Hot Stamper Pressings of the Music of Art Pepper Available Now
UPDATE 2026
Our first and only shootout produced the borderline Hot Stamper pressing you see described below.
It earned a passable grade of 1+ on side one, which means it would not qualify as a Hot Stamper pressing, since both sides have to have grades of 1.5+ to qualify these days.
Side two was much better than side one however. It’s something that happens frequently in our shootouts, although oddly enough nobody seems to notice but us.
I am being facetious of course. Nobody else notices these things because nobody does shootouts under rigorously controlled conditions the way we do.
The fact that only one side had excellent sound means two things:
- The first line in the review below is inaccurate, and
- We were never that motivated to getting another shootout going for the album, although I expect we will before too long.
Our 2012 Review
This is an excellent recording from 1980, one of the best of the later Art Pepper period during which Art was signed with Galaxy and was devoting his remaining years to playing and recording as much as possible.
The album is engineered by Baker Bigsby, as is Art Pepper Today (1978), my personal favorite Art Pepper album and amazing sounding if you can find the right pressing. (We’re working on it.)
“When Art Pepper died at the age of 56, he had attained his goal of becoming the world’s great altoist.” AMG
Like other Bigsby engineered titles, when you get a killer copy the bass is big, solid and it goes DEEP.
There are a lot of stinkers in the Art Pepper catalog from this era. (Acoustic Sounds released a few of them on 180 gram as a matter of fact. What a waste of good vinyl.)
But this album is actually quite good. Art plays in an energetic style, and Stanley Cowell on the piano is excellent as well.
Side One
A+, very rich and musical. It doesn’t have quite the clarity of the best, but it’s a big step up from the typical pressing.
Side Two
A++, much fuller and more spacious than most, with real energy and dynamics. So good! Note how little stereo information there is on side one. Most everything is happening in the middle. An homage to mono? Who knows? But it works, it’s very natural.
Side One
Mr. Big Falls His J.G. Hand
Close To You Alone
There Will Never Be Another You
Side Two
Melolev
Goodbye, Again!
Brazil
AMG Review
This is one of the lesser-known Art Pepper Galaxy sessions. In addition to pianist Stanley Cowell, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Carl Burnett, guitarist Howard Roberts helps out on two songs. Three alternate takes are added to the original six-tune program [CD only!], which is highlighted by “There Will Never Be Another You” and a passionate rendition of “Brazil.”
Further Reading