Thank you again for your wonderful, well worded reviews. This went on sale for 40% off today on the Craft site for their spring sale...and I remembered you had reviewed this...went back and watched this again....and ordered it. Best deal of the year for me! Couldn't have made the decision without your excellent content to inform my decisions....there's only so many premium re-issues like this one can afford! Even at 30% off lol
Thanks Jan, I appreciate the encouragement on the classical side of the channel. Lots of good stuff coming up on that front! They'll be another Living Stereo segment coming up, and we're going to delve into the best of Mercury, Decca and EMI as well. Classical is very important to me and I hope to turn others onto giving it a try! So rewarding! Thanks for your comments always!
Just received my copy and will be playing it today. Also ordered the Modwright 9.0X! Should be getting that soon. Thanks for planting the seed. I did give you credit sending Kristin a link to your video on the subject. Thank you.
Hi Scott, very happy with the music itself (not difficult if one likes the Charlie Brown soundtrack :-). Nice variety with side one being more latin and side 2 cool/west coast. After 2 rounds of washing and 3 spins the record is totally free of clicks, although not perfectly flat. My first Craft One Step and a true winner. Highly recommendable!
New sub! Cool to see that others care as well about pressing quality. I've been doing some vinyl shootouts. It really is amazing how much EVERYTHING affects sound!
Thank you for subscribing! We have a pretty lively comments section sometimes and you can get lots of info through it. It's one of things I love about doing this. It's like having a circle of audio and vinyl loving friends!
@@ThePressingMattersI just got a copy of this One Step from Acoustic Sounds. Hooo, it sounds GREAT! I'd rather pay the $110 premium for this one lovely pressing than $75 for the 3 disc deluxe Kevin Gray version, which has 2 discs I'll probably never play (they're from digital and on Apple Music in hi res anyway).
I am sooo glad I suscribe to your channel. I went and ordered this record from Craft right after watching your review. It checks all my boxes to be sure. One-Steps are something I do chase down. Thanks again. I did not get the Craft One-Steps of Relaxin' or Lush Life because I already have the Analogue Production Prestige reissues of them. I tend to not double or triple up on premium reissues.
I'm thrilled to have you here Rob, and I hope you'll chime in on your impression once you get to hear this. I love discussions in the comments with other vinyl lovers.
Scott: Thanks for this review. I was aware of this release but I wan't interested. When I heard Vince Guard's name I just thought of Charlie Brown music. Nothing wrong with that, but I didn't want a One Step of that type of music. I watched the review to see the about sonic quality of this album and the packaging. When I heard it was Brazilian influenced music, I just went and bought it. I owe you another one. I agree with you on the packaging. It is funny because I didn't mind the the Big Boxes Mofi and Analogue Records put out for their highest quality releases. After seeing the packaging of the Michael Jackson thriller album in the various online unboxing videos I think that packaging is a better way to go. Now in light of this stye packaging, I am also rethinking the UHQR packaging. I would like to see it in a similar format. This is a big change for me because I used to like the big boxes, but that was when I had only one or two of them.
There are four cuts that take their inspiration from the music in the film, as the title says these are jazz impressions of the music, but keep in mind they are a piano trio. There is no exotic percussion or obvious latin beat. It doesn't sound like Charlie Brown music but Vince's piano will occasionally remind you of it. It's a recognizable style. I do wish you sampled it first. But if you are familiar with the tune Cast Your Fate to the Wind, I'm sure you'll like his approach here. One thing you're sure to enjoy is how well the whole thing is done. It is physically and pressing wise the best one they've done.
Excellent Review Scott. I look forward to my copy arriving any day now. A few channels made reference to not spending your money on the One Step version - because the Original was really good. After seeing this I am super excited that I went with my Gut feel. I have a busy week ahead in my listening room. Black Orpheus when It arrives and the Marley Exodus UHQR.
Fun week isn't it! No original is going to be as clean sounding as this, even a sealed one! I really hope you come back with your impressions of it either here or in a video of your own. I'm VERY curious what you will think of it. My Exodus arrived today and I just got home from work. I don't think I'll listen to it tonight but will have a video up later jn the week. I want to take time to do a careful comparison with the old MFSL Anadisc.
Good day Scott. I received my copy on Saturday and on Sunday my copy of the UHQR Bob Marley & The Wailers Exodus. Going to give both a listen to on Wednesday when I have some time. You are right, at $109.00, I feel this is a very fair price for a One Step record. Besides the slip case is sleek and doesn’t require much space. Cheers
I can't wait to hear what you think of both releases, Brian. I will have Exodus on my doorstep when I get home today and am very excited to say the least. Better than Christmas! Please come back to comment on this one!
That looks like an awesome package Scott. I'm not familiar with this record but I love Bossa Nova so I will have to check it out. I do own the movie. I love his Charlie Brown Christmas album. I play it constantly every December I think it's the best Christmas album ever recorded.
It is a beauty, but be sure to stream it first. It's bossa nova influenced perhaps but it doesn't come off sounding like bossa nova. The playing will remind you of the Peanuts specials, but perhaps a bit more sophisticated? Or at least less familiar. That's another one I need to get! There was a recent reissue that was getting raves.
