1963's Midnight Blue is considered one of the most exciting recordings of Kenny Burrell's long and distinguished career. With Stanley Turrentine’s sax infusing each note with an excess of soul and Ray Barretto’s congas giving the blues-oriented music a Latin tinge, Burrell raises the heat and is heard at his most exhilarating and extroverted. His soulful playing on such songs as "Chitlins Con Carne," "Saturday Night Blues" and "Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You" is so emotional and showcases why both B.B. King and Duke Ellington often cited Kenny Burrell as their favorite guitarist. This superbly recorded classic needs to be in every jazz collection.
