Reuben Wilson - Blue Mode

Review by XPD - Expide tu factura

Blue Mode by Reuben Wilson: A Soulful Jazz-Funk Journey That Still Grooves Today Reuben Wilson’s Blue Mode, released in 1970, is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it’s a straightforward jazz-funk record—part of the Blue Note catalog that helped define an era—but give it a spin, and you’ll find layers of groove and soul that feel as fresh today as they did back then. With its mix of Soul Jazz, Jazz-Funk, and even a touch of gritty funk vibes, this album has earned its place in collections across the US, Japan, UK, and Europe. The credits alone tell a story of craftsmanship. You’ve got Rudy Van Gelder, the legendary engineer behind so many iconic recordings, capturing every nuance of Wilson’s Hammond organ and Melvin Sparks’ sharp guitar licks. The artwork? A knockout. Mati Klarwein and Bob Venosa bring their psychedelic-meets-retro magic to the cover, making it a visual treat just like the music inside. It’s no wonder labels like Blue Note kept reissuing this gem over the years. Now let’s talk tracks. If I had to pick two standouts, “Orange Peel” and “Knock On Wood” would be my picks. “Orange Peel” grabs you right away with its laid-back yet funky groove. Wilson’s organ playing here is buttery smooth but packs enough grit to keep things interesting. Sparks lays down some tasty guitar riffs that weave in and out like a conversation between old friends. And drummer Tommy Derrick? He keeps everything tight without ever stealing the spotlight. This track sticks with me because it feels like a lazy Sunday afternoon wrapped up in four minutes of pure vibe. You don’t just listen to “Orange Peel”—you live it for a little while. Then there’s “Knock On Wood,” which takes the classic soul tune and flips it into something entirely new. The band stretches out, letting each instrument breathe while staying locked into the pocket. John Manning’s tenor sax adds a smoky texture that gives the track depth, and Wilson’s organ swells with emotion. It’s one of those covers where you forget about the original after a few bars because the reinterpretation is just that good. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded why Reuben Wilson was—and still is—a master at blending genres without losing authenticity. What makes Blue Mode special isn’t just the musicianship; it’s how effortlessly cool it feels. There’s no pretense here, just a group of talented players doing what they do best. And honestly, that’s refreshing in a world full of overproduced nonsense. Listening to this album feels like walking into a dimly lit club in 1970, where everyone knows the music is the real star. Here’s the unexpected part: despite being nearly 55 years old, Blue Mode doesn’t sound dated. Sure, the production has that warm analog quality we all love, but the energy and creativity are timeless. It’s the kind of record that makes you wonder if modern artists will ever capture this level of raw, unfiltered artistry again. Or maybe it’s proof that great music doesn’t need gimmicks—it just needs heart. So if you’re looking for something that grooves hard but also tells a story, grab yourself a copy of Blue Mode. Just don’t blame me when you can’t stop hitting repeat.

Artist: Reuben Wilson
Album: Blue Mode

1969

Rating: 5.0

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Filename: reuben-wilson-blue-mode.zip

MP3 size: 42.3 mb
FLAC size: 336.6 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Twenty-Five Miles (cont)
Twenty-Five Miles	7:13
Knock on Wood	06:09
Bambu (cont)
Knock On Wood	6:11
Bus Ride	6:11
Orange Peel	6:39
Bambu	8:5
Blue Mode	7:26

Video

Reuben Wilson- Bambu

Images

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Catalog Numbers

Labels

Blue Note
Blue Note, Liberty/U.A. INC.
Blue Note, UMe
Blue Note, Liberty

Listen online

écouter en ligne
escuchar en línea
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
lyssna på nätet
ascolta in linea
kuunnella verkossa
online anhören
online luisteren

Formats

CD
Album
Reissue
Vinyl
LP
Stereo
180g
8-Track Cartridge
Remastered
SHM-CD

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Capitol Records, Inc.
Copyright (c)	Capitol Records, Inc.
Marketed By	EMI Records
Distributed By	EMI Records
Recorded At	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Pressed By	Rainbo Records
Mastered At	Cohearent Audio
Lacquer Cut At	Cohearent Audio
Manufactured By	Universal International Music B.V.
Record Company	Universal Classics & Jazz