Thanks for the review, Scott. I have the blu-ray of the movie Black Orpheus on the Criterion Collection and had some familiarity with the music which is one of the highlights of the film. Needless to say, ordering this one-step from Craft was a no brainer. I also ordered the 3 LP set from Amazon. My copies showed up on Saturday and I'm anxious to give this a spin. For those interested in the 3 LP set, it is still available from Amazon.
Thank you for the info. I thought I checked on the Kevin Gray set and it was out at Amazon. If it in stock, I'll post a link in the description if anyone else wants to try that one. Please let me know how they compare!
Thank you Scott for your review. I wish I knew how this one step Bernie compares to the Kevin Gray cut. Im really leaning towards the KG but I have all the other Craft One Steps. Oh the conundrums of an audiophile! ha.
John, I wish I could have answered this for you, but I just couldn't justify both in this case. There is another commenter who will be posting his comparison here when he does a listening session with a friend who has the other version. So maybe hold off and see what he says.
@@ThePressingMatters One thing, the piano has always been a bit in the red. The DCC is the only one I know of that tubed it up enough to hold that sound back a bit. So its always going to be a bit "hot" on the piano.
@@FleagleSangria I think the fact that I have an all tube system helped in this regard. I did feel it was something to mention, but it did not bother me. I think when an older recording like this or the Blue Notes for example get a modern analogue remastering, that small issues like this are part of the deal. Engineers like Bernie and Kevin (and Steve on the DCC) know what they are doing and that the listener wants the tape presented as purely as possible, with minimal adjustments. I'm sure they are completely aware of things like this and always choose what to do based on the overall presentation. It's similar to reducing hiss on a classical record at the expense of lopping off part of the music. I'm actually glad when I hear some hoss on the newer reissues of classical because I know they don't take that approach. So with this in a different way, it's a balancing act. I think Bernie got it right here as the presentation sounds wonderful given the small limitations of the source.
I have the 2003 AP 45rpm set, wow, has it been 20 years? I was a subscriber to Chad's Top 25 jazz vinyl releases that year. All 25 releases in 2003 were "must have" releases, so glad I bought them all. Curious how Craft did with this release versus the 2003 AP release.
Great video as usual. I checked out some of the record stores that you suggested. I enjoyed Technique the most. We should get together for coffee. I need some Miami friends.
I was working today and just got out exhausted. Maybe at some point tomorrow. I'm working on a video during the main part of the day but may be free in the afternoon. Coffee would be great.
Hi Scott, Thanks for the review. It’s as if you read my mind. I wasted to ask last week whether this is something I should go for. I think I will order this now. Many thanks
I am not really familiar with the featured album. Of course most people know Vince G. from his Xmas music featured on the Charlie Brown special. The smaller album cover pic on a big size album reminds me of the old RCA Soria series. As I say I've never heard of the album but you learn something new everyday. Just yesterday I learned that for many decades, Astronomers believed there was a planet between Mercury and the Sun. Some even claimed to have observed it. There was even a name for it. It was called Vulcan. Einstein's work helped to disprove it existed. There's probably even some albums by a favorite artist that you didn't know existed. Wednesday is the only day of the week that sounds like a question. Can you think of another word where a middle letter "d" is silent? Here are some random questions about music and audio. 1. In your experience what are audiophiles 2nd hobby? In my experience it's photography. My source: people I've met and the "Sellers Other Items" of people selling audio on ebay. Golf might be in there too. 2. When you make a MAJOR upgrade in your system, among 2 equally well recorded titles, why does one sound like there has been a 40% jump in sound quality and the other equally well recorded title sound like only a 15% improvement? 3. Have you ever met an audiophile or a serious record collector in some place that doesn't sell or have anything to do with either? Like a sports bar or somewhere? I once met an audiophile sitting at a bar having a beer. His talk fluctuated back & forth between the TV screen and a game he obviously had a bet on and audio. He'd say something about audio, and then he'd comment on a play on the Big Screen etc. etc.. "Darnn",that guy reminds me of a young Sammy Baugh" he said. "You gotta be 105," I said. 4. What is the oldest audiophile you ever met? 5. I read in an interview somewhere where a record company wanted to hire Bob Ludwig to master a re-release of Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones. He was played an original lp and allegedly was so floored with the sound that he declined. Was the original pressing of that Lp, so amazing or something? 6. Should audiophile labels, especially those which sell very expensive records; should they come out with titles whose original recording quality in the studio was not that good? Should they figure "This isn't that well recorded but so many people love this album that they might appreciate at least an improvement?" 7. I've noticed that an amazing number of audiophiles are of Jewish persuasion. Same for a lot of the decidedly above average sound quality rock albums, like Steely Dan and most of Sprinsteen's lps etc. Same with ownership of a lot of Audio Salons. I wonder how that came to be? 8. Will expensive audiophile lp releases influence other makers of new vinyl lps to increase their prices to maybe 60 or 70% of what the audiophile labels are charging?
