#NowSpinning #Pre-Bird by #CharlesMingus. I’m an avid #Mingus fan & whilst this is some way from peak, I pleased to add this to my collection.
This is from the #AcousticSounds #Verve series, cut by #RyanKSmith from the original tapes - & it sounds incredible.
As always with AS, the jacket, the pressing, & the SQ are bang on.
#NowSpinning #RoomOnFire by #TheStrokes.
I’m a huge fan & while this didn’t have the impact of Is This It, it’s packed with infectious hooks, irresistible riffs, a clever turns of phrase. Side A, with Reptilia, Automatic Stop, & Between Love & Hate takes some beating. & Meet Me In the Bathroom oozes cool.
This is a #RyanKSmith cut on behalf of #VinylMePlease & it has punch, swagger & dynamics to burn.
Still making my way through June’s #VMP drop & so I’m #NowSpinning #HighTopMountain by #SturgillSimpson.
I’m generally so-so with country, but Simpson is an exception. Just love the bluegrass inflected vibes throughout this: just great melodies & razor sharp lyricism.
This is a #RyanKSmith cut &, once again, #VinylMePlease has done a great job. I’m normally indifferent when it comes to vinyl variations - but this really looks the part.
Second #VinylMePlease record of the month, & I’m #NowSpinning #MonksMusic by the #TheloniusMonk Septet.
Now this is really exceptional stuff from an incredible line up: #ArtBlakey, #ColemanHawkins & #JohnColtrane.
& the music is white hot: Well, You Needn’t, & Off Minor being favourites. Whilst I love Monk It’s Monk’s Time - this is probably my favourite of his albums.
& #RyanKSmith has done a bang on job with this cut - rich & dynamic.
Change in mood & I’m #NowListening to #TheShapeOfJazzToCome by #OrnetteColeman.
I’m not particularly into free #jazz, & so Coleman loses me with his later stuff. But this is pitch perfect, original, incredible musicianship, but with more than enough hooks.
This #VinylMePlease reissue is mastered by #RyanKSmith & sounds incredible. I’ve been impressed with #VMP. Being based in the UK, I am paying a premium, but they do offer a premium product.
Sun is now shining & I’m #NowPlaying #TheThreeFacesOfYusefLateef by #YusefLateef. This is the 5th offering from this month’s #VinylMePlease bundle.
This album is new to me & on the third listen, there is plenty to enjoy. For me, the tracks with tenor sax are closer to being my jam, but there is also some decent #jazz flute here. The oboe is less my thing & will need further listens.
This is AAA cut by #RyanKSmith & sound as good as you might expect.
#NowPlaying #StarPeople by #MilesDavis, cut by #RyanKSmith, again, courtesy of #VinylMePlease (this being the third from this month’s bundle).
I’m very new to Miles’ electric period - it took quite a while for me to begin to get #BitchesBrew. This, from 1983, is a very similar vibe, but perhaps a little more accessible. The title track, for example, is recognisably blues scales & riffs.
Again, this is impeccably mastered, pressed, & presented.
#NowListening to #BlondeOnBlonde by #BobDylan, cut in mono by #RyanKSmith from today’s #VinylMePlease haul.
This is my 2nd listen & my only mono. The #VMP stands up well to my 1st UK stereo press and proves a compelling listen, cohesion, punch, & natural bass.
The #MobileFidelity, cut at 45, has more space, more detail - but it’s a silly comparison. That #MoFi doesn’t sound like any other version I’ve heard. Plus, it’s cut in stereo, at 45, from DSD.
Recuperating on a cold Monday afternoon, & look what has arrived courtesy of #VinylMePlease :)
This is my first #VMP bundle &, despite my aversion to subscription models, I’ve been sucked in by #RyanKSmith’s mono cut of #BlondeOnBlonde (perhaps my favourite Dylan album) & the 2023 offer of up to 8 free records with every subscription. I went with 6 months for 4 free records.
So far, everything is in order - no seam splits - I’m looking forward to listening.
First Milestones & I’m #NowPlaying #Ballads by #JohnColtrane. This, I think, is one of my favourite albums by Coltrane. The line up is incredible, & the playing just so soulful & so sweet. Generally, I incline to the more melodic pieces & anything post A Love Supreme tends to lose me.
This reissue, by #AcousticSounds, is cut by #RyanKSmith &, as one would expect, is very well done. High quality jackets, immaculately pressing, & beautifully mastered.
Andy