John's Space

Now spinning, Loggins & Messina “Mother Lode. I know my good friend @merelbregante0422 will say that he finds another album by Loggins & Messina to be the hidden gem among their output, but to me this album is the one that, for better or worse, marks the beginning of the end of Loggins & Messina. Yet while this album was the last one that continued the tradition the group had built with their first four releases, it never quite garnered the acclaim of those previous albums. And that’s too bad. With songs like Jim Messina’s “Be Free” and “Changes” you have two songs that can stand with any in the L&M catalog. Plus the musicianship here is, arguably, the best I’ve heard from the group. If you’re a fan, you probably already have this LP. But when, I ask you, was the last time you gave it a spin? Probably far too long ago. So I say it’s time to dig it out and listen to this wonderful album. If you’ve never heard it, you’re in for a treat. Highly recommended. #lp #rock #county #music #album #albumcoverart #vinyl #vinylcollection #record #recordcollection #stereo #logginsandmessina #audio #analog #audiophile https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbH_nTgiue/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qepxqod7br9h

Aural Musings has posted a new review of this album. Click the link and check it out. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMauriceCrossettIii/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYxCsYAM1j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dxel1d4kqei2

Relaxing into my evening with a cold Conehead microbrew from Zero Gravity brewing located an hour away from me in Burlington, Vermont. What makes this beer special is that it cost me nada, zip, bupkis. My wife found four cans left behind by guests at the resort she works at. So I get to enjoy a cold brew with the very first SACD I ever heard/bought - the Ray Brown, Monty Alexander, Russell Malone self titled disc. I can still recall hearing both this disc and SACD for the first time on an aisle end display at the late Circuit City using a Sony 5-disc changer and I forget the speakers. I was floored. I bought the player on the spot and the disc with it. That was many years ago, and the musicianship of these three still brings me immense pleasure. And with my current setup, I’m hearing this recording as if for the first time. What a great way for me to begin this evenings listening. #SACD #jazz #music #highresolutionaudio #digital #audio #stereo #Telarc #albumcover #album #highend #audiophile #microbrew #conehead #beer #zerogravitybrewery #relaxing #beverage #enjoyment https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRqfjZHFx9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i32rss8sxmzw

Opening my listening day with this classic LP from Gil Evans - “Out Of The Cool” on the Alto Analogue label. It Gil with fourteen other musicians (such as Ron Carter, Johnny Coles, Budd Johnson, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Knepper and others) playing Gil’s arrangements of five tunes, three standards and two Evans originals (Le Nevada and Sunken Treasure). Recorded by RVG, the sound of this reissue is outstanding! Power when needed, and delicacy when called for - and everything in between. The tone and timbre is spot on. The soundstage is wide and deep. But to be honest, while of course you want the best sound (and this Alto Analogue LP is the bomb), you’re buying this for the music which is out of this world. Evans understood better than most how to arrange things, both familiar and unfamiliar, in ways that grab the listener and hold your attention till the end. Most highly recommended. #LP #jazz #music #gilevans #record #recordcollection #altoanalogue #album #albumcover #albumcoverart #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylrecords #highend #analog #audiophile #audiophilepressing https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQ_vZYgJ7k/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1asi0onm5fe5w

Opening my Sunday morning with one of my favorite jazz artists, and a great tenor sax player, Ben Webster, from his album “At The Renaissance” as reissued by Analogue Productions. Recorded on October 14, 1960 by Howard Holzer and mastered for reissue by the late, great Doug Sax, and pressed at RTI, this album really shines. Webster along with Jim Hall, Jimmy Robles, Red Mitchell and Frank Butler out on the West Coast on Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California. Webster was in top form, as were his band mates. This is a live recording, and there’s a bit too much left/right to the sound for my liking, but that is offset by the tone and timbre of Webster’s tenor sax. His big, warm detailed sound (just listen for his breath on the reed). Hall’s guitar is a wonderful choice for a front line mate to Webster. And what needs be said about the rhythm section? These guys (Rowles especially) could play anything. Here they dive into five standards and one tune Webster had intimate knowledge of, Duke Ellington’s “Caravan (written while Webster was a member of the Ellington orchestra.) I’ve never heard an original pressing, so I can’t say how much of an improvement this reissue is. But I can state that I doubt it tops this LP. Long (LONG) OOP, you’ll have to scour the used market for a copy. But damn, is it worth it. Most highly recommended. #lp #record #recordcollector #recordcollection #recordlabel #album #albumcover #vinyl #vinylrecords #stereo #analog #benwebster #highend #audiophile #audiophilevinyl #audiophilepressing https://www.instagram.com/p/BtJRbnHgXqi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u0u3l4gywu54

