Oliver Nelson - The Complete Blues and the Abstract Truth / 2CD set

3LPs on 2CDs. 2017 European CD collection.

"The Blues and the Abstract Truth" is the masterpiece that earned Oliver Nelson widespread recognition as one of the finest arrangers and composers in jazz. Everything stands out on the album: the wonderful compositions and arrangements, including the splendid “Stolen Moments,” which would become a standard, and the all-star group with Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes. It was so successful that a second LP would soon follow, titled "More Blues and the Abstract Truth", which is also presented here in its entirety. The latter album features a different but equally impressive all-star personnel including Thad Jones, Phil Woods, and Ben Webster.

The complete Oliver Nelson LP "Fantabulous" has been added here as a bonus, along with the earliest existing version of “Stolen Moments” –originally issued as “The Stolen Moment” – by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Nelson, as well as three further versions of the celebrated tune by such greats as J. J. Johnson, Jack Wilson, and the Clark Terry-Bob Brookmeyer Quintet.