The underrated hard bop pianist and composerFreddie Reddfirst gained a degree of prominence as the composer of the remarkable score for the acclaimed stage playThe Connection, in which he also appeared as an actor playing the role of a jazz pianist. Redds 1960 Blue Note debut was a recording ofThe Music from The Connectionand he would continue to display his compositional prowess on his next date,Shades of Redd, recorded later that year with a quintet featuringJackie McLeanon alto saxophone,Tina Brookson tenor saxophone,Paul Chamberson bass, andLouis Hayeson drums. A set of six Redd originals, the album begins with the dramatic opener The Thespian, which starts with a slow, brooding melody before breaking into a full gallop. Other highlights include the swaggering Blues-Blues-Blues and the twilit ballad Shadows.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracklist:
A1 Thespian
A2 Blues-Blues-Blues
A3 Shadows
B1 Melanie
B2 Swift
B3 Just A Ballad For My Baby
B4 Ole