I can think of few better ways to ease into a Saturday morning than with the @purepleasurerecords reissue of this Art Farmer / Jim Hall title “Big Blues.” Farmer and Hall were a nigh on prefect compliment for each other. Neither is a technical show off. Both are gentle, relaxed players who get the notes perfectly right without any apparent effort. Ably assisted by bassist Mick Moore, vibist Mike Mainieri and drummer Steve Gadd, Farmer and Hall float over four tune (thus giving them the chance to stretch out and build a quality tune that eases your subconscious into it happy place. Recorded in 1978 at Electric Ladyland studios (not exactly a beacon for jazz musicians) for Creed Taylor’s CTI label. This reissue was remastered by Ray Staff and pressed at Pallas, so you just know that everything that was on the tapes made it fully intact on this record, which is flat and dead silent - which allows the music to float out of your speakers and send you off into musical dreamland. My only regret is that Farmer and Hall didn’t do a follow up album or two based on just how good “Big Blues” is. Grab a copy while it’s still in print. Very highly recommended. #lp #record #recordcollection #album #albumcover #vinyl #vinylrecords #stereo #analog #highend #jazz #music #audiophile #audiophilerecords #audiophilepressing https://www.instagram.com/p/BtGkaapA4Z0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=63c0n4cehlak

Closing out my last weekend day with a combination of Thelonious Monk (Straight, No Chaser - fully restored SACD) and an Alchemist Focal Banger microbrew. Man, it just doesn’t get much better. The Magneplanar 1.7i’s on their new Magna Riser stands allow me to hear deeper into the music, and the Focal Banger (while not quite up to Heady Topper standards, lets me taste my beer as typical American brews never could. Best of both worlds. #beer #microbrew #thealchemist #focalbanger #sacd #jazz #theloniousmonkquartet #music #stereo #audio #highend #audiophile #magneplanar #magnarisers #digital https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_v4NIAzRt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s3ujmkafjvdt

The big rig with its newest addition - Magna Riser Ascension stands for the Magneplanar 1.7i’s. I’ll be writing about them on my Facebook page: Aural Musings when I’ve had a chance to get to know them better. But first impressions are positive. #stands #speakerstands #magnarisers #ascensionstands #stereo #magnaplanar #1.7i #audio #highend #audiophile https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs08thTA8ab/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1emcoqd49ceto

The latest Van Morrison off Tidal MQA at 24/96. The Prophet Speaks is Morrison’s third album in 18 months. You rarely if ever see that kind of production from artists today (though it wasn’t unusual in my youth), and especially out of a man of 73 with fifty two years of performing behind him. Yet here Van, ably backed by the Joey DeFrancesco trio, sounds like he’s having a great time singing these R&B/jazz/soul/blues tunes. The music is vintage Van, the man never changes. He knows what he wants, and sings it. He leaves it up to you to decide if you like it or not - but trust me you will (how can you help but not fall into the infectious groove Van lays down). If you’re a Van Morrison fan, you don’t want to miss this one. Most highly recommended. #MQA #Tidal #streaming #highresolution #24/96 #blues #R&B #jazz #music #stereo #album #digital #stereo #audio #highend #audiophile https://www.instagram.com/p/BsswFKfA8Hp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e7jymqiuyp0n

There is a new review of this album up now on my Facebook page: Aural Musings. I think you’re going to want to read this one - and then purchase the LP. Check it out. #LP #doublerecordset #analog # record #record #recordcollection #audio #highend #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylrecord #audiophile https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsq1RZdgXFJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s13w046yvvez

One of the lesser known releases by Blue Note records in 1962 was this album recorded in France featuring drummer Kenny Clarke and pianist/composer Francy Boland. Together with six other European musicians laid down the tracks for “The Golden 8.” Pulling out my test pressing copy to give it a spin. What was originally released only in mono, here, on this Music Matters 33 reissue is now in full, glorious stereo. The music is wonderful and the sound is, as one expects from any Music Matters release, superb. Brass has that metallic bite, drums snap and cymbals shimmer, bass is deep and appropriately woody, and the horns have that reedy sound as air is blown into the mouthpiece. I can highly (very, very highly) recommend any Music Matters LP as the very best way to hear everything Blue Note captured on tape. This one is a don’t miss. #lp #jazz #music #musicmattersjazz #album #albumartwork #testpressing #record #recordcollection #recordcollector #audio #stereo #highend #audiophile #audiophilepressing #vinyl #vinylcollection https://www.instagram.com/p/BslGEusg3qA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dd8l5ox1gkku