Thank you for your comment but I couldn't possibly answer all that in detail! But I will give a short answer if possible 1. Biking or cars 2. I haven't noticed that 3. No I haven't 4. 80 i think 5. Not that I'm aware of 6. No 7. Have no idea 8. I don't think so
I often wonder why they did this reissue. A first pressing on a great day is 30 bucks tops and thats EX on the Goldmine standard . In NYC I picked up a 1978 pressing for 6 bucks. To press this record at RTI is around $4.30 per lp. Do they ways justify the means? With todays Audiophile pressings.
@@Anthony-fz7uf Personally I will take a new record over a used record anytime if it's mastered well for todays systems. I can't tolerate the gamble with original pressings. That's just me - I know a lot of people prefer originals and I do too if current reissues are mediocre. But this is not that at all. And they did press a version for half the cost mastered by Kevin. It is an overpriced luxury for sure. I think it's worth it in this case.
@@Anthony-fz7uf True, even new ones can have issues, I think that's one reason I was so thrilled with this pressing. I don't think I've seen a better pressed record in a while from RTI. Flat, centered and silent should be the norm but sadly it isn't. I do love what Tone Poet is doing and honestly this would have been just fine if done to that standard for $40. Yet that's where we are in this crazy hobby.
Thanks.I didn't really expect answers, it was sort of a food for thought thing in the form of questions. Maybe I shouldn't have posed them in an interrogatory manner. I do think there should be an option of buying improved sounding versions of records that weren't masterpieces of the recording art to begin with. Many a record I really like a lot, and I find myself thinking; "If only the sound would be a little better." Unfortunately we might have to depend on Audiophile label versions, and I don't think they would adjust their pricing based on individual records sonic merit. On some cds, I sometimes see something that warns that the cd was made from an old source and might display some sonic flaws. I don't buy much new vinyl, and I'm not sure if any vinyl releases warn potential buyers of that in writing on the cover, like some cds do. Maybe cds are more honest. They're certainly more resonably/honestly priced. There are plenty of really musically great records, that people would really love to hear in better sound, even though they wouldn't expect them to change into a sonic masterpiece. I would much rather see that kind of thing (at a reasonable price), than seeing the same titles, Kind Of Blue etc. or various Coltrane albums released over and over for the umpteenth time by audiophile labels. I dont think a year goes by without someone releasing a "New" audiophile version of some of these same suspects. You choosing one that wasn't so repeat prone was refreshing. Probably one of the biggest true mysteries to me is why some music just keeps getting better and better sounding as improvements are made in ones audio system, while other recordings just don't sound like they respond much at all. While some recordings leap upward in sound quality, other just stubbornly inch upward, or don't seem to change much at all; and I'm talking about recordings that started out with roughly the same sound quality level. A real real mystery to me, and to some others I'm sure.
No problem at all, I just couldn't give you much more at that time. I think the he audiophile labels often do give us better sounding versions of average recordings or previously compromised pressings. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just exposes the flaws even more. I thought the MOFI CSN One Step was an example of where a case could be made for not bothering with it. Between the poor recording and questionable tweaks, I thought it sounded pretty bad. Other like Blue Note have been doing great with their reissues. I definitely want to support reissues that aren't the same old thing. This was a great example.
@@ThePressingMatters The Classic Records version of CSN got great reviews in all the audiophile magazines I read. I think they did a 180 & a 200g version. The guy in TAS said what a great recording it reveals itself to be. Maybe the pressing you reviewed wasn't their best effort. Their vocal harmonies were so nice that they never failed to captivate my ears and emotions. I had been listening to Ohm Walsh speakers and when I got my KEF bookshelf speakers which have identical drivers as the famed LS3/5A, I was in heaven listening to CSN. Not that the Ohms were bad on vocals, it's just that those LS3/5A drivers are known as having one of the best reproductions of vocals on planet Earth; at any price. It became a late night nightly ritual for about 3 weeks. I didn't get tired of it. The vocals were just so beautiful, the way they blended when sung in harmony. It made me realize what incredible voices they all had; especially perhaps Stephen Stills, whose voice is also the most unique. It was one of those magical moments where everything just clicked as far as tonality, and I could remember with either speaker, especially the Ohm Walsh, being able to hear amazing depth way back in the soundstage. It might be one of those recordings which require just the right tonal synergism with your equipment to sound just right. The percussive sounds on track 1, Suite: Judy),sounded lick ticks and pops to me, the first time I heard the music on anything revealing. Turned out those sounds were part of the music.
@@sidesup8286 i do have the Classic 33 and it is much better than Mofi's attempt. There is actually a disclaimer on the inside gatefold that the source had limitations. That may go back further than MOFI, I think someone said it was always there. I'll have to see if it's printed on the Classic. There's no denying the greatness of the album however.im very happy with Grundman's Classic. It sounds like it should. Maybe the tape had deteriorated by the time of MOFI's DSD transfer, or maybe it's not truly the master?
@@ThePressingMatters I was listening to a tape recording I made of the circa 1980 Nautilus 1/2 speed master lp. As always, (in my experience) tape recording adds a little warmth to the sound. I was using a 1980s integrated amp which had the biggest transformer of anything I had ever used and it had all kind of closed off shielded compartments inside the amp, to both shield off electromagnetic interaction between different circuits within the amp, and also to retain a constant temperature inside each enclosure. They sometimes really went all out on their top of the line amps back then. The amp had a slightly laid back upper midrange and with such a huge transformer had a really BIG sound. The biggest solid state sound I've ever had. It did have tone controls and I do remember fiddling with the treble control to get the voices and acoustic guitars just right, without any edginess at all. Stills voice probably had a little exaggerated warmth, but it was really a seductive sound.
