180 Gram Vinyl Record

  • Sale! Jimmy Forrest - Out Of The Forrest  (Stereo)

    Low stock

    Jimmy Forrest – Out Of The Forrest (Stereo)

    58,00 

    From the time Coleman Hawkins firmly established the tenor saxophone on the jazz map, it has been one of the most potent forces in the music, its best practitioners able to raise the roof with a jumping blues, soothe the savage beast with a tender love ballad, and do just about anything in between. At the time of this recording (1961), Jimmy Forrest, the St. Louis-born reedman, was a veteran of the Fate Marable, Jay McShann, Andy Kirk, and Duke Ellington bands. Later in his career he starred with Count Basie. Here he leads a quartet of teammates from the combo of "Sweets" Edison, including the young Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul, through a gamut of the aforementioned moods from "Crash Program" to the caressing "That's All," with a few tips of the cap to Ben Webster along the way. With Joe Zawinul, Tommy Potter and Clarence Johnston.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Oliver Nelson - Screamin' the Blues  (Stereo)

    In stock

    Oliver Nelson – Screamin’ the Blues (Stereo)

    58,00 

    Posterity remembers Oliver Nelson (1932-1975) primarily as an arranger/conductor. When he first began to attract attention with a series of albums for Prestige and its subsidiaries, however, Nelson was hailed as a versatile leader of small groups and a composer/instrumentalist who could refresh the music's traditional verities while also looking ahead. There is no better showcase for these skills among his initial sessions than Screamin' the Blues, a rousing set of funky modernism interpreted by a sextet of players who shared Nelson's allegiance to both virtuosity and vision. The pairing of saxophonist Eric Dolphy with Nelson was particularly inspired as both men were adept on more than one instrument, and allowed this sextet to create an uncommon diversity of colors. Nelson and Dolphy would reunite a year later on both the classic Blues and the Abstract Truth and (with the band heard here minus trumpeter Richard Williams) on the looser yet intense Straight Ahead. With Richard Williams, Eric Dolphy, Richard Wyands, George Duvivier and Roy Haynes.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Helen Merrill - Helen Merrill  (Mono Version)

    Backorder

    Helen Merrill – Helen Merrill (Mono Version)

    58,00 

    "Clifford Brown, probably the most acclaimed jazz instrumentalist in 1954, acts (here) as the perfect foil. ... He supplies the hot to Merrill's cool. His technical prowess is on display and he plays quick runs of notes with remarkable delicacy. ... the packaging is a tip-on jacket from Stoughton Printing. Unlike the original, it is a gatefold with session photos on the inside. An insert includes a bit of history about Robert Fine as well as detailed sessions notes. The pressing is a 180-gram slab of vinyl from Quality Record Pressings — enough said. This is a great reissue that, for all intents and purposes, is the only choice for serious listening. The original is priced out of reach for all but the wealthy." — Recording = 4.5/5; Music = 5/5 — Dennis D. Davis, The Audio Beat, May 27, 2020. Read the entire review here. "I confess my ignorance of jazz singer Helen Merrill — or so it was until a couple of weeks ago, when Chad Kassem of Acoustic Sounds sent me a test pressing of his forthcoming reissue of her eponymous 1955 debut LP (EmArcy MG 36006/Analogue Productions AAPJ 127). To say I was impressed is an understatement. The album was recorded in December of 1954 by the legendary Bob Fine, at Fine Sound Inc., 711 5th Avenue in New York. Merrill, then only 24, was backed by a combo that included Clifford Brown on trumpet, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and pianist Jimmy Jones, with arrangements by Quincy Jones — himself a mere 21 years old at the time. The mono sound is on the (pleasantly) dry side and very forward, with taut-sounding drums and bass and an intimate vocal sound that at times comes close to being overly sibilant but never quite carries out the threat. Merrill's intonation isn't always spot-on (as in the intro to 'Yesterdays'), but there's something about her voice — an odd combination of breathy innocence and husky-toned experience that pulls me in time after time. (In 'Don't Explain,' she intones the word quiet in a manner that could launch any number of ships.) And Clifford Brown's trumpet is, as one might expect, perfect. Prices for the original mono LP reach into four-figure territory, so news of an affordable reissue is very good news indeed. Torch on." — Art Dudley, Stereophile, March 2020 Helen Merrill attributed her childhood musical influence to her mother's singing. Truth is, she didn't wait long herself to make a mark as a teenage jazz ingénue, following-up with the notable self-titled LP you have in your hands, newly remastered, and reissued by Analogue Productions. Helen Merrill arrives, remastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio, and plated and pressed to 180-gram vinyl by the dedicated crew at Quality Record Pressings, supervised by plating expert and general manager Gary Salstrom. No less than an old-style, tip-on Stoughton Printing gatefold jacket would suffice for such a phenomenal-sounding reissue. Rare photographs inside the gatefold originally appeared as sleeve art for the 7-inch singles recorded and released in conjunction with the original 1955 album release. Helen Merrill was born in New York City on July 21, 1930. Her professional career began at the age of 15 when, after singing at theatres and winning amateur contests, she landed a job as vocalist with Reggie Charles' Band. Merrill made her recording debut in 1952 when she sang "A Cigarette For Company" with the Earl Hines Band; the song was released on the D'Oro label, created specifically to record Hines' band with Merrill. The session was also notable for including vocalist Etta Jones, who was in Hines' band at the time. Merrill was later signed by Mercury Records to their EmArcy label. Helen Merrill is her debut studio album, backed by among others, trumpeter Clifford Brown and bassist/cellist Oscar Pettiford. The legendary Quincy Jones produced and arranged the album when he was just 21-years-old! The success of Helen Merrill prompted Mercury to sign her for an additional four-album contract. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow gave Helen Merrill 4 1/2 stars. "The music is essentially straight-ahead bop, yet the seven standards ... are uplifted by the presence of Merrill (in top form) and Brown." Her success associated Merrill with the first generation of bebop jazz musicians. Merrill's career continued with recordings and concerts throughout six decades, until the early 2000s. Her emotional, sensual vocal performances, particularly this engaging debut, stand as testament to her immense talent. This is a high-quality reissue of a rare and valuable record. Original copies have sold for more than $1,000!

