Características
The "Masterpieces" were among the earliest releases on 12-inch-LPs ever in 1950. Ellington enthusiastically accepted Columbia's recording offer, as the new format finally offered a longer playing time per side than the previous 78s. He took advantage of this to re-record his classics "Mood Indigo" (1930), "Sophisticated Lady" (1933) (both backed vocally by Yvonne Lanauze) and "Solitude" (1934), finally giving them the space the concert arrangements deserved. Ellington's collaboration with Billy Strayhorn in the late 1940s comes through clearly in the rich and symphonic arrangements. Added to the mix was a newly composed piece, "The Tattooed Bride" from 1948, in which Jimmy Hamilton shines on clarinet. The audiophile reissue as a 33rpm LP with the original red cover from 1951 (it was replaced with a blue one in 1956) honors a piece of jazz and recording history.
Re-mastering: Ray Staff bei Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
musicians: Billy Strayhorn (p), Russell Procope, Paul Gonzalves, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton (sax), Nelson Williams, Andrew Ford, Harold Baker, Ray Nance, William Anderson (tp), Quentin Jackson, Lawrence Brown, Tyree Glenn (pos), Mercer Ellington (hrn), Sonny Greer (dr), Wendell Marshall (b) und Yvonne Lanauze (voc)
Side A :
1. Mood Indigo
2. Sophisticated Lady
Side B: 1. The Tattooed Bride
2. Solitude