Nice, I discovered this album by a random charity shop find. The SACD. Very nice sounding album, at least the SACD is. So basically this is what Mofi claimed to be, but is the real deal.
Hey Scott! I’ll be in Miami Tuesday afternoon! Coming down for a Gino Vannelli concert! At first it was scheduled for February 2020 but Covid messed that up! So the make up concert is on Wednesday! Would love to get together and chitchat maybe at sound luxe or somewhere we can grab drinks in Wynwood! I know it’s kind of a short notice, but hope we can get together! By the way, did you ever get a chance to go through my ridiculously long Jaco Pastorius video?
I completely agree with your review, Scott. Sublime is a great way to describe it. I also have nothing to compare it to, and found the piano a little hot a few times on side one, but am guessing that’s just the way it is on the tape. Very glad I got it! I think the almost simultaneous reissue of the AP Prestige Miles Davis “Relaxin” at $40 did NOT help the sales of the small batch version. And then they did it to themselves with a simultaneous $70 version of Black Orpheus?! Confusing to say the least…
Hi Jeff, I meant to bring that up in the video regarding the simultaneous release of Relaxin', and also the reports of people feeling it was cut too hot. That and the angry customers from the Eastern Sounds rollout fiasco and I think people had a wait and see attitude about Relaxin' I might prefer the AP on that title. Those minor hot piano strikes on Black Orpheus do not bother me at all. I didn't notice it my first casual listen. Only on the close evaluation did I notice it but as you said it's probable always been there on the tape. This is an awesome reissue for sure Thanks so much for your comments!
@@ThePressingMatters, I am one of those that had a terrible Eastern Sounds experience. But Black Orpheus is so excellent all around it more than makes up for it. As long as Craft stays away from titles with excellent AAA pressings in print for $40 I am all in on small batch releases moving forwards. They’ve got the catalog for it!
@@jeffwhitehead6268 I never got Lush Life, as I had the DCC pressing. Eastern Sounds is really nice, I did a comparison video on it long ago. I think this one is up there near the top. Relaxin was my least favorite but it's very good as well.
Nice recommendation Scott. Looking through old records, it is easy to see that when there was a popular hit song back then, other artists jumped right on it and did their own cover of it while it was still hot and relatively current. Get it ($$) while the gettins' good I guess they thought. But they kept things in pretty good taste back then. We never had Mantovanni come out with You Really Got Me by The Kinks or anything like that. It took many many years for Van Halen to do a cover of that one. A lot of people tried to take advantage of The Beatles craze in that era. My first classical lp was Arthur Fiedler plays The Beatles. I liked the Bossa Nova sound and other Latin types of music that was very popular in this country by the late 1950s. It's surprising that a group similar to Santana and their Latin rhythms didn't pervade rock music earlier than 1969. Herb Alpert records sold like crazy. I have a still sealed factory reel tape of the one with the cover of the woman with whipped cream all over her. The reel tape with the best sound quality I ever heard (non classical), was a Sergio Mendes reel tape title. Another one with Latin rhytms. Back then, Stan Getz with Astrud Gilberto and even Nat King Cole dipped their feet in the waters of the popularity of Latin music and people increasingly going to Latin America on vacation trips. I listen to all 3 serious mediums, lp, cd and reel tape. These high quality lp pressings must be pretty good, to get plenty of repeat customers at those prices. For that small percentage of people with high quality reel to reel decks, it would be interesting to compare some of these lp re-releases with the factory recorded reel tape of the same title. Two of the most sought after OOP Audiophile lp pressings are Abraxas and The Nightfly. Abraxas I've seen 50 times for sale on reel tape on ebay, but I don't ever recall seeing it at anything other than the inferior sounding 3 and 3/4 ips tape speed. Never at 7 and 1/2. The Nightfly which has been getting over 4 or 5 hundred dollars for sealed copies on ebay for the One Step, I have never heard. Unlike Abraxas, it was digitally recorded in the 1st place in the recording studio. Most people who bought it knew that. Yet it is still among the most popular and sought after OOP audiophile titles; being digital in any guise. Some things just do not make sense. Is it just me or does the redbook Nightfly cd beat the original non audiophile vinyl for sound quality? Often the lp does win.There was a Quiex II lp version also. I am looking for a good copy of the 1st Santana album with the best sound. I don't think I've ever seen that one on reel tape at 7 and 1/2 ips either. An original lp pressing might be nice. Were there any good audiophile pressings of that on lp or cd that are really outstanding?