Credits

Role	Credit
Art Direction	Frank Gauna
Artwork	Mati Klarwein
Design	Bob Venosa
Drums	Tommy Derrick
Engineer	Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar	Melvin Sparks
Liner Notes	Stanley Dance
Mastered By	Ron McMaster
Organ	Reuben Wilson
Producer	Francis Wolff
Tenor Saxophone	John Manning
Reissue Producer	Michael Cuscuna, Tom Evered
Recorded By	Rudy Van Gelder
Lacquer Cut By	KPG
Cover	Bob Venosa, Mati Klarwein

Notes

Recorded on December 12, 1969 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Made in Holland.
Catalog number: 7243 8 29906 2 8 (on spine and on disc), STEREO 29906 (on front and back cover)
Originally issued as Blue Note BST 84343
Recorded on 12/12/1969 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Originally released as Blue Note BST 84343
Blue Note reissues with labels containing "304 Park Ave." are "budget" ($9.99-11.99) Blue Note LPs that are officially licensed product (circa 2000s). They are licensed by Scorpio and pressed at Rainbo in LA. Every single one of these is cut using a digital master.
Year of release is 1970.
Label is blue and white with "Blue Note Records • A Division Of Liberty Records, Inc.".
Guessing at Programs 1 and 3 since sleeve covers up those titles.

Barcodes

Barcode: 724382990628
Barcode (Scanned): 724382990628
Matrix / Runout (Side 1): 3977-BN 84343-1 (A) S-67180
Matrix / Runout (Side 2): 3977-BN 84343-1 (B) S-67181
Matrix / Runout (Side 1 label): BNST 84343-A
Matrix / Runout (Side 2 label): BNST 84343-B
Barcode: 7 24382 99061 1
Label Code: LC 0133
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A): B129906 A-01-01- 1 D
Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B): B129906 B-01-01- 1 D
Barcode: 602577531224
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 00602577531224 7753122-A BJ64719-01 A1 KPG@CA |/\
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 00602577531224 7753122-B BJ64719-01 B1 KPG@CA |/\
Label Code: LC00383
Barcode: 4 988005 803559
Matrix / Runout: TYCJ-81092 1A
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L245
Mould SID Code: IFPI 4011
Rights Society: JASRAC

About Reuben Wilson

Album herunterladen Reuben Wilson - Blue Mode

American jazz organist. Played with : Bobby Hutcherson, Herb Lewis, Eddie Williams (drummer), George Freeman, "Wildare Express

Real Name

Reuben Lincoln Wilson

Name Vars

R. WIlson
R. Wilson
R.Wilson
Reuben \
Wilson
Reuben Wilson Quintet
Ruben Wilson
Rubin Wilson
Rueben Wilson

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Blue Mode* by Reuben Wilson is a hidden gem that blends jazz, funk, and soul into a sound that feels timeless. It came out in 1970, but its groovy vibe still resonates today. One standout detail? The artwork was done by Mati Klarwein, the same artist behind iconic covers like Miles Davis' *Bitches Brew*. Crazy, right? Plus, it was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, the legendary engineer who shaped the sound of so many jazz classics. Tracks like "Orange Peel" and "Knock on Wood" are pure ear candy—smooth, funky, and full of soul. It’s wild how this album connected fans across the US, Japan, UK, and Europe back in the day.

Comments

amidani1989

2025-03-11

Reuben Wilson - Organ
John Manning - Tenor Sax
Melvin Sparks - Guitar
Tommy Derrick - Drums

dtrackerman

2025-03-10

intemporal

jamessafernandez

2025-03-09

still big!

jocantley19

2025-03-09

I really dug the drummers & their fine equipment all through the 60's & very early 70's. Not only in main stream jazz but in the rock & roll arena as well .