Hot Stamper Pressings of the Music of Jimi Hendrix Available Now
One of our good customers had this to say about some Hot Stampers he purchased recently (italics and bolding added):
Hey Tom,
Well, you found another INCREDIBLE Hot Stamper with “Axis: Bold as Love.” What a mind-blowing experience!
This was at least my fifth copy of this album and it shamed all other sad sacks I had bought.
I really don’t know how you do it, but I’m infinitely grateful that you do. The notion of a “great sounding Hendrix album” almost sounds like an oxymoron, but again you struck sonic gold and unearthed one of those rare few that offer a deeply satisfying listening experience – to put it mildly!
My appreciation for Hendrix’s towering musical achievements has doubled, maybe even tripled, from hearing this Hot Stamper. That’s quite a feat for an artist I already considered to be one of the best ever! All this because of those magical Hot Stamper grooves. This goes to show what a difference amazing sound can have on the ability to appreciate an album or artist.
Oh, and I once owned a copy of the abysmal Classic pressing. Among its many other failings is the decision to re-release it in mono. Mono!? “Axis” is one of the creative examples of stereo mixing known to man! Reducing this album to mono is a travesty, but I guess that didn’t bother Classic Records.
Anyhow, keep ’em coming, Tom! You indeed sell the best sounding records in the world.
Dan L.
Dan,
Thanks for your letter. We didn’t care for the Classic Records Axis in mono either. We wrote at the time:
One of the worst things those dummies at Classic ever did. The mono mix sounds just plain awful.
Their reissue of the mono mix is flat and dry with practically no Tubey Magic whatsoever.
It positively screams “CHEAP REISSUE.” That two word description reminds me of this record, although to be fair the sound is quite a bit worse on the Hendrix.
If you want to know more about records that really sound bad in mono, we’ve played and reviewed a few.
Best, TP
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