Ellington Indigos IMPEX 45 RPM Reissue [2024]

Much to the chagrin of my father, an Ellington acolyte, I’ve always considered myself more admirer of the Duke than fan. I believe after listening to this extraordinary 45 RPM Chris Bellman remastered beauty from IMPEX, I’m on the Ellington train.

The original recording from 1958 features Duke on piano surrounded by musicians he trusted including Johnny Hodges, Shorty Baker and Clark Terry among other luminaries. In fact Ellington Indigos features famous solos by Hodges, Baker and others—all helped define the later Ellington sound.

The double 45 RPM features classic performances of standards. Not a dud in the bunch. In addition to the eight stereo tracks, IMPEX adds four mono tracks (they went unheard for this review).

Checking the Wikipedia page, there have been umpteen versions of the album, including mono, stereo (with different takes of certain tracks), CDs with different track listings, etc. This new 45RPM IMPEX is a recut of Columbia CS 8053 (stereo — 8 tracks) with the additional analog mono mixes exclusive to this release.

Original stereo track listing:

1. “Solitude”

2. "Where or When"

3. "Mood Indigo"

4. “Autumn Leaves"

5. "Prelude to a Kiss"

6. "Willow Weep for Me"

7. "Tenderly"

8. "Dancing in the Dark"

What shines on this album musically, are Ellington’s orchestrations and arrangements. He begins solo piano with only a slight rhythmic impetus on “Solitude” and then allows each section starting with the saxes to creep in quietly. All the while building volume and rhythmic tension. A master stoke of arranging.

Compared to the fabulous 1950 mono reissue, Masterpieces By Ellington, a Ryan K. Smith gem of a recut, but filled with playing styles that made me more admirer of Ellington than fan, Indigos is a stylistic 180. The older style is treasured by many, but by 1958, the time of Indigos’ release, the playing styles were just as musical, but with more restrained vibrato and a less “blowy” style. So Paul Gonsalves’ lovely tenor highlights “Where or When” but doesn’t overwhelm it. Then, Shorty Baker beguiles with beautiful phrasing in what I think is the Duke’s best rendition of his famous “Mood Indigo”.

The only real slip, and it’s not at all bad, is Ray Nance’s musical but poorly intoned violin on the arrangement of “Autumn Leaves”. Ozzie Bailey’s vocal salvages the intonation and the extremely slow tempo.

Chris Bellman’s recut is typical of his stellar work at Bernie Grundman Mastering—wide open soundstage, a superb balance between Ellington’s important soloists (listen to Johnny Hodges alto placement and timbral beauty in the Ellington masterpiece, “Prelude to a Kiss”).

Columbia 30th Street Studios.

Originally recorded by Fred Plaut at Columbia 30th Street Studios, this is not a Van Gelder New Jersey special. The orchestra is spread across the soundstage. No gaping hole. Same for bass and drums—sounding just fine, but a back seat in Ellington’s balances.

Bellman’s 45 RPM remastering on flat, silent (black) vinyl is a killer-sounding record. And the speed is not too intrusive for record changing but allows the full dynamic range to sound its best across the entire side.

Another wonderful reissue from the IMPEX team with the addition of an excellent set of notes and photographs by Chuck Granata.

The record was sent to us unrequested by IMPEX. We’re happy to bring the review to our readers and thank the IMPEX team for their kind consideration. [No financial affiliation]

Further information: Impex Records