Blue Mitchell – The Thing To Do (Blue Note) (Classic Vinyl Series)

Pressed as part of Blue Note’s Classic Vinyl Series, “The Thing To Do” captures Blue Mitchell at a creative peak, fronting one of the most effortlessly tight small groups of the 1960s. With Junior Cook, Chick Corea, Gene Taylor, and Al Foster in the lineup, this isn’t just another hard bop date—it’s a snapshot of a scene in full stride. Mitchell’s trumpet sound is bright but never brash, lyrical without softening the edges. The tunes balance singable melodies with smart harmonic turns, so you can lean back and enjoy the flow or follow every twist in the solos. Corea’s piano work, still early in his career, is a particular thrill: you can hear him stretching beyond standard hard bop vocabulary, hinting at the directions he’d later pursue. For vinyl collectors, this edition matters. The Classic Vinyl Series is all-analog, cut from the original tapes, and it restores the warmth, depth, and air that made Blue Note records legendary. If you’re building a jazz shelf that goes beyond the usual Miles and Coltrane staples, “The Thing To Do” belongs there: it’s tuneful, relaxed, and quietly virtuosic—an album you’ll keep reaching for on late evenings and slow Sunday mornings.