    Show item
  • Sale! Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis & Johnny Griffin Quintet - The Tenor Scene  (Stereo)

    In stock

    Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis & Johnny Griffin Quintet – The Tenor Scene (Stereo)

    58,00 

    During the two-year existence of their "Tough Tenors" quintet, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (a Prestige artist) and Johnny Griffin (under contract to Riverside/Jazzland) satisfied their contractual obligations by recording five albums for each company. This was the pair’s first for Prestige, and the first of a four-album series taped over the course of an extremely productive evening at the legendary Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. The album, also known as The Breakfast Show in an earlier reissue, gives the rhythm section several opportunities to shine, with Ben Riley’s drums dominant on "Woody’n You," "Bingo Domingo" featuring Larry Gale’s bass, and Junior Mance’s piano solo almost stealing the show on "Light and Lovely." It is the leaders, though, who consistently deliver with their complimentary brand of intensity, which is heard at the boil throughout and reaches a particular peak when they exchange ideas on "Straight, No Chaser."

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Lightnin' Hopkins - Goin' Away (Stereo)

    In stock

    Lightnin’ Hopkins – Goin’ Away (Stereo)

    58,00 

    "At times the guitar seems a bit low in the mix, but on this remastered Analogue Productions LP, cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray, it sounds warm and natural while the boisterous vocals have have a commanding presence; the recording also does a fine job of capturing Leonard Gaskin's deep bass tones and the timbre of Herbie Lovelle's brushes." — Music = 4.5/5; Sonics = 4/5 - Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound, September 2016. Read more here. Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins, a true poet who invented most of his lyrics on the spot and never seemed to run out of new ideas, was a blues giant of post-war blues whose style was rooted in pre-war Texas traditions. While he cranked up his amp to fierce proportions when performing for his friends at Houston juke joints, producers who recorded him for the so-called folk-blues market usually insisted that he use an acoustic guitar for more “authentic” results. Either way, Lightnin’ seldom made a bad record, and this June 4, 1963, session on which he played acoustic was among his finest, thanks much to the sensitive support of bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Herbie Lovelle, who did a remarkable job of following his irregular bar patterns and abrupt song endings.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd - Jazz Samba

    Low stock

    Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd – Jazz Samba

    44,00 

    The words "bossa nova" are often synonymous with the name Stan Getz. But North Americans might not have ever known the bright sound of bossa nova had it not been for Charlie Byrd. In 1961 Byrd returned from a tour of South America, where bossa nova music was thriving. The style was the invention of singer Joao Gilberto and songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim — an adaptation of infectious Brazilian samba rhythms with the harmonic structures and "cool" surface of West Coast jazz. Byrd brought back records for Getz to hear, they planned a session, and the result was Jazz Samba — the first album of true bossa nova music by jazz artists and the one that broke the bossa nova wave in 1960s America. Originally released in 1962. Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. Musicians: Stan Getz, tenor saxophone Charlie Byrd, guitar Keter Betts, bass Gene Byrd, bass, guitar Buddy Deppenschmidt, drums Antonio Carlos Jobim, guitar Bill Reichenbach, drums

    Add to cart
  • Sale! André Previn And His Pals, Shelly Manne & Red Mitchell - West Side Story

