A day of #writing & so I’m kicking off the #listening with this, #JackJohnson, one of my favourite #MilesDavis albums from this period.
This is the #VinylMePlease pressing from the Electric Miles set - it sounds great, even better than the #MoFi imo.
Exec team at Denver-based music subscription service Vinyl Me, Please is ousted and sued “for allegedly funneling company funds to their pricy pet project” https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/03/vinyl-me-please-denver-fires-ceo-lawsuit-rino-plant/ #music #news #vinyl #vinylmeplease
❝When, by late 2023, the pressing plant was still not able to press records or fulfill orders, the board began to investigate the relationship and business dealings between the pressing plant and #VinylMePlease.❞ https://businessden.com/2024/05/03/record-scratch-vinyl-company-fires-and-sues-ceo-cfo-over-rino-plant/
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
A perfect debut album, with nary a misstep.
VMP pressing mastered by Barry Grint, spread over 2LPs, gives everything space to breathe.
#NowSpinning #RoomOnFire by #TheStrokes.
I’m a huge fan & while this didn’t have the impact of Is This It, it’s packed with infectious hooks, irresistible riffs, a clever turns of phrase. Side A, with Reptilia, Automatic Stop, & Between Love & Hate takes some beating. & Meet Me In the Bathroom oozes cool.
This is a #RyanKSmith cut on behalf of #VinylMePlease & it has punch, swagger & dynamics to burn.
#NowSpinning #BitchesBrew by #MilesDavis courtesy of the #VinylMePlease #ElectricMiles boxset.
This is such a great set, impeccably done. I’ve got the #MoFi versions of about half of these, & the #VMP is better. That is particularly the case with BB - the VMP sounds edgier, more dynamic, as it should.
I’m still new to this period of Miles - but BB is monumental: unique, challenging, haunting, & lyrical.
Miles Davis - In a Silent Way
This is a real favorite of the "electric Miles" period. It's such an interesting use of the *studio* as a tool for giving structure to improvisation, selecting out the bits and pieces that work and then editing them together.
Despite the 'electric' tag, this is a really "open", meditative record, given a lovely remastering and pressing by VMP as part of the Electric Miles box set.
I’m #NowSpinning the first of this month’s #VinylMePlease haul, #IsThisIt by #TheStrokes.
I truly love this album, &, again, #VMP delivers: flat, centred, detail, but not at the expense of punch.
The album itself is a true modern classic: great song after great song, hooks, melodies, & plenty of swagger. & #BarelyLegal is immense.
My one complaint: I wished they’d gone with the EU ass & glove cover. But you can’t have everything I suppose.
I’m #NowSpinning one new record while I wait for the delivery of another haul.
This is the #VinylMePlease issue of #Weathervanes, the latest by #JasonIsbell and the 400 Unit.
After getting into Isbell & the 400 via S/T (If We Were Vampires is just outstanding), I found Reunions to be a touch underwhelming & a little dad-rock-lite, truth be told. On a first listen, this is a lot more to my taste. #StrawberryWoman & #WhiteBeretta are standout.
I’m returning to this June’s #VinylMePlease drop & I’m #NowSpinning #Transatlanticism by #DeathCabForCutie.
This is an album I really wasn’t that familiar with, but it’s hugely grown on me. Which is a strength of these subscription services. They encourage you to seek out the less familiar.
And the title song is so, so good.
More generally, #VMP do a great job - bob on mastering, plush packaging, great customer service. What’s not to love?
Still making my way through June’s #VMP drop & so I’m #NowSpinning #HighTopMountain by #SturgillSimpson.
I’m generally so-so with country, but Simpson is an exception. Just love the bluegrass inflected vibes throughout this: just great melodies & razor sharp lyricism.
This is a #RyanKSmith cut &, once again, #VinylMePlease has done a great job. I’m normally indifferent when it comes to vinyl variations - but this really looks the part.
Heatwave back with a vengeance & I’m spinning #InHotHouse by #BenWebster.
While not hugely familiar with Webster, this live set is a total riot. It’s not quite a sonic marvel, but the thing is alive with the chink of drinks glasses, the mumble of the audience, & the stomp of the musicians as they kick into gear.
& the musicianship is really top notch: it swings, it rocks, it snarls.
This #VinylMePlease pressing is limited to 200.
Second #VinylMePlease record of the month, & I’m #NowSpinning #MonksMusic by the #TheloniusMonk Septet.
Now this is really exceptional stuff from an incredible line up: #ArtBlakey, #ColemanHawkins & #JohnColtrane.
& the music is white hot: Well, You Needn’t, & Off Minor being favourites. Whilst I love Monk It’s Monk’s Time - this is probably my favourite of his albums.
& #RyanKSmith has done a bang on job with this cut - rich & dynamic.
Just got a new bundle courtesy of #VinylMePlease!
First up, #Transatlanticism by #DeathCabForCutie. I’m a fan of #BenGibbard’s work with #ThePostalService, I was never as deep into Death Cab. However, listening to this a couple times, it does really resonate. The title track, The New Year, & Tiny Vessels are early stand outs.
In terms of the #vinyl itself, #VMP have done another great job. Detailed, dynamic with near silent blacks.
#NowSpinning Bobby Short Shorts - Ace - New 50th Anny blue #vinyl release from #vinylmeplease sounds pristine
#NowPlaying François Tusques - Free Jazz (Cacophonic, 2023).
Initially released on Disques Mouloudji in 1965, this is the #CacophonicRecords reissue with the #VinylMePlease exclusive version.
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.
Change in mood & I’m #NowListening to #TheShapeOfJazzToCome by #OrnetteColeman.
I’m not particularly into free #jazz, & so Coleman loses me with his later stuff. But this is pitch perfect, original, incredible musicianship, but with more than enough hooks.
This #VinylMePlease reissue is mastered by #RyanKSmith & sounds incredible. I’ve been impressed with #VMP. Being based in the UK, I am paying a premium, but they do offer a premium product.
Hippo Campus - LP3
Here's a band that I wouldn't have found were it not for VMP. Sophisticated, melodic, pop - relatively synth-heavy but also kind of stripped back - they've been compared to Vampire Weekend, which doesn't really give the flavor of this LP, at least...but hints at the sound.