The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961) remains Oliver Nelson’s most acclaimed album and features a lineup of topclass musicians: Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes. Baritone saxophonist George Barrow does not take solos but remains a key feature in the subtle voicings of Nelson’s arrangements. The album is often noted for its unique ensemble arrangements and is frequently identified as a progenitor of Nelson’s move towards arranging later in his career. It includes the iconic version of Nelson’s all-time classic “Stolen Moments”. Reviewer Michael G. Nastos gave it the maximum rating of 5 stars in AllMusic, stating the album is “a must buy for all jazz fans, and a Top Ten or Top Fifty favorite for many.” This 180-gram LP edition includes, as a bonus, Nelson’s original version of “Stolen Moments”, recorded the previous year as “The Stolen Moment.”