    Low stock

    André Previn And His Pals, Shelly Manne & Red Mitchell – West Side Story

    44,00 

    Craft Recordings and Acoustic Sounds are proud to announce the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds series, which continues for 2023 with seven album releases from the Contemporary Records catalog, celebrating 70 years of the legendary jazz label. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. Each title, originally engineered by Roy DuNann and/or Howard Holzer, features all-analog mastering from the original tapes by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman (himself a former employee of the label), as well as unsurpassed audiophile pressing on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, presented in a Stoughton Printing old-style tip-on jacket. The series highlights gems from Contemporary's extraordinary catalog and features artists who both defined and expanded the sound of West Coast jazz. One of the best of a series of showtune albums — perhaps THE best — recorded by the trio of pianist Andre Previn, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne. Here the all-star group is focusing on the music of West Side Story (AllMusic notes Previn and Manne alternated leadership, and it was the drummer's good fortune to have the famous My Fair Lady alum under his own name). The album has eight of the main themes from the famous musical, including "I Feel Pretty," "Maria" and "America." As usual, the melodies are treated respectfully yet swingingly, and Andre Previn in particular excels in this setting. Recommended. Founded in 1951 by film producer, screenwriter and record collector Lester Koenig (1917-1977), Contemporary Records became the epicenter of the West Coast jazz scene, while its cutting-edge approach to sound and design attracted some of the era's most exciting artists. The Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds series — which launched in the spring of 2022 with titles by Art Pepper, Barney Kessel and Benny Carter, among others — honors the label's rich legacy through meticulous reissues that highlight the label's influential classics, as well as its must-hear rarities. Since its initial rollout, the series has earned accolades from a slew of outlets, including JazzTimes, which spoke to the impact of the label, reflecting: "Artists, producers, and engineers alike have held Contemporary aloft...as a label dedicated to presenting jazz at its absolute purest, richest, and live-est," adding that the new reissues "are living, breathing proof of that label's hotly cutting clarity." Audiophile Review, meanwhile, marveled at the stereo pressing of Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics, which it called "top-notch," elaborating that it sounds "richer and more inviting...deliver[ing] a bit more cinemascopic ‘view' of the group." Praising Hampton Hawes' Four! as "pristine," Audiophile Audition added, "Kudos to Craft Recordings for re-introducing a brilliant pianist."

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Wynton Kelly Trio and Wes Montgomery - Smokin' At The Half Note

    Backorder

    Wynton Kelly Trio and Wes Montgomery – Smokin’ At The Half Note

    44,00 

    This important historic jazz record pairs guitar virtuoso Wes Montgomery with Miles Davis' rhythm section — featuring Paul Chambers on bass, Jimmy Cobb on drums and Wynton Kelly on piano. This is timeless music that has inspired innumerable jazz guitarists and aficionados. In fact, jazz guitar great Pat Metheny has said, "I learned to play listening to Wes Montgomery's Smokin' At The Half Note." Metheny additionally said that the solo on "If You Could See Me Now" is his favorite of all time. This legendary session was recorded at a New York nightclub. It captures Montgomery at the height of his improvisational powers. Many consider it the best performance on record by one of the most inventive guitarists in jazz history. Highlights include the Miles Davis opener, "No Blues" and the following track, Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now." And the album's versions of "Unit 7" and "Four On Six" have helped to establish these songs as jazz standards. Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. Musicians: Wynton Kelly, piano Wes Montgomery, guitar Paul Chambers, bass Jimmy Cobb, drums

    Show item
  • Sale! Benny Carter - Jazz Giant

    Low stock

    Benny Carter – Jazz Giant

    44,00 

    Craft Recordings and Acoustic Sounds are proud to announce the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds series, which begins with six album releases from the Contemporary Records catalog, celebrating 70 years of the legendary jazz label. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. Each title, originally engineered by Roy DuNann and/or Howard Holzer, features all-analog mastering from the original tapes by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman (himself a former employee of the label), as well as unsurpassed audiophile pressing on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, presented in a Stoughton Printing old-style tip-on jacket. The series highlights gems from Contemporary's extraordinary catalog and features artists who both defined and expanded the sound of West Coast jazz. The 1958 classic Jazz Giant showcases the alto saxophone, trumpet and arrangements of triple threat Benny Carter, whose majestic talent awed four generations of jazz artists (he's joined by a formidable cast including Manne, Kessel and tenor sax titan Ben Webster). Here, Carter displays three of his many talents, principally as an alto saxophonist, but also as a composer on two numbers and a trumpeter on two. The company he kept, with Webster and Frank Rosolino rounding out the front line, and such fellow giants as Andre Previn, Barney Kessel, Leroy Vinnegar, and Shelly Manne in the rhythm section (Jimmy Rowles replaces Previn on two tracks) left no doubt that this album would be a milestone in straight-ahead, small group, mainstream jazz.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz and Gilberto

