Wayne Shorters formidable and prolific output in 1964 produced his first three Blue Note albums as a leader each of which would become instant classics upon their release:Night Dreamer,Juju, andSpeak No Evil. That fact may explain why, as the saxophonist continued to churn out Blue Note sessions at a remarkably high level in 1965, the labels release schedule couldnt keep pace with Shorters creative burst, which resulted in his next two recordingsThe SoothsayerandEtceterabeing shelved and not released until 1979 and 1980, respectively. It was just two months after recordingSpeak No Evilthat Shorter was back in Van Gelder Studio to recordThe Soothsayerwith a sextet featuring trumpeterFreddie Hubbard, alto saxophonistJames Spaulding, pianistMcCoy Tyner, bassistRon Carter, and drummerTony Williams. The album captured deeply engaged performances of five beguiling Shorter compositions including Lost, Angola, and the stunning ballad Lady Day, a tribute to Billie Holiday. The album concludes with Shorters arrangement of Valse Triste by the Finnish classical composer Jean Sibelius.

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

Tracklist:
A1 Lost
A2 Angola
A3 The Big Push
B1 The Soothsayer
B2 Lady Day
B3 Valse Triste

Release Date: 8/15/2025
Label: Blue Note

Two months after recording his masterpiece Speak No Evil, saxophonist Wayne Shorter was back in the studio recording The Soothsayer, featuring Freddie Hubbard, James Spaulding, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. The sextet delivers deeply engaged performances of five beguiling Shorter originals plus an arrangement of Sibelius’ “Valse Triste.” 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

1. Lost
2. Angola
3. The Big Push
4. The Soothsayer
5. Lady Day
6. Valse Triste