So when trumpeter Donald Byrd and drummer Art Taylor came through Paris on tour in 1958 they sought out Reece and even found their way into the recording studio together in London for a UK-US jazz summit that would become Reece's Blue Note debut: Blues In Trinity. The date was produced by Tony Hall who had cut several sessions with Reece for Decca Records' imprint Tempo that had caught the ear of Alfred Lion, and an arrangement was made for Blue Note to release the new album. Reece delivers bravado performances throughout including the stunning ballad feature "I Had The Craziest Dream" with Byrd joining for some friendly sparring on "Close-Up" and "Color Blind." Taylor anchors the rhythm section throughout with British pianist Terry Shannon and Canadian bassist Lloyd Thompson, but the album's ace-up-the-sleeve is arguably British tenor saxophonist Tubby Hayes who is a robust presence on standout tracks including the opener "Blues In Trinity" and the Monk classic "'Round About Midnight."
This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Side A
1: Blues In Trinity
2: I Had The Craziest Dream
3: Close-Up
Side B
1: Shepherd's Serenade
2: Color Blind
3: 'Round About Midnight