Bill Evans Trio’s Sunday At The Village Vanguard UHQR

Bill Evans Trio’s Sunday At The Village Vanguard on Analogue Productions’ UHQR, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl!

Definitive handmade limited run reissue Ultra High Quality Record!

200-gram 45 RPM 2LP release limited to 5000 copies

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original analog tapes

Set includes 8-page booklet with liner notes by Bob Blumenthal

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using Clarity Vinyl® on a manual Finebilt press

Purest possible pressing and most visually stunning presentation and packaging!

Widely regarded as one of the greatest live jazz recordings of all time, Sunday At The Village Vanguard from the Bill Evans Trio, captures a remarkable performance by pianist Bill Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City on June 25, 1961.

The album features a selection of jazz standards and original compositions, showcasing the exceptional musicianship and improvisational prowess of the trio. The interplay between Evans, LaFaro, and Motian is extraordinary, with each musician seamlessly complementing and responding to one another.

The album also showed how Evans had refined an approach to solo improvisation in which the pulse was not as obvious as it had been in swing and bop approaches. And his extraordinarily-high standards required that each improvised melodic idea be extensively developed, resulting in more continuity and pacing than was common to any previous modern style. The influence of what LaFaro and Evans laid out here was still being felt in the 1990s.

Now Analogue Productions, the audiophile in-house reissue label of Acoustic Sounds, Inc., together with Quality Record Pressings, is putting Sunday At The Village Vanguard where it belongs: the Ultra High Quality Record (UHQR) pressed on Clarity Vinyl with attention paid to every single detail of this one-of-a-kind reissue.

Four glorious sides of 200-gram Clarity vinyl from QRP, the best presser in the business, reduces distortion and high frequency loss as the wider-spaced grooves let your stereo cartridge track more accurately. UHQRs from Analogue Productions feature ultra-quiet pressing, with great care taken to eliminate any surface noise or imperfections from the manufacturing process. The heavier vinyl minimizes resonance and warping, providing a stable and flat playing surface. The proprietary compound further enhances the overall sound quality, offering improved dynamics, detail, and tonal accuracy.

Overall, UHQR Clarity Vinyl from Analogue Productions is a sought-after format among audiophiles and collectors who value the highest possible audio fidelity from their vinyl records.

One of the standout tracks on this album is the rendition of the jazz standard “Gloria’s Step.” Evans’ delicate touch and lyrical piano playing shine through, while LaFaro’s inventive and melodic bass lines add depth and richness to the sound. The trio’s chemistry is evident as they navigate through intricate musical passages and engage in spontaneous musical conversations.

Another notable track is “Alice in Wonderland,” an original composition by Evans. It highlights his unique approach to harmony and melody, characterized by introspection, elegance, and a delicate touch. The trio’s interpretation of this piece is enchanting and showcases their ability to create a magical atmosphere through their collective musical expression.

Sunday at the Village Vanguard is celebrated not only for its exceptional music but also for its exceptional sound quality. The recording captures the intimate ambiance of the Vanguard, allowing listeners to experience the energy and intimacy of a live jazz performance.

Overall, Sunday at the Village Vanguard is a timeless masterpiece that exemplifies the artistry and innovation of the Bill Evans Trio. It remains a significant and influential album in the history of jazz.