Received word that my new Magna Riser stands for my Magneplanar 1.7i speakers have shipped. Hopefully by next Friday they’ll be here. Can’t wait. #magnarisers #speakerstands #stability #audio #highend #audiophile #equipment https://www.instagram.com/p/BsjW426A6wc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sr62ar6ostm7

I have a new review of this wonderful LP up now on my Facebook Page: Aural Musings. Check it out. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMauriceCrossettIii/photos/a.212825918841010/938069796316615/?type=3&theater. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsisxX1gyJc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w3lzon9osbzi

SPending part of my weekend listening to the recent SACD of Michel Legrand’s jazz album - Legrand Jazz. I’ve dug my vinyl copy for years, but I’m really enjoying this hybrid stereo SACD (with HDCD Redbook layer) on the Impex label. Not quite as much left/right sonic landscape as the LP offers (excellent remastering job by Chris Bellman and Bob Donnelly at Bernie Grundman Mastering (on an all tube cutting system), and authored for DSD by the great Gus Skinas at Super Audio Center. Legrand uses 30+ different musicians in three distinct groups to make his arrangements of these jazz standards come alive. Among those participating are Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Phil Woods, Paul Chambers, Gene Quill, Milt Hinton, Art Farmer and a host of other names you’ll recognize. Legrand’s arrangements bring out the beauty of each tune, and his choice of soloists only enhance that beauty. Whether you chose the vinyl or (as I have here, the SACD), you’re guaranteed of getting world class jazz playing. And the recording, which was always very good, has been enhanced by the work of the Impex team. Instruments, whether alone or ensemble, stand out uniquely themselves. Sure, it helps when you’re using the cream of the crop, but the care and love of the mastering team (in this the Impex folks) takes fine and moves it up a notch or three. I put this album on par with the best of Gil Evans when it comes to jazz arranging - and old GIl never gathered himself a cast quite this special. This album is a can’t miss. It comes with my absolute highest recommendation. #SACD #hybrid #HDCD #stereo #jazz #music #album #audio #impexrecords #highend #audiophile #digital #michellegrand https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbC2fwA-mq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wnkflgic7w3

I have a new review of this album up now on my Facebook Page: Aural Musings. You won't want to miss it. https://www.facebook.com/JohnMauriceCrossettIii/posts/932184340238494?__tn__=K-R https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTS6A3AUnu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3t2gjzkghokz

Closing my night by digging my way through this wonderful box set from Pure Pleasure Records of Art Pepper’s 1980 stay at London’s Ronnie Scott Club. The seven (7!!!) LP’s that make up this box contain Art’s complete shows during his engagement at the club. The band is Art, Milcho Leviev, Tony Dumas, and Carl Burnnett. To say these guys were smoking is to do that term an injustice. Art was in top form, and his playing truly inspired his band mates. Parts of these four sets were originally released on two LP’s, “Blues For The Fisherman” and “True Blues” on the Mole Jazz label (good luck trying to find a copy of either, especially in mint condition). So getting these sets reissued in their entirety is a blessing. Mastered by Ray Staff and pressed at Palas, you know these albums are going to sound the best they can. If you care anything for jazz, you better get on the stick and contact @purepleasurerecords as to availability. I hear this box is starting to get low. This box comes with my highest recommendation. #lp #boxset #jazz #music #liverecording #artpepper #stereo #album #albumcover #record #recordcollector #recordcollection #analog #audio #vinyl #vinylcollection #highend #purepleasurerecords #audiophile #audiophilepressings (at Vermont) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsHH26PAEQx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7biy4x0icb0i

First LP of 2019 - the Blue Note Records debut album by Herbie Hancock from the 2006 Cisco Records reissue. Sheer bliss! #lp #album #albumcover #analog #stereo #jazz #music #bluenoterecords #herbiehancock #record #recordcollection #vinyl #vinylrecords #highend #audiophile https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGYskXA3HQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9l3m4b247kn9