Robert Brook has a blog which he calls
A GUIDE FOR THE DEDICATED ANALOG AUDIOPHILE
Robert tries to remain positive when choosing the words that would best describe the award winning Impex release of Legrand Jazz. In the end he goes with the spoken word over the written one.
Years ago I wrote about how important the Legrand Jazz album was for me in my growth as a critical listener. It’s yet another example of an album that helped make me a better audiophile by showing me the error of my tweaking and tuning ways.
Let’s watch the video and see what Robert has learned about Impex’s recent release.
Legrand Jazz (featuring Miles Davis) – the 2019 IMPEX Double 45 rpm
Michael Fremer gives the Impex pressings an 11 for sound. He writes (bolding added by me):
“This IMPEX reissue is sourced from an “analog mix-down transfer of the original 1958 work tape by Mark Wilder at Battery Studios” and cut by Chris Bellman and Bob Donnelly at Bernie Grundman Mastering on Grundman’s all-tube mastering system. I have a clean, original 6-Eye pressing that this superbly pressed reissue betters in every way. This will make both your stereo and your heart sing. Some of the greatest jazz musicians of that or any era wailing and clearly having a Legrand time. Limited to 3000 copies. Don’t miss it!”
Who are you going to believe, the Self-Appointed Vinyl Experts of the World and Bestowers of Prestigious Audio Awards (which you may have never heard of; I sure hadn’t), or some guy who’s just dedicated to being an Analog Audiophile and knows a good record when he hears one? (Or doesn’t hear one, as the case may be.)
Like Robert, I tried being kinder and gentler, but it didn’t take. I may resolve to try harder in 2024. Then again, I may not. If we’re nicer to the people currently making Heavy Vinyl records, aren’t we running the risk, a la P.J. O’Rourke, of encouraging them?
Various and Sundry
We just finished a shootout for the originals of Legrand Jazz and will be listing them soon.
We’ve also played the Impex pressing and will be discussing its sound at some point.
More on Robert’s system here. You may notice that it has a lot in common with the one we have.