#kevin-gray — Public Fediverse posts

Freddie Roach, Good Move!, 1964 on Blue Note

Freddie Roach’s third album as a leader, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliff with Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Eddie Wright (guitar), and Clarence Johnston (drums).

Tunes include “It Ain’t Necessarily So” (Gerswhin) and Pastel (Garner) as well as “T’Ain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That You Do It).” Great soul-jazz organ here.

My copy—via Amazon—is the Tone Poet Series reissue from 2024, with lacquer cut by Kevin Gray and pressing at RTI. As you can expect from this series it’s a great sounding pressing with lovely packaging.

Big John Patton, Let ‘Em Roll, 1966 on Blue Note

Patton joined by Otis Finch (drums), Grant Green (guitar), and Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. Fantastic Hammond B3 driven mid-sixties Blue Note jazz – can’t go wrong.

My copy—direct from Amazon, which often has deals on these—is the Blue Note Tone Poet series reissue from 2023, with lacquer cut by Kevin Grey and Joe Harley and pressing at RTI.

Lou Donaldson, Midnight Creeper, 1968 on Blue Note

Donaldson joined here by Leo Morris (drums), George Benson (guitar), Lonnie Smith (organ) and Blue Mitchell (trumpet). Very groovy soul-jazz LP from late sixties Blue Note.

Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs and produced by Francis Wolff.

My copy—via Amazon—is the Blue Note Tone Poet reissue from 2024, mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed at RTI.

Booker Ervin, The Freedom Book, 1964 on Prestige

Sixth full-length with Ervin as leader, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in 1963, for Prestige. Ervin is joined here by Jaki Byard (piano), Richard Davis (bass), and Alan Dawson (who was a drum instructor at Berklee in Boston) (drums).

My copy—via a private sale—is the 2023 Analogue Productions / Craft Recordings reissue, in the Prestige Stereo Series. It was mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed at QRP on 180g vinyl.

Blue Mitchell, Down With It, 1966 on Blue Note

Another fantastic Blue Note jazz LP, this came out originally in 1966. It features Mitchell (trumpet) with Junior Cook (tenor sax), Chick Corea (piano), Gene Taylor (bass), and Aloysius Foster (drums), and was recorded at Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey.

My copy- via a private sale – is the Blue Note Tone Poet reissue from 2024, cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed at RTI. Great sound and packaging.

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.

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 Gray and pressed at Optimal Media GmbH – sounds great.

#nowplaying #vinyl #vinylrecords #MilesDavis #PaulChambers #JimmyCobb #KevinGray #WyntonKelly #SonnyStitt #Jazz #CoolJazz #Bop

Tuesday night #jazz #record. The #paulchambers sextet and a it’s a stellar lineup with #johncoltrane #donaldbyrd #horacesilver #phillyhoejones and #kennyburrell. Some killer playing. Wish I had an OG but this the #Kevingray and #stevehoffman 45rpm remaster and it sounds pretty good for a modern pressing. #jazzvinyl #jazzrecords #recordcollection @vinylrecords

Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes (box set), 2024 on Craft Recordings

This was one of my favorite albums of the 1980s (it came out on Slash Records in 1983), and I’ve been looking forever for a decent copy on vinyl. This box set, as you’d expect from Craft, is amazing. It includes a newly remastered version of the self-titled album itself, plus additional LPs of demos and live recordings, and a 7″ single: Ugly / Gimme the Car.

When it was first released, the […]

#1980s #1983 #2024 #BeneathItAllCafé #boxSet #craftRecordings #FolkCity #KevinGray #Milwaukee #Reissue #RoughTrade #SlashRecords #TheJazzGallery #vinyl #vinylcollection #ViolentFemmes

https://wp.me/p4tTZ-6HW

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 – all-analog 180g vinyl pressings mastered […]

#1960s #1966 #BlueNote #BlueNoteClassicVinylSeries #BobbyHutcherson #CedarWalton #ChrisFuller #jazz #JoeChambers #JoeHenderson #KevinGray #LeeMorgan #OptimalGmBH #RonCarter #RudyVanGelder #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

https://wp.me/p4tTZ-6Fw

#NowSpinning #ThisIsTheMoment by #KennyDorham, a UK #RSD2024 exclusive.

This is a collection of #jazz standards sung and played by Dorham. Whilst his singing isn’t really my thing, the playing is bang on.