Yeah it seems like there were 100s of covers of Cast Your Fate around. If you do a Google search for images of that title, everyone and their mother covered it. Must have brought in a lot of royalties! I collect all the Latin bossa nova craze LPs that were so precedent for a time. Fun stuff and usually great cover art! The Nightfly is better on LP than CD. Why that is I can't say, but the mastering on the original LPs is great. Robert Ludwig. The Quiex are even more desirable. The MOFI is a lot because it sounds amazing and is scarce relatively speaking. It may only be a run of 6,000. Not much considering its popularity. But the real value on that is the sound. I need to get my reel to reel back in service so I can shoot out some tapes with LPs. I have a bunch of Mercury and Living Stereo tapes, 7.5 ips, and a smattering of pop titles. I never bought any 3 3/4 tapes because I never heard a good one!
@@ThePressingMatters How the Nightfly, or anything else sounds comparatively, I guess is dependent on what you play it on and what pressing. I had both The Nightfly and the Dire Straits album Brothers In Arms on Quiex II. With a good turntable, a $300 MC cartridge back then and a preamp which was said to be the cleanest on the planet by TAS (about a decade earlier), I did think the Nightfly sounded better on my cd player back then (circa 1995). I think I had begun to modify back then, but it was nothing like what I can do now. .I was a bit disappointed the other day that my new Led Zeppelin cds were not sounding so good, that I started reading up on the many forums on what are the best Zep cd pressings. Seems like the ones in with my newly acquired cd lot were not the best mastered ones. Looking at the cd booklets, mine were mastered by George Marino. Some of the very early cds (pre barcode) were better mastered by someone else. So like lps, cds vary in quality. For instance since cds came out in 1983, (earlier in Japan), there have been at least 4 or 5 different US masterings of Led Zeppelin albums on cd. I don't know how many different cd maaterings there have been of The Nightfly, but perhaps I was using a really good cd pressing. The earlier AAD cds had less digital tampering than the later ADD cd pressings, where 2 of the 3 steps were digital instead of just one. With what I was using for software and hardware back then, I remember the lp sounding a little more veiled and distant than the cd. Of course condition of what's being played comes into play too. With a cd, it either plays or not, with an lp it can be many many things. I agree on the 3 and 3/4 ips tapes. They usually sound dull and not as clear and clean. But there are tape machines known for sounding better on slow speed recorded tapes. They say the vintage Pioneer RT 909 is one of the better machines for playback, including the slower speed. Pioneer was good at making tape decks back then.
@@sidesup8286 The deck I want to restore is a Pioneer 707? Little brother to the 909. It's true it depends on what CD and what playback system. I only heard the original Nightfly CD (Japan?) which was one of the first CDs. Who knows what I had for a player but it was primitive.
@@ThePressingMatters My sisters now deceased husband who lived about an hour away from me, had a bunch of reel tape decks, including a Pioneer 909. They sold it to someone on ebay and he removed parts inside and sent it back to them saying it did not work. They took pics of the inside before fortunately. A lot of that is going on. But the Pioneer RT 909 is a tape deck that a lot of people started realizing fairly recently was a true cut above; a classic sort of. It's prices on ebay have tripled or quadrupled in the last six years or so. LS3/5A speakers have done that too about. Old Marantz tube equipment did that kind of jump in value and more within the last 25 years. Some old AR speakers too. I had always wanted to hear the Marantz 9's and the AR 9 speakers..
@@sidesup8286 That encourages me to get this restoration underway. I met someone, a friend of a friend who repairs tape decks and I'd like to see him have a go at it. If he can get it operating in spec, I will source a new faceplate (mine had a corner scuffed and bent) and have him put that on too.
They changed the cover and title in 1965. I have an "original" from then. I just bought the 3LP set, with the original album AAA, mastered and cut by Kevin Gray. It will interesting to hear a comparison between the Craft OneStep Bernie Grundman cut, and the Kevin Gray cut, both cut at 33 1/3rpm. The 3LP set is still available on Amazon and other sellers. And it's possible that Craft could repress the 3LP set. Listening to the extra takes, I'd say that they're interesting, but not essential listening. Still, for 60% or so less than the OneStep, it may be the way to go. The vinyl won't be as quiet (the vinyl on the 3LP set is not pitch black, but it's fine. No issues.). The jacket is not tip-on. I think if Craft had done the OneStep at 45rpm, I might have gone in that direction. But aside from mastering choices (do you tend to prefer Bernie's or Kevin's mastering choices?), they're both AAA and both cut at 33 1/3.
Hi Jeff! It would be interesting to hear from someone who has done that comparison. I see the 3LP is now back in stock at Amazon. I couldn't justify both as I knew the extra material wouldn't be essential for me. I don't know that I have a preference for Bernie or Kevin. I like most work from both of them.
@The Pressing Matters Agree. Again, if the OneStep had been cut at 45, I'd have gone for that because I tend to hear a significant improvement with that format, all other things being equal. I don't need the outtakes either, but I also don't need the fancy box and packaging, as nice as that can tactiley be. But I got what is essentially a Kevin Gray mastered/cut AAA 33 for $61 including shipping. The OneStep is a Bernie Grundman AAA 33 for $110 plus $20 shipping, so it's twice the price when all is said and done. And I get a couple of LPs of alternate takes.
@@jeffbellin8224 Yes, when you put it that way, it's kind of a no brainer! The collector mentality and FOMO sometimes gets me and since I had the last two Small Batch releases I felt it was the best choice for me. I do hear improvements on most 45s too. I think Craft is content with 33 and I hope they do some more interesting titles, and not the same old stuff. Hopefully we hear from someone who has both. Thanks so much for all your comments!
