Great music, exceptional SQ
5 Stars
Posted
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
by
Ron from Kenosha
Music: 5/5 stars. Just forget that this is a soundtrack to a 1960 documentary about surfing. The record stands on its own as an absolutely fantastic jazz recording. I'd describe the music as transitional between bebop and hardbop--if you have the Carmel Jones Tone Poet, it's like that. Carmel plays on this record, as does Dave Peacock (who also played on the Carmel Jones TP) and Shelly Manne. The whole band sounds fantastic as a unit, and individually. Most of these cats aren't quite household names but the playing is nonetheless top- notch. And the recording has high replay value. It’s in heavy rotation (no pun intended) on my system.
SQ & pressing: 5/5 stars. This is a 100% analog production mastered by Kevin Gray. It is a $40 1x33rpm that sounds like a $60 2x45. It has a lovely warm analog sound, and the clarity and soundstage are just stunning. The mix & EQ (from the original master tape) are perfect.