Finally got down to listening to Bob James - Once Upon A Time.
Wow after being let down by the sonics of Charlie Parker‘s Jazz at midnight (2/10), Bob James is a full 10/10. The best sounding RSD bar none. Could be among the best sounding in my entire record collection. Full dynamic range, supreme clarity yet the bass is defined and solid (My Ron Carter hasn‘t arrived so let’s see if it could top this )
Looking more closely at the jacket, I just realised that Bob James is mastered by Grundman and pressed at RTI
For sure Bob James is a great-sounding pressing. I know this will sound odd coming from “that guy at N&G who likes a lot of really weird stuff” but the experimental aspects of this recording was a big letdown for me, especially Lateef Minor 7th and Variations. Too shrill/jarring and just didn’t feel right to me.
Jazz at Midnite is not sonic honey but I really enjoyed it for what it is. There is some amazing playing on this record. My only complaint about the performance. — and it’s a minor one — is that it’s too hot. It starts pedal-to-the-metal from the first moment and rarely slows down to breathe.
The jazz jewel of the August RSD drop for me is Gene Russell, no contest. I’d still like to pick up Porto Novo, Monk and a couple of others so consider my opinion incomplete.
Outside of jazz, two other records took me by surprise: Brian Eno - Rams and Martin Denny - Exotic Moog. Take my praise of Eno with a grain of salt because I’m a borderline superfan but Rams is easily one of my 2020 faves. So good. I was not expecting this.
Cult-lounge is what immediately comes to mind about Martin Denny but Exotic Moog is far from it. His Moog imaginations of these covers are really great, especially given the context of it being within the first five years of Moog recordings and electronic music in general. Great pressing too.
Alfredo Linares Y Su Sonora - Yo Traigo Boogaloo completely lived up to expectations and is awesome as well. So glad to have found it!
Going back to Rams, listen to this song and tell me it’s not fantastic.
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