    In stock

    Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto – Getz and Gilberto

    44,00 

    "The Acoustic Sounds LP under review isn't the first audiophile LP reissue. I have a 200-gram LP version of Getz/Gilberto from Mobile Fidelity. To me, there are subtle differences. Listening to 'The Girl from Ipanema,' I hear a slightly more focused, precise sound on the new Acoustic Sounds LP. The stereo separation is a bit extreme, as it was on the original: I would have changed that. Familiar though it is, and successful though it was, the music remains marvelous. It's wonderful to relive the heft and forthright mastery we hear on Getz's solos throughout." — Michael Ullman, The Arts Fuse, Sept. 24, 2020. Read the entire review here. "Acoustic Sounds/Universal Music Group has released a vibrant 180-gram stereo vinyl of Getz/Gilberto. Engineered by George Marino (Sterling Sound) under the supervision of Acoustic Sounds founder Chad Kassem, this is a vibrant analog update of a jazz essential. ... The overall mix of this remastered 180-gram vinyl is excellent. The stereo separation is precise, with double bass/percussion on one channel and guitar/piano on the other. Getz' distinctive tenor is centered, as are the vocals. ... The pressing is superior with no hisses or pops." — 5 stars / Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition, Aug. 12, 2020. Read the entire review here. Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' new audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series will launch July 31, 2020 with inaugural releases — the sensational collaborations, Stan Getz and João Gilberto's landmark Getz/Gilberto (1964) and the remarkable Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson (1959). Utilizing the skills of the top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings, all titles will be mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases will be supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. The Acoustic Sounds series will feature two releases a month highlighting a different storied label spanning Verve/UMe's extraordinarily rich archive. To begin with, the series will largely focus on some of the most popular albums from the ‘50s and ‘60s in their unmatched catalog. The July releases will celebrate two of Verve's most beloved albums, the aforementioned Getz/Gilberto and Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson, and will be followed in August by John Coltrane's immortal Impulse! records, A Love Supreme (1964) and Ballads (1963). Two of Nina Simone's legendary Phillips albums I Put A Spell On You (1965) and Pastel Blues (1965) will come in September which will be succeeded in October by two from the EmArcy Records vault: Sarah Vaughan's self-titled 1954 album, the vocal great's sole collaboration with influential trumpeter Clifford Brown, who is also represented alongside pioneering drummer Max Roach on the hard bop classic, Study In Brown (1955). November will spotlight Decca Records with the iconic Peggy Lee's first album, Black Coffee (1956), and composer George Russell's important New York, N.Y. (1959) performed by an all-star orchestra that includes Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Art Farmer and Milt Hinton, among others. All titles and exact release dates are listed below. Additional titles will be announced as the series progresses. "We are excited to launch our Acoustic Sounds series," said Bruce Resnikoff, President & CEO of UMe. "Verve and UMe have one of the richest jazz catalogs ever recorded and our goal is to give vinyl and music lovers the best possible versions of classic albums. The Acoustic Sounds series is designed to appeal to today's most discriminating fans, and those discovering this treasured legacy for the first time, looking for the very finest in both artistic content and audio quality." "We're very honored to have Verve and UME partnering with us to create what we believe will be the highest quality reissues of some of the world's greatest jazz albums. Each step in our production process — from title selection to mastering, pressing and packaging — is designed to meet the highest standards, and we want everyone who hears these albums to feel the love and hard work we put into everything we do," Kassem said. "We've long had a great relationship with UME, pressing classic titles at our Quality Record Pressings from many of their highest-profile artists. We look forward to strengthening that partnership even further with these reissues from Verve, home of the world's largest jazz catalog." Getz/Gilberto is not only a marvelous album, but one which had a profound influence upon the face of jazz and American popular music. This stunning 1964 collaboration between Stan Getz, one of the most popular and respected tenor saxophonists of the era, and the remarkable Brazilian guitarist João Gilberto, launched the bossa nova craze and the career of João's wife Astrud Gilberto with the hugely popular and iconic hit song, "The Girl from Ipanema (Garota de Ipanema)." Even more impactful, it introduced the famed Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim to the English-speaking musical world. In addition to playing piano on the album, Jobim also composed six of the eight compositions, including two of his most popular masterpieces, "Desafinado" and "Corcovado," along with the aforementioned "Garota de Ipanema." While Getz had embraced the music of Brazil prior to this with two outstanding Verve albums — Jazz Samba and Big Band Bossa Nova — Getz/Gilberto, with multiple Grammy Awards and a permanent place on various Best Albums of All-time lists is the album that launched a revolution. Regardless of that, the collaborative blending of Getz's fluid, muscular virtuosity and João's impeccable acoustic guitar stylings and captivating vocals, Astrud's enchanting almost-whispered singing on two tracks, all backed by Jobim's minimalist subtlety on piano and the flawless support of Sebãstio Neto and Milton Banana on bass and drums, make this an utterly momentous musical experience regardless of its lofty place in musical history. Now these albums and many more will be heard better than ever in the exciting new audiophile Acoustic Sounds series.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! John Coltrane - Crescent

