Genesis - Genesis
This starts off strong with the eerie Mama, although it feels like it belongs on a Collins solo LP... as do a few more of the tracks here.
At this point, Genesis has really become a pop band, with a few "proggier" tracks popping up here and there (especially towards the end). I think this LP was probably their biggest selling one, and may be the peak of their post-prog period.
#nowplaying #vinyl #rock #Genesis #PhilCollins #MikeRutherford #TonyBanks #Atlantic75
Bad Company - Desolation Angels
I don't know. Bad Company obviously produced a number of early hits, and they are undeniably skilled players. Paul Rogers is one of the great Rock and Roll vocalists.
But, maybe it's just that blues-rockers-becoming-kind-of-AOR-balladeers template is kinda clichéd. There's good stuff on this, leaving aside the weird 1979 syndrum-and-synth bits, but it's...boring?
Sounds good on this Atlantic 75 pressing, though.
Heard a lot of versions of this album, looking for the ultimate pressing and never quite without feeling something was lacking.
Until today, when I got the Analogue Productions' 2x45rpm to spin. To me, this is the best way to hear this quintessential album.
Detailed, balanced, with lots of headroom (usually everything's all over the place in this grand symphony of rock) and just the right amount of punch to it when needed. Bravo, guys!
#nowplaying #vinyl #AnalogueProductions #Atlantic75 #yes
Yes - Fragile (Atlantic 75)
Fragile makes yet another appearance, this time it’s the new, Analogue Productions, Atlantic 75, 45-RPM version, mastered by Kevin Gray.
Flat, quiet pressing of a really nice new mastering. Hard to believe this was recorded in 1971.
Stylistically, of course, it’s the same album as before, Yes’ breakthrough, and my favorite of theirs.
#nowplaying #vinyl #Atlantic75 #progrock #yes #AnalogueProductions
Genesis - A Trick of the Tail
Another entry in the Atlantic 75 series, Genesis’ first album after Peter Gabriel left, given a pretty dynamic remastering (all of the Genesis releases from the series have been great sounding).
This is a hard pivot away from Lamb, with Phil Collins fronting the group for the first time. A more straightforward result, and very good.
Re-listen…but the Atlantic 75 version from Analogue Productions.
#nowplaying #vinyl #jazz #johncoltrane #miltjackson #atlantic75 https://mas.to/@dnanian/112197546595127095
Attached: 1 image Milt Jackson & John Coltrane - Bags & Trane What can you say other than “sad that they only worked together this one time”. I assume that's because Coltrane was off Atlantic by the time this came out, whereas Jackson and the MJQ continued… Anyway, they're joined by Hank Jones (piano), Connie Kay (drums) and Paul Chambers (bass)…and everyone's as great as you'd expect. #nowplaying #vinyl #jazz #miltjackson #johncoltrane #hardbop
INXS - Kick (Atlantic 75)
INXS has never been a go-to band for me. They’re poppy as hell, know their way around a hook, and this is probably their commercial peak.
That said, despite Chris Thomas at the board, and Bob Clearmountain mixing, this feels…too programmed. You just don’t feel people playing those hooks, and Hutchence always feels like he’s imitating Mick Jagger.
Do we need a 45RPM audiophile pressing of that?
Yes - The Yes Album (Atlantic 75 Series)
Steve Howe joins Yes and they record/release their first truly great album, previously discussed here
https://mas.to/@dnanian/111252573860889533
This Atlantic 75, 45RPM cut sounds great - remastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, and he did a fantastic job: punchy, great separation & tonality, and it’s a super quiet pressing. (Mine is unfortunately a bit warped (but playable), which I’m going to try to fix.)
Attached: 1 image Yes - The Yes Album The album where Yes became "Yes”, the missing piece being Steve Howe on guitar. And unlike a lot of "prog" albums, these songs are not crammed with too many ideas - just a lot of great playing. What makes it work, too, is…Tony Kaye. I know Wakeman has his fans, but Kaye is a member of the group who isn't *constantly* drawing attention to himself. He solos when he should, and plays with, and not against, the group otherwise. #Nowplaying #vinyl #progrock #yes
Yes - 90125 (Atlantic 75 Series)
Yes imploded/exploded quite a few times over the years, and when it broke into XYZ/Asia and this Trevor Horn-led version, 90125 came out with a new, very 80s-commercial sound.
You've definitely heard "Owner of a Lonely Heart”, which was mostly a Horn composition for a solo album. Kind of last-minute add-on Jon Anderson gave it (and the album) a more "Yes" feel.
New Atlantic 75 version sounds great.
Dave Nanian
Roo E.
John Ackermann