#NewLand have done a great job with the package - high quality sleeves, perfect pressing, and mastered by #KevinGray.

In you’re new to #Dorham, start with #QuietKenny. But if you’re a fan, this is worth having.

#VinylRecords #NowPlaying #Vinyl

Anthony Wilson - Hackensack West

Wilson, playing on his own and not as part of Diana Krall's band, cut these sides at Kevin Gray's studio (Hackensack West).

Great playing & sound, as you'd expect, mixed in an 'old' jazz style (guitar left, piano and bass center, drums right)…in fact, given it's supposed to sound like an RvG recording, it's weird to have a good sounding piano.

No doubt he'll ‘fix' that in later recordings. ;-)

#nowplaying #vinyl #jazz #anthonywilson #kevingray #rudyvangelder

#NowSpinning another #VinylRecord from my Christmas haul. This is Volume 1 by #MilesDavis from the #BlueNoteClassics series, cut by #KevinGray.

On a first listen, I was a little underwhelmed &, whilst this isn’t as scintillating as the Prestige sets, there is a lot to enjoy here. Enigma, Stockholm & the final track are standouts for me. Plus the line up is standout.

The recording is iffy in places, but overall glad to have this.

#NowListening #NowPlaying #Vinyl #Jazz

#NowSpinning #Infinity by #LeeMorgan. This is yet another Christmas pressie & another great album. I’m a total #LeeMorgan nut & against the prevailing opinion, I think this is a really strong set. Infinity, Nettie B. & Dolls, in particular, stand out.

As with all the #TonePoet’s, this is top quality stuff. Top notch jacket, flat centred vinyl, mastered beautifully by #KevinGray & the SQ is incredible.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Jazz #Music

It’s worth adding that it is unlikely that these are AAA (the liner notes make reference to the fact that these records are reconstructed from the original master tapes). However, both records are cut at 45 by #KevinGray.

And the sound of both is just stunning - think UHQR, OneStep, Craft Small Batch… It really is that good.

Admittedly this is my kind of music, but both record capture Broonzy delivering an incredibly intimate performance - guitar, bottleneck, and *that* voice.

Sticking with #hardbop & #NowSpinning #Cookin’ with the #MilesDavis Quintet, another fantastic repress of the #Prestige series by #AnalogueProductions. #Relaxin’ remains my favourite of this run of early Miles, but some of the playing here is smoking. The line up is, once again, incredible, the set list nigh on perfect, with that irresistible swing that just makes you want to get up and dance.

It’s yet another #KevinGray cut & is perfect.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Jazz

Another Sunday & I’m #NowSpinning #Indestructible by #ArtBlakey & the Jazz Messengers.

This adds #CurtisFuller bringing Mingus-eque vibes on the trombone, but, imo, #WayneShorter is the star unleashing some killer sax. Plus it has the irrepressible #LeeMorgan who is worth the price of entry alone.

This #record is cut by #KevinGray as part of the #BlueNote Classics series which, in a world of spiraling #vinyl costs, still represents great value.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Jazz

Long day & in need of a pick me up & so I’m #NowSpinning #TheBigBeat by #ArtBlakey and the Jazz Messengers.

#Moanin’ is my favourite Blakey album with this a very close second. The lineup here is peerless, #LeeMorgan, #BobbyTimmons, #WayneShorter, & Blakey just smokes.

Every track is a winner & It’s Only A Paper Moon is one hell of a way to sign off.

This is another #KevinGray cut from the consistently great #BlueNote Classics series.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #Vinyl #VinylRecords #Jazz

Home after a hard day at work & so, naturally, I’m #NowSpinning #Relaxin’ with the #MilesDavis Quintet.

This is cut by #KevinGray for the #Prestige series by #AnalogueProductions & it’s a really close call between this & the recent Craft Small Batch one step cut by #BernieGrundman. I’m glad to have both, & most times incline towards the Craft - but the AP is smoother - which suits the music on a night like this :)

#NowListening #NowPlaying #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Jazz

Sunshine & blazing heat is perfect for some West Coast #jazz. So I’m #NowSpinning #LeeKonitz Plays with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet & it’s a swinging, toe-tapping delight. Carson Smith, in particular, is stand out, particularly on the opening track. Oh, & Chet Baker makes an appearance.