    Low stock

    John Coltrane – Crescent

    44,00 

    "...the pressing is solid — manufactured at Quality Record Pressings — with dark black 180-gram vinyl that is well centered. It sounds great and sounds like what I would expect a 1964 Impulse Records release to sound like — it does not feel like the recording has been overly EQ'd or modernized along the way. So kudos again to Ryan K. Smith who has handled all the mastering for the Acoustic Sounds releases at Sterling Sound — if you look closely at the run-out-groove (aka "dead wax") you'll see his initials and the "Sterling" stamp. The cover art is again, like most of the Acoustic Sounds and Tone Poet series reissues I've encountered, manufactured to a very high standard that is arguably better than the originals - super glossy laminated sleeves made of thick cardboard with superb quality reproduction of the original artwork, design and photography. ... If you are a vinyl and Coltrane fan, you'll probably want to pick up one of these fine reissues sooner than later as they tend to disappear from store shelves quickly." — Mark Smotroff, Audiophile Review, Sept. 14, 202. Read the entire review here. "Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original analog tapes, the Acoustic Sounds vinyl edition of the stereo recording stands out for its transparency, pinpointing the individual contributions of each band member and also capturing the synergy of an ensemble that, since its first performance in 1960, continued to reach new musical heights. The deep, woody sound of Jimmy Garrison's bass solo on 'Lonnie's Lament' and the timbre of Elvin Jones' drum solo on "The Drum Thing" have a startling in-the-room presence." — Music = 5/5; Sound = 4.5/5 — Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound. "Recorded in December of 1964, A Love Supreme was Coltrane's biggest seller and the record most familiar to casual listeners. However, if called on to satisfy myself with a single Coltrane album for the rest of time, the title I would choose is Crescent. ... Rudy Van Gelder recorded the music on Crescent during two sessions. ... Crescent was recorded in stereo only and released in both mono fold-down and stereo versions. ... Remastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, this reissue, which was pressed at Quality Record Pressings, blends the channels into a seamless soundstage, one that sounds more natural than that of my original mono pressing. ... In some subtle ways relating to air and delicacy, I'd have to give the slight edge to my original mono pressing, but this reissue's increase in dynamics and punch, coupled with the wonderful soundstage and impressive tonal quality, make it the one I'll reach for most often." — Music = 5/5; Sound = 4.5/5 — Dennis Davis, The Audio Beat. Read Davis's full review here. "Two new Coltrane reissues on vinyl, from the partnership of Universal Music and Acoustic Sounds typify the breadth of (Coltrane's) range and the depths of his explorations. ... The sound quality of both, engineered by Rudy Van Gelder and mastered by Ryan Smith, is very good, with caveats. ... On Crescent, Coltrane is vivid throughout, but on the tracks recorded in April, the piano and drums sound thin; on the tracks from June they sound fine. Luckily 'Wise One' and 'Lonnie's Lament' were laid down in June. These are classics." — Fred Kaplan, Stereophile, April 2022 "Ryan Smith has done a masterful job (no pun intended) with what again sounds like a master tape copy (unless the original tape has just lost some top end) at least based on a 'top end' comparison where on the original Coltrane's sax has greater 'presence' texture and air and Jones's drum kit more natural sizzle — as well as there being more 'room air' — but it's also easy to make a case for far better bass and piano presentation on the reissue. Rudy's original sounds as if he's rolled off the bottom and done a bit of compression. Overall if forced to choose one, I'm not sure I'd take the original over the new reissue, though I'm not selling the original (mine's a second label, red/black, but otherwise a first pressing). That's how good this is." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 10/11 — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here. Released in 1964, Crescent is one of sax master John Coltrane's finest albums, featuring the talents of McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. During 1964 John Coltrane spent the least amount of time in the recording studio of his entire solo career. It wasn't until April 27 that ‘Trane, along with Tyner, Garrison and Jones went to the familiar surroundings of Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliff's studio to begin work on the album that came to be called, Crescent. They recorded all the tracks that appear on Crescent, along with "Songs Of Praise," but not the final versions of the album's five tracks. From that first day's recording the ones that make the final cut are, "Lonnie's Lament," "The Drum Thing" and "Wise One." The first two of these three tracks make up all of side two of the album and on "Lonnie's Lament" Coltrane does not solo at all, instead it features a long bass solo by Garrison. Garrison's widow recalled that this album along with A Love Supreme, which was released a year later in 1965, were the two that her husband listened to the most.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Charles Mingus - The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

