mono release. The transfer by Bernie Grundman was done on Classic's "All Tube" Stereo cutting system from the original 2 track master tape (the same tape used for the MONO release).

Midnight Blue is one of those records that you just put on, sit back and relax. Burrell and a great band including Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax, Bill English on drums, Ray Barretto on conga and Major Holley Jr. on bass lay down tunes including "Mule", "Soul Lament", "Wavy Gravy", "Gee Baby Ain't I good for You" and "Midnight Blue" among others. Burrell is quoted as saying to Alfred Lion "I have always had a Love for the blues. In my earliest days in Detroit, I worked with groups that concentrated a great deal on the blues. And I wanted to get a group together for this session that can feel the blues the way I do". Pressed on Classic's own Quiex Super Vinyl Profile, this release, as part of the Classic Blue Note Signature LP Series is a must have. Also available in MONO cut from the same 2 channel master tapes - summed into MONO per Rudy's instructions !