New Sounds was originally a 10" LP compiling previously released 78 rpm records on the Blue Note label.

A CD reissue with the same name and cover appeared in 1991, but while using many of the same personnel, had only two tracks in common with the original LP.

This group included James Moody and Kenny Dorham (who was also in Blakey's Messengers).

The New Sounds CD includes the entirety of these two sessions—recorded October 19 and 25, 1948—including a previously unreleased alternate take of "The Fuller Bop Man.

"[3][1][5] In his review of the CD version of New Sounds, Scott Yanow of AllMusic described the recordings as "historically significant.