Midnight Blue is Kenny Burrell’s understated masterpiece and one of the finest displays of bluesy-jazz guitar playing. The guitarist whose tone entranced Jimi Hendrix and whose style was emulated by Stevie Ray Vaughan moves deliberately and patiently through this intimate set. Standouts include the smokin’ opener, “Chitlins Con Carne” and the stunning “Soul Lament.” His elegant choice of chords and melodic intensity are powerful and fluid. This star-studded affair also features tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, double-bassist Major Holley Jr., drummer Bill English and conga-player Ray Barretto. In 2005, NPR included the album in its “Basic Jazz Library,” describing the album as “one of the great jazzy blues records.”