Jethro Tull – Aqualung – Analogue Productions SACD
Analogue Productions presents another classic title on Hybrid Stereo SACD — Jethro Tull's multi-platinum-selling smash Aqualung. Originally released in March 1971, the album has sold in excess of 7 million copies worldwide, achieving Top Ten chart status in both the U.K. and U.S.. Aqualung's success signaled a turning point in the band's career, making Jethro Tull a major radio and touring act.
Ernest Ansermet – The Royal Ballet Gala Performances (2 LP + Book) – Analogue Productions 180g Vinyl
Analogue Productions is proud and excited to be bringing back such a classic. Not just for the music, which is superb, but also for the detailed packaging, which in this case takes the form of a 22-page lavishly illustrated book that's integrated into the tip-on gatefold jacket. If you're new to ballet, this pictorial history will introduce you to some of its most famous productions — old favorites such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, for example — but also less familiar tales such as Carnaval, Les Sylphides and Coppélia. You'll also make the aquaintance of famous ballerinas of the Royal company, such as Margot Fonteyn, Nadia Nerina and Beryl Grey. as well as choreographers such as Jules Perrot and male dancers Alexis Rassine and Michael Somes.
Eric Dolphy – Outward Bound (Stereo) – Analogue Productions 180g Vinyl
Eric Dolphy has sometimes been described as an iconoclast, but in Outward Bound, he was not overturning his idol, Charlie Parker; he was building on Bird’s legacy. So deep was Dolphy’s musicianship, so free his imagination, that he enchanted trailblazers like John Coltrane and Charles Mingus. Partnering in this collection with the brilliant trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and a stunning rhythm section, Dolphy is at a peak of energy and creativity on alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute. He and Hubbard work with empathy reminiscent of the young Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Pianist Jaki Byard, bassist George Tucker, and drummer Roy Haynes were ideal accompanists and co-conspirators in this widely influential work.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Mardi Gras – Craft Recordings 1/2 Speed Mastered Vinyl
Groove Note – True Analogue: The Best Of Groove Note – One-Step Numbered Limited Edition 180g 45rpm 2LP
Announcing the very first Groove Note Best Of One Step LP — True Analogue: The Best of Groove Note Records (25th Anniversary Edition). The program is similar to Groove Note's existing True Audiophile series of SACDs but features more tracks from the recent releases by Vanessa Fernandez and Jacintha. The program contains 12 tracks spread over 4 x 45 rpm sides and is plated One Step by RTI.
Read Exclusive Review by Ken Kessler
Milt Jackson : Sunflower – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Recorded over two days in December of 1972 at Rudy Van Gelder’s Englewood, New Jersey home studio, vibraphonist Milt Jackson’s Sunflower is the first and best of his three albums for Creed Taylor’s CTI imprint. (And one of the finest offerings on the label.) With a core band consisting of Herbie Hancock (playing electric and acoustic piano), bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, drummer/percussionist Ralph McDonald, and guitarist Jay Berliner. A chamber orchestra exquisitely arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky adorns the session as well.
Pharoah Sanders : Live – Pure Pleasure Records 180g 2 LP Vinyl
John Coltrane – With The Red Garland Trio – Analogue Productions 200g Vinyl
For his second long player, John Coltrane (tenor saxophone) joined forces with his Prestige labelmate Red Garland (piano) to command a quartet through a five-song outing supported by a rhythm section of Paul Chambers (bass) and Art Taylor (drums). The absence of any unessential instrumentalists encouraged a decidedly concerted focus from Coltrane, who plays with equal measures of confidence and freedom. The Coltrane original “Traneing In” Is a rousing blues that exemplifies the musical singularity between Coltrane and Garland. Even though Garland, the pianist, takes charge from the start, the structure of the arrangement permits the tenor to construct his solo seamlessly out of Garland’s while incrementally increasing in intensity, yet never losing the song’s underlying swinging bop.
Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Going Back To Acoustic – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
“…These classic songs are matched by an impeccable re-master of the kind of recording which constantly reminds me exactly just why I own a turntable. Fantastic transparency, a jaw dropping presentation of rough hewed vocal dynamic shifts and the kind of inner details that scream ‘intimacy’ recreates the atmospheric roots of the Deep South – making this a must own record from a sonic perspective as well.” Recording = 9.5/10; Music = 9/10 – Reuben Parry, Hi-Fi+, Issue 45
Miles Davis In Person: Friday And Saturday Nights At The Blackhawk – Impex 2LP, 180G, 33RPM Vinyl
Taj Mahal – Labor of Love (33 RPM) Analogue Productions Audiophile Vinyl
- Vinyl-only release!
- Previously unreleased late 1990s recordings!
- 180-gram vinyl pressed at Quality Record Pressings!
- Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from original 44.1kHz/16-bit session recordings
- Taj Mahal, loose and casual in informal recording sessions with peers
- Taj performs with guest artists: John Dee Holeman, Cool John Ferguson, Cootie Stark and Algia Mae Hinton
