VARIOUS The Blue Note Years (Strictly limited 1998 US-only 132-track 14-CD box set [seven double CDs in total], a beautiful collection which celebrates, in grand style, the history of the legendary Blue Note jazz label from its inception in 1939, digitally remastered & nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Boxed Recording Package. The songs run from Albert Ammon's 'Boogie Woogie Stomp' right up to 'Move Your Hands' by Lonnie Smith & the US3 Horns, taking in all the classic & groundbreaking tunes by the likes of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Wayne Shorter & Herbie Hancock along the way. Each volume - Boogie, Blues & Bop, The Jazz Message, Organ & Soul, Hard Bop & Beyond, Avant Garde, New Era, & Blue Note Now & Then - stands as its own little mini-history. Each double set contains a complete tracklisting personnel & generous liner notes. There is also an exclusive 48-page limited book of rare session photographs enclosed. Obtained from a former EMI executive, the box shows just a bit of light bowing around the edges of the lift off lid from storage & all contents look barely touched).