@@ThePressingMatters I tell you what, I have a friend who got the OneStep, and we're going to get together soon and compare them. When we do, I'll stop back here and let you know.
The most fun audio item you can buy for under $100 used? Any nominees? My nominee would be a pair of Grado SR 80 headphones. I'm always trying to take my sound quality further and further. This headphone has singlehandedly changed my wild audio journey into an even wilder ride. Think you're hearing detail like this headphone provides from your speakers. I would guess not even 10% of you out there are. And this is an older headphone that is not that good at treble extension. It does it in a different way. It is a very controversial headphone. Grado headphones in general are very controversial. Some say they are harsh and shouty. Mine are not what I'd call harsh, but maybe they are just a tad shouty. That used to have a negative connotation with me. But with these, it just sounds like the singer is putting more emotion into his vocals. Lead singers, electric guitars, synthesizers, in fact everything in the midrange sounds so alive. Almost nobody says Grado headphones are not lively as all get out. It might be a case where it's slight, (and slight bears repeating); it's slight flaw works to its advantage. Have I heard smoother vocals, yes. Have I heard vocals on any other headphones that I'd rather listen to?... No... As the Audiophiliac said, "There is just something about Grado headphones." He likens them to a horn speaker; so fast, efficient and dynamic. So open sounding too. All Grados are open backed I think. It doesn't sound like you're getting the equivelent of rear wall reflections from the earcups with these. Depth imaging is not impeded at all. They have great depth too, which is really hard for closed back headphones. So what we have here is the most fun headphone ever, even though it sounds like it has only decent drivers for a headphone. The sound is not ultra clean but somehow it is ultra likeable. It reminds me of 1970s sound. Listening to these takes you back to the way sound was then. The upper midrange of most speakers, cartridges and headphones that I have heard since the 1970s is suppressed. That is the area that the ear is most sensitive to flaws. These do not have a suppressed upper midrange, and they reveal the truth of how most things out there do. They do not gloss over flaws like euphonic stuff. They reveal flaws in the program and even their own flaws. Which is right up my alley, because as a modder these present a real great challenge for me to figure out more ways to decrease any remnants of distortion in my system. That ruthless quality gets smoother as distortion is lessened. Their bass which sounded muddy and not near loud enough (pre equipment mods), is now the best bass I've ever heard from anything, for definition and seamlessly blending in with the rest of the music. That's probably the one thing I just can't believe. The bass is so cool on electric guitar that you can't but pay more attention to the fancy effortless detail down there. These headphones now sound like they have a perfectly firm grip on every bass note. They never ever lose control. Before my last round of mods, the bass sounded as feeble and loose as shaking hands with someone 100 years old. This particular model is not even known for having great bass. If you play it with incredibly good gear,; it does. It's the best. So what other audio equipment magically turns into a swan when played with unbelievably good electronics? You might not even like these headphones if your equipment isn't that great. But if you plan on having state of the art equipment one day, when you get there, and maybe a little before; you will love these headphones. I think on the used market, they are the most fun thing you can buy for under $100.
I'd love to give something like this a shot, it's been decades since I had any real headphones. Currently I have no headphone Jack or amp, but that may change this year. You're not the first who has suggested this to me. I have a friend that said it might be a great tool for me because of various factors - room acoustics, inability to play at loud levels at odd hours etc. Intriguing. Thanks for all the info.
@@ThePressingMatters The Grado isn't real impressively clean and it doesn't roll off the upper mids, where most equipment tries to hide its distortion; so it is a perfect challenge to me as a modder, to see if I can get it really clean sounding by improving my electronics. If I ever do get it sounding ultra clean with that kind of detail, openness, upper midrange presence and what now sounds like perfect bass, it will be like having your cake & eating it too. Like heaven. The old 1980s Koss Pro 4x has a cleaner more extended high end with its piezo tweeter. When listening to the group Chicago recently, with horns aplenty, the Grados were not making that music sound right. The Koss sounded good on it. But I put on some Jethro Tull the other day and I wasn't impressed at all with what sounded like a tiny sound from the Koss. Through the Grados, Tull sounded like it should, much bigger and more immediate. Each one makes the other one sound lacking depending on what recording. I better keep both till someday when I upgrade. I have an old Audio Technica headphone in one of my many boxes somewhere. Can't find it. It sounded too bass dominant when I last heard it, but otherwise really so good. I had to turn down the bass control to 10 o'clock on an integrated I was using it with. Now I am going straight into the cd players headphone socket, where you cant compensate for stuff like that. Most headphone guys have more than one headphone. Sometimes they have a whole wall of them. Some popular current headphones like the Focal Clear, you almost never see on the used market for less than $650. They are said to do everything well. Would love to hear them, along with the Sennheiser 800S. The 800S is the universally accepted openness & big sound champ in the same $650 to $750 used price range. The Senns are supposed to be very finnicky about type of music being played more than the Focal. Then there are planar headphones like Hifiman and Audeze in that price range and even much less. When I'm modding my electronics, it's best to have something less than perfectly clean as a tool. It's much easier to hear something go from unrefined to smooth, than to hear when something goes from ultra ultra clean to ultra ulta ultra clean. Some recordings just have to be heard through headphones. Just such an amazing experience. Like the music was just made for headphones. Crime Of The Century (Supertramp), The Captain & Me (Doobie Bros.) and The Doors music come to mind.