    In stock

    Charles Mingus – The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

    44,00 

    "A comparison between this reissue and an original Impulse produced a sonic draw with each having its own attractive qualities — warmer original versus more transparent reissue — but the reissue is pressed on far quieter vinyl and given a choice I'd take the reissue. Musical and sonic fireworks well worth getting." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 10/11 — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. Read the whole review here. On January 20, 1963, bassist and composer Charles Mingus recorded in just one session — astonishingly — a very personal and socially conscious work he titled The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady. With liner notes written by Mingus's psychotherapist, the album uses ornate ensemble orchestration to produce a sound somewhere between jazz and folk. Released on Impulse! Records in 1963, the album consists of a single continuous composition — partially written as a ballet — divided into four tracks and six movements. Of his adventurous and hauntingly eloquent work, among his other creations, Mingus said: "My music is evidence of my soul's will to live."  The evidence of that life-force amounts to some of the most dramatic and powerful jazz composed in the 20th century. Mingus was born in Arizona on April 22, 1922 and raised in Los Angeles. He was taught double-bass by Red Callendar, and by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's Herman Rheinshagen (classical music played as big a part in his compositional thinking as gospel songs and the blues). Mingus toured with New Orleans players Louis Armstrong and Kid Ory in the 40s, and later worked briefly with Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington. If he had been an improvising instrumentalist alone, Mingus would have been a jazz legend simply for his bass playing. Yet bass-playing also gave Mingus an insight into the low sonorities and inner hamonies of jazz composition, and his melodic approach was profoundly influenced by the blues and gospel music of his childhood.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Oliver Nelson - Blues And The Abstract Truth

    Backorder

    Oliver Nelson – Blues And The Abstract Truth

    44,00 

    "Another superb release from the Acoustic Sounds Series of reissues for Verve/Universal Music Enterprises! Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, supervised by Chad Kassem himself, and pressed at QRP, the results are simply breathtaking. ... Along with the Gil Evans Out of the Cool release, this is my favorite reissue so far. Bravo to Chad and his entire team. Originally released on the Impulse label in 1965, this is truly a jazz classic and without question this is Oliver Nelson's magnum opus." — Read Robert S. Youman's review for Positive Feedback online here. "The Blues and the Abstract Truth is one of my favorite jazz recordings. What a group of heavy-weight performers! Besides Oliver Nelson on tenor sax, you've got the incomparable Bill Evans on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Paul Chambers on bass, Roy Haynes on drums, and Eric Dolphy on flute and alto sax. This is the jazz equivalent of a super-group." — Jim Hannon, AVguide.com Here we go with another round from the Acoustic Sounds Series. Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings. As Oliver Nelson is known primarily as a big band leader and arranger, he is lesser known as a saxophonist and organizer of small ensembles. Blues And The Abstract Truth is his triumph as a musician for the aspects of not only defining the sound of an era with his all-time classic "Stolen Moments," but on this recording, assembling one of the most potent modern jazz sextets ever. Lead trumpeter Freddie Hubbard is at his peak of performance, while alto saxophonists Nelson and Eric Dolphy (Nelson doubling on tenor) team to for an unlikely union that was simmered to perfection. Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Roy Haynes (drums) can do no wrong as a rhythm section. Originally released in 1961. Musicians: Oliver Nelson, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone George Barrow, baritone saxophone Paul Chambers, bass Eric Dolphy, flute, alto saxophone Bill Evans, piano Roy Haynes, drums Freddie Hubbard, trumpet

    Show item
  • Sale! The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (Stereo)

    In stock

    The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (Stereo)

