Tag: Optimal GmbH
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Grant Green, Green is Beautiful, 1970 on Blue Note
Green joined here by Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Claude Bartee (tenor sax), Emmanuel Riggens (organ), Jimmy Lewis (bass), and Idris Muhammad (drums) plus Richard Lendrum (bongos) and Candido Camero (congas). Recorded in 1970 by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. My copy—via Salem Flea Marketplace—is the 2023 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series reissue, mastered by…
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Oscar Peterson, “Motions and Emotions,” 1970 on MPS
Oscar Peterson covering “popular” tunes, including “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Ode to Billy Joe.” I know some folks will find this schmaltzy but as an Oscar Peterson fan I really enjoy it. My copy is the 2018 reissue in the Ambassadors for MPS series, on 180g vinyl pressed at Optimal GmbH and an insert reproducing…
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Bud Powell, Time Waits (The Amazing Bud Powell, Volume 4), 1958 on Blue Note
Powell joined by Sam Jones and Philly Joe Jones, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack NJ, and produced by Alfred Lion. Sleeve notes by Leonard Feather. My copy is the 2022 Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series reissue, pressed at Optimal GmbH and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent – wonderful pressing.
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Various Artists, Here It Is: A Tribute To Leonard Cohen, 2022 on Blue Note
Wonderful compilation of covers in tribute to Leonard Cohen by a collection of artists, including: It’s challenging, as Cohen songs (“Hallelujah” in particular) have been so heavily covered but I still think people manage to bring something new to these renditions – highly recommended. My copy—direct from Blue Note—is the standard black vinyl 2xLP version,…
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Herbie Hancock, Inventions and Dimensions, 1964 on Blue Note
Hancock is joined by Paul Chambers, Willie Bobo and Chihuahua Martinez—though it’s not really what you’d call a Latin jazz album so much as post-bop or modal. Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder at his Englewood Cliffs studio. My copy—direct from Blue Note—is the 2019 Blue Note 80 Vinyl Series reissue mastered for vinyl by Kevin…
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David Byrne & St. Vincent, Love This Giant, 2012 on 4AD
Two of the most creative and eclectic artists and musicians collaborate here on a brass-band heavy record. (St. Vincent also contributed to Here Lies Love, Byrne’s collaboration with Fatboy Slim – a concept album / rock musical about Imelda Marcos). The Dap-Kings and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra join on “The One Who Broke Your Heart”…
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Joe Henderson, Mode for Joe, 1966 on Blue Note
This was Henderson’s fifth studio album (as a band leader), joined by: Lee Morgan (trumpet), Chris Fuller (trombone), Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), Cedar Walton (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Joe Chambers (drums). Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. Really wonderful Blue Note 60s jazz. My copy is a 2024 reissue in the Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series…
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Joy Division, Closer, 1980 on Factory Records.
Joy Division, Closer, 1980 on Factory Records. This is the 40th anniversary reissue on clear vinyl pressed at Optimal GmBH