@@davesans8536 I was able to place my order after reading your comment and I double checked again before writing you so I hope you were able to grab one!
My OG mono sounds warmer and has more depth, the regular RTI new pressing, slightly warped, is a bit bright on the top end but bass is tighter and more defined. BTW, while the soundtrack to the film is quite nice, the 1959 film, despite winning and Oscar, is not very good, and the Brazilian remake is even worse.
Do you mean the Kevin Gray version when you say regular RTI version? I have not heard that one, not an OG. Is Kevin's AAA (main album)? I wouldn't describe the One Step as bright in the top at all.
Thank you again for your wonderful, well worded reviews. This went on sale for 40% off today on the Craft site for their spring sale...and I remembered you had reviewed this...went back and watched this again....and ordered it. Best deal of the year for me! Couldn't have made the decision without your excellent content to inform my decisions....there's only so many premium re-issues like this one can afford! Even at 30% off lol
It's a steal for $76! Good score! Glad you remembered my video!
Again a very nice Video. Very much enjoy your channel. Especially when you talk about classical records. Regards from Munich. Jan
Thanks Jan, I appreciate the encouragement on the classical side of the channel. Lots of good stuff coming up on that front! They'll be another Living Stereo segment coming up, and we're going to delve into the best of Mercury, Decca and EMI as well. Classical is very important to me and I hope to turn others onto giving it a try! So rewarding! Thanks for your comments always!
Looking forward to getting mine. Unbelievable these and miles are not selling out. The best audiophile records out there.
It is very surprising, though I think this one may sell out first.
Just received my copy and will be playing it today. Also ordered the Modwright 9.0X! Should be getting that soon. Thanks for planting the seed. I did give you credit sending Kristin a link to your video on the subject. Thank you.
Jody that's awesome! Thank you so much. I'm so excited for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been. And you got the X!!!!
Please let me know how you like the album. I'd love to hear what you think!
I agree - received mine a few days ago and love it. Great review again.
Thanks for letting me know, Greg! Tell me did you know the album prior to this?
About 6 months ago when Craft announced the pressing I jumped on it and preordered. That’s was the first Time hearing about it.
Many thanks for your review, Scott. While it is currently flown over the Atlantic, I am even „hotter“ to hear this record spin on my TT.
Your welcome Thomas, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Please come back and let me know your impressions of Black Orpheus!
Hi Scott, very happy with the music itself (not difficult if one likes the Charlie Brown soundtrack :-). Nice variety with side one being more latin and side 2 cool/west coast. After 2 rounds of washing and 3 spins the record is totally free of clicks, although not perfectly flat. My first Craft One Step and a true winner. Highly recommendable!
@@thomashertl3037 Glad you're enjoying it Thomas. I'm very happy with it too. Thanks for letting us know what you thought of it!
New sub! Cool to see that others care as well about pressing quality. I've been doing some vinyl shootouts. It really is amazing how much EVERYTHING affects sound!
Thank you for subscribing! We have a pretty lively comments section sometimes and you can get lots of info through it. It's one of things I love about doing this. It's like having a circle of audio and vinyl loving friends!
Finding your channel, and that Acoustic Sounds are now offering reasonable shipping to the UK, in the same week is proving very expensive. ;)
I heard about the new rates! That's good news. I hope my reviews can help make the best choices:-)
@@ThePressingMattersI just got a copy of this One Step from Acoustic Sounds. Hooo, it sounds GREAT! I'd rather pay the $110 premium for this one lovely pressing than $75 for the 3 disc deluxe Kevin Gray version, which has 2 discs I'll probably never play (they're from digital and on Apple Music in hi res anyway).
I am sooo glad I suscribe to your channel. I went and ordered this record from Craft right after watching your review. It checks all my boxes to be sure. One-Steps are something I do chase down. Thanks again.
I did not get the Craft One-Steps of Relaxin' or Lush Life because I already have the Analogue Production Prestige reissues of them. I tend to not double or triple up on premium reissues.
I'm thrilled to have you here Rob, and I hope you'll chime in on your impression once you get to hear this. I love discussions in the comments with other vinyl lovers.
Very informative video Scott, thanks! Got one of these myself, and learned a ton from watching your walk here. 👏🏻
Hey Chance, thank you and glad to know you got one. Let me know how you like it once you heard it!
Nice review Scott! I received my copy a couple days ago and will be giving it a first listen today. Good to hear it sounds excellent.
Thank you! Please let me know how you like it! I think you will be very happy!
Omg Scott! I love the record and the packaging...
It's even more beautiful in person and the record is ruler flat, silent. Really good job, and great mastering.
Great choice for a review!
Absolutely, what a fun listen this is. Cast Your Fate To The Wind was great to revisit in this kind of sound!
