Ben Webster - Dark Soul Sketches (2026)

"Dark Soul Sketches" is a breathtaking archival discovery that captures the "King of the Tenor" in his most intimate and nocturnal setting. Released as part of a high-fidelity collaboration between Acoustic Sounds and Verve, this album features previously unreleased studio sketches and alternate takes from Webster’s prolific mid-1960s European sessions.

The title perfectly encapsulates the mood: these are "sketches" of deep, soulful ballads where Webster’s legendary "breathier-than-air" tone takes center stage. Stripped of large orchestral arrangements, the focus remains on the raw, smoky texture of the saxophone and the delicate interplay with a world-class jazz trio. It is the definitive sound of the "Blue Hour"—sophisticated, melancholic, and deeply human.