This is another #TonePoet cut by #KevinGray & it really is well done. Great SQ, well put together & this particular copy cost me £3.99. Yep you read that right.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Vinyl

Early Friday finish, returned home to this & so I’m #NowSpinning #TheloniousMonk with #JohnColtrane from the all new #Craft reissue of the #OJC series &, on the basis of a first listen, it’s a beaut. High quality tip on jacket & reproduction of the original artwork, flawless pressing, incredible musicianship & playing which is delicate & wild, melodic & then inventive in turn.

This is cut by #KevinGray & so the SQ is bang on.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #Vinyl #VinylRecords #Jazz

Returned from a few days away, & I’m #NowSpinning #Steamin’ with the #MilesDavis Quintet from the recent repressed #Prestige batch from #AnalogueProductions.

As is typically the case with this series, this is a #KevinGray cut & sounds utterly sublime. I do have the 1989 OJC with which to compare & the AP wins out by a margin with greater punch, better tone on the horns & more space.

The pressing itself is flawless & the jacket high quality.

#NowListening #NowPlaying #Vinyl #VinylRecords #Jazz

Frantic day & no better way to chill out than red wine & smooth #jazz & so I’m #NowSpinning #QuietKenny by #KennyDorham.

This is, imo, one of those rare perfect albums: the composition, the musicianship, the vibrant, full sound of a band swinging in perfect synchronicity.

This is another #KevinGray cut for the Prestige series by #AnalogueProductions & the entire thing oozes quality. Immaculate pressing, immersive SQ, & a high quality jacket.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #Vinyl #VinylRecords

Change of mood & #NowSpinning #LushLife by #JohnColtrane.

I have a real thing for the early Prestige mono series & this is a real favourite: #Coltrane is on fire across these sessions - yet never less than melodic.

This is the #KevinGray cut for the #AnalogueProductions reissue & the sound is lush, expansive, & yet natural. In particular, Coltrane’s tone is nailed down, centred, in the room - & the drums & bass thunder.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Jazz

Coffee, nowhere to be, little else to do, & so I’m #NowSpinning #FathersAndSons by #MuddyWaters.

This is the latest dispatch from #VinylMePlease &, as per their other offerings, the presentation is super high quality. I’m not super-familiar with this album, but the pressing is clean, flat, & centred. This is a #KevinGray cut & the SQ is warm, smooth & reminds me a little of the feel of Howlin’ Wolf’s London Sessions.

#NowListening #NowPlaying #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Music #Blues #VMP

Beginning of the weekend & I’m #NowSpinning another birthday gift.

This, #WorkinWithTheMilesDavisQuintet is the first entry of the new #OriginalJazzClassics series by #Craft & it really is beautifully done. High quality tip on jacket, beautifully reproduced art work, immaculately pressed, cut by #KevinGray, with all the rich, spacious dynamics you might expect. It makes me very excited for the rest of this series.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #Vinyl #VinylRecords #Jazz #MilesDavis

Chilling sipping fine rye & #NowSpinning #WaltzForDebby by the #BillEvans Trio.

Cliché, I know, but this is my favourite of his #Riverside output. So smooth, refined & the playing is melodic & nimble.

This, from the boxset by #AnalogueProductions, is cut at 45 by #KevinGray. My set is flawless, flat, dynamic, & ‘in the room’ real.

As a Trio, there is telepathy at work here, but I find myself leaning into the playing of #ScottLaFaro.

#NowPlaying #NowListening #VinylRecords #Vinyl #Jazz

A word on the pressing: as is the norm with these Tone Poet releases, everything is impeccable. The record is flat, centred & flawless. The gatefold jacket is heavy weight card, high gloss & the reproduction perfect. The addition of session photos into the gatefold is really welcome.

The record is mastered by #KevinGray & so you know what you are getting: whisper quiet blacks, great tonality, & spectacular dynamics.

Oh, & this album, like the #Coltrane, has #PaulChambers underpinning it all.

Coming back to this, I forgot what a great job #KevinGray did with the mastering on this.

I’ve a bunch of records by Mingus including OneSteps, 45, stereo, & mono cuts. Even some of the best struggle to keep everything in check: there is just so much going on. Oftentimes, the tell is in the bass which can either become lost or distort into mush.

That isn’t the case here. You get a proper sense of scale with utterly mad dynamics… And yet everything is nimble, delicate even.

Really great SQ.