    77,00 

    “I just received my copy of the 33 1/3 RPM AP stereo version of Pet Sounds from you, and it completely blew me away in overall sound quality. Excellent job, Chad! BTW, the album cover is also top-notch — everything says quality. With Brian Wilson’s talent, along with the musical versatility of the Wrecking Crew and their respect for Wilson’s ideas, Pet Sounds demonstrates the brilliance of them both in a time capsule — and AP’s remastering is the final excellent touch to bring that out and preserve this enjoyable, thrilling, listening experience. Some say it’s the best they have heard of this title. I don’t know how it could sound better, so I’ll take their word for it — now knowing I own the best analog 33 1/3 RPM stereo recording of this LP.” — Mark Swinford “It was Pet Sounds that blew me out of the water…I love the album so much. I’ve just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life. I figure no one is educated musically ’til they’ve heard that album.” – Paul McCartney “All of us, Ginger (Baker), Jack (Bruce), and I consider Pet Sounds to be one of the greatest pop LPs to ever be released. It encompasses everything that’s ever knocked me out and rolled it all into one.” – Eric Clapton “For those in search of an original mono in pursuit of sonic quality, search no more. This Analogue Productions pressing is now the definitive pressing and the one we chose to feature at our Classic Album Sundays events to honour the 50th anniversary of Pet Sounds, an album that helped change the course of pop music.” — Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Classic Album Sundays “What I can say is that Kevin Gray has been able to extract every last bit of information from whatever tape is in the box, and present it in a way that is pleasing and natural to the ear. … in my opinion, the Analogue Productions pressings are now THE definitive issue of each Beach Boys album, and will be my reference copies until if and when something better comes along — which may be never.” — Lee Dempsey, Endless Summer Quarterly, Summer 2015 Edition A musical legacy that began in Hawthorne, California and went on to conquer the world. Analogue Productions presents the ultimate pressings of 14 essential Beach Boys albums! Mastered by Kevin Gray, most from the original master tapes, and plated and pressed by Quality Record Pressings, the finest LP pressing facility in the world, these are awesome recordings to experience. And the look of each album befits its sonic superiority! Presented in “old school” Stoughton tip-on jackets, these time honored favorites shine brighter than the originals! For the early part of the Beach Boys’ career, all of their singles were mixed and mastered and released only in the mono format — they didn’t release a single in stereo until 1968. In those days, hits were made on AM radio in mono. And the mono of those times worked well for Brian Wilson — famed co-founder, songwriter and arranger — who suffers from partial deafness. Still, apart from Surfin’ Safari, which was mono only, the Beach Boys did turn in stereo masters on all of their early albums up until 1965. All of the newer stereo mixes on these remastered albums (The Beach Boys Today!Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)The Beach Boys’ PartyPet Sounds and Smiley Smile) were done by Mark Linett on behalf of the Beach Boys. Pet Sounds is famous for its use of multiple layers of unorthodox instrumentation as well as other cutting edge audio techniques for its time. It’s considered the best Beach Boys album, and one of the best of the 1960s. The group here reached a whole new level in terms of both composition and production, layering tracks upon tracks of vocals and instruments to create a richly symphonic sound. Conventional keyboards and guitars were combined with exotic touches of orchestrated strings, bicycle bells, buzzing organs, harpsichords, flutes, Theremin, Hawaiian-sounding string instruments, Coca-Cola cans, barking dogs, and more. It wouldn’t have been a classic without great songs, and this has some of the group’s most stunning melodies, as well as lyrical themes which evoke both the intensity of newly born love affairs and the disappointment of failed romance (add in some general statements about loss of innocence and modern-day confusion as well). The spiritual quality of the material is enhanced by some of the most gorgeous upper-register male vocals (especially by Brian and Carl Wilson) ever heard on a rock record. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “Caroline No,” and “Sloop John B” (the last of which wasn’t originally intended to go on the album) are the well-known hits, but equally worthy are such cuts as “You Still Believe in Me,” “Don’t Talk,” “I Know There’s an Answer,” and “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times.” It’s often said that this is more of a Brian Wilson album than a Beach Boys recording (session musicians played most of the parts), but it should be noted that the harmonies are pure Beach Boys (and some of their best). VH-1 named Pet Sounds as the No. 3 album in the Top 100 Albums in Rock ‘n’ Roll History, as judged in a poll of musicians, executives and journalists. It’s been ranked No. 1 in several music magazines’ lists of the greatest albums of all time, including NMEThe Times and Mojo Magazine. It was ranked No. 2 in Rolling Stone‘s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

    Add to cart
  • Sale! Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

    Backorder

    Norah Jones – Come Away With Me

    92,00 

    "The entire project from the songs to the superb recorded sound and packaging just reeks of good taste. And it couldn't have come cheaply. The label or someone made a major financial investment in an unknown's debut album. The investment paid off, as the album sold more than 26 million copies and won numerous awards. It wasn't that much of a risk, really. Jones' amalgam of jazz, country, folk and a touch of rock produced something new and highly attractive to a wide demographic. ... The records coming out of QRP are definitely living up to the pressing plant's early promise. This kind of drop dead black quiet is precisely what's required for Jones' music and QRP delivers it. Kevin Gray's mastering is equally superb." — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com, January 24, 2013. To read Fremer's full review, click here: http://tinyurl.com/bj8rkf7 "The original CD of Come Away With Me was never too bad on the ears, but (on the QRP pressing) the warmth and detail from the clean, flat vinyl shines through." — Review of the Norah Jones Vinyl Collection by Paul Sinclair, Superdeluxeedition.com The winner of eight 2003 Grammys, Come Away With Me was Norah Jones’ breakthrough triumph. Now Jones’ mellow, soul-and-country tinged music gets the richly-deserved Analogue Productions treatment on 180-gram, super-silent vinyl! Hits like the signature cut of this record "Don’t Know Why," have never sounded clearer and more sensual. Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re sitting in the recording studio, watching the magic happen. Jones’ debut on Blue Note was immaculately produced by the great Arif Mardin. Jones, the the daughter of Ravi Shankar, is not quite a jazz singer, but she is joined by some highly regarded jazz talent: guitarists Adam Levy, Adam Rogers, Tony Scherr, Bill Frisell, and Kevin Breit; drummers Brian Blade, Dan Rieser, and Kenny Wolleson; organist Sam Yahel; accordionist Rob Burger; and violinist Jenny Scheinman. Her regular guitarist and bassist, Jesse Harris and Lee Alexander, respectively, play on every track and also serve as the chief songwriters. Both have a gift for melody, simple yet elegant progressions, and evocative lyrics. 2003 Grammy Winner ~ Record of the Year, Don't Know Why ~ Album of the Year, Come Away With Me ~ Song of the Year, Don't Know Why ~ Best New Artist, Norah Jones ~ Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Don't Know Why ~ Best Pop Vocal Album, Come Away With Me ~ Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, S. Husky Höskulds & Jay Newland, engineers ~ Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Arif Mardin, producer

    Show item
  • Sale! Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session

    Backorder

    Cowboy Junkies – The Trinity Session

    82,00 

    "Regardless, sonics are first-rate, as is Analogue Productions' knockout reissue. The sound is exceptionally ambient and airy, with a remarkable sense of depth and a seemingly endless stage. Instruments are creamy-rich in texture, as is Timmins' come-hither vocal style. If you love Trinity Sessions, you'll want this edition." — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, February 2017. Read the whole review here. Read about the making of this spectacular album in Tom Doyle's October 2015 article for Sound On Sound magazine here. Cowboy Junkies recorded this spectacular LP as a "live" event Nov. 27, 1987 at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto. It was recorded with a digital R-Dat and using only a Calrec Ambisonic Microphone. What this means is the record sounds like the band was playing right in front of you with the perfect ambiance. Yes, this is a digital recording. True to our company principles, Analogue Productions in almost all cases reissues recordings only where the analog master tape is available. However, there are rare exceptions that whether digitally recorded or otherwise, a recording is so outstanding it's worthy of the highest quality vinyl reissue. Featuring the sultry voice of Margo Timmins, the precise musicianship of her brothers Peter (on drums) and Michael (on guitar), and bassist Alan Anton, The Trinity Session is a spare, evocative, countrified-rock classic. First released in late 1988, The Trinity Session was named "Album of the Year" by The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times described it as "a quiet, special record that challenges traditional music." Rolling Stone declared the album to be "as important as it its inspiring." Today, it remains much more than a snapshot of a single day's work captured on tape. So for this deluxe Analogue Productions reissue, we pulled out all the stops. Starting with new mastering from the original session digital tapes by the original recording engineer, Peter Moore. And lacquer cutting by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound. The church where the album was recorded was selected on the basis of work Moore had done there with other jazz and classical artists. Using a single Calrec Ambisonic microphone, the results are stunning. Next, we kicked up the packaging and content several notches. You're holding a heavyweight old-style tip-on Stoughton Printing jacket, and it has brand-new liner notes by author and music editor Jason Schneider. Schneider is the author of Whispering Pines: the Northern Roots of American Music from Hank Snow to The Band. He's also the roots music editor at Exclaim! and his work has been published in PasteThe WordThe Toronto Star and other publications. The liner notes share space with additional recording session photos, inside and on the back cover. Additionally, the cover has been redesigned to remove the lettering and photo distortion originally applied and make it appear as the musicians/artist originally intended. Lastly, this sonic treasure has been pressed on 180g vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, maker of the world's finest LPs, with stampers plated by master plating technician Gary Salstrom. The inspired reworking of both "Blue Moon" and "Working On A Building" reveal the Timmins family to be talented interpreters and insightful neo-traditionalists. Mixing the ambitious songwriting of Margo and Michael Timmins with subdued covers of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," The Trinity Session is an exquisite collection that holds up quite well under repeated listenings. "The main appeal of The Trinity Session, the Cowboy Junkies' second album, remains its lo-fi sound. The ambient buzz of Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity, where the Junkies recorded the album around one microphone, colors every song, reinforcing the live setting and generating vinyl intimacy even on CD. It's as if the church itself was an instrument, one that Junkies could play pretty well. It allows Margo Timmins' voice to fill your field of vision, simultaneously soothing and unsettling, while her brother Michael's guitar rumbles through the songs, a little louder and sharper than anticipated." — Pitchfork

    Show item