Scott: Thanks for this review. I was aware of this release but I wan't interested. When I heard Vince Guard's name I just thought of Charlie Brown music. Nothing wrong with that, but I didn't want a One Step of that type of music. I watched the review to see the about sonic quality of this album and the packaging. When I heard it was Brazilian influenced music, I just went and bought it. I owe you another one.
I agree with you on the packaging. It is funny because I didn't mind the the Big Boxes Mofi and Analogue Records put out for their highest quality releases. After seeing the packaging of the Michael Jackson thriller album in the various online unboxing videos I think that packaging is a better way to go. Now in light of this stye packaging, I am also rethinking the UHQR packaging. I would like to see it in a similar format. This is a big change for me because I used to like the big boxes, but that was when I had only one or two of them.
There are four cuts that take their inspiration from the music in the film, as the title says these are jazz impressions of the music, but keep in mind they are a piano trio. There is no exotic percussion or obvious latin beat. It doesn't sound like Charlie Brown music but Vince's piano will occasionally remind you of it. It's a recognizable style. I do wish you sampled it first. But if you are familiar with the tune Cast Your Fate to the Wind, I'm sure you'll like his approach here. One thing you're sure to enjoy is how well the whole thing is done. It is physically and pressing wise the best one they've done.
Excellent Review Scott. I look forward to my copy arriving any day now. A few channels made reference to not spending your money on the One Step version - because the Original was really good. After seeing this I am super excited that I went with my Gut feel. I have a busy week ahead in my listening room. Black Orpheus when It arrives and the Marley Exodus UHQR.
Fun week isn't it!
No original is going to be as clean sounding as this, even a sealed one! I really hope you come back with your impressions of it either here or in a video of your own. I'm VERY curious what you will think of it.
My Exodus arrived today and I just got home from work. I don't think I'll listen to it tonight but will have a video up later jn the week. I want to take time to do a careful comparison with the old MFSL Anadisc.
Good day Scott. I received my copy on Saturday and on Sunday my copy of the UHQR Bob Marley & The Wailers Exodus. Going to give both a listen to on Wednesday when I have some time. You are right, at $109.00, I feel this is a very fair price for a One Step record. Besides the slip case is sleek and doesn’t require much space. Cheers
I can't wait to hear what you think of both releases, Brian. I will have Exodus on my doorstep when I get home today and am very excited to say the least. Better than Christmas!
Please come back to comment on this one!
That looks like an awesome package Scott. I'm not familiar with this record but I love Bossa Nova so I will have to check it out. I do own the movie. I love his Charlie Brown Christmas album. I play it constantly every December I think it's the best Christmas album ever recorded.
It is a beauty, but be sure to stream it first. It's bossa nova influenced perhaps but it doesn't come off sounding like bossa nova. The playing will remind you of the Peanuts specials, but perhaps a bit more sophisticated? Or at least less familiar. That's another one I need to get! There was a recent reissue that was getting raves.
@@ThePressingMatters it's amazing Scott. I really want the Christmas album. I'll stream black orpheus first.
good info: first heard "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" performed by jazz/pop artist Ramsey Lewis
Yes, this tune was covered by dozens of not hundreds of artists over the years. It definitely won over anyone who heard it.
Thanks for the review, Scott. I have the blu-ray of the movie Black Orpheus on the Criterion Collection and had some familiarity with the music which is one of the highlights of the film. Needless to say, ordering this one-step from Craft was a no brainer. I also ordered the 3 LP set from Amazon. My copies showed up on Saturday and I'm anxious to give this a spin. For those interested in the 3 LP set, it is still available from Amazon.
Thank you for the info. I thought I checked on the Kevin Gray set and it was out at Amazon. If it in stock, I'll post a link in the description if anyone else wants to try that one. Please let me know how they compare!
Thank you Scott for your review.
I wish I knew how this one step Bernie compares to the Kevin Gray cut. Im really leaning towards the KG but I have all the other Craft One Steps. Oh the conundrums of an audiophile! ha.
John, I wish I could have answered this for you, but I just couldn't justify both in this case. There is another commenter who will be posting his comparison here when he does a listening session with a friend who has the other version. So maybe hold off and see what he says.
@@ThePressingMatters One thing, the piano has always been a bit in the red. The DCC is the only one I know of that tubed it up enough to hold that sound back a bit. So its always going to be a bit "hot" on the piano.
@@FleagleSangria I think the fact that I have an all tube system helped in this regard. I did feel it was something to mention, but it did not bother me. I think when an older recording like this or the Blue Notes for example get a modern analogue remastering, that small issues like this are part of the deal. Engineers like Bernie and Kevin (and Steve on the DCC) know what they are doing and that the listener wants the tape presented as purely as possible, with minimal adjustments. I'm sure they are completely aware of things like this and always choose what to do based on the overall presentation. It's similar to reducing hiss on a classical record at the expense of lopping off part of the music. I'm actually glad when I hear some hoss on the newer reissues of classical because I know they don't take that approach. So with this in a different way, it's a balancing act. I think Bernie got it right here as the presentation sounds wonderful given the small limitations of the source.
I have the 2003 AP 45rpm set, wow, has it been 20 years? I was a subscriber to Chad's Top 25 jazz vinyl releases that year. All 25 releases in 2003 were "must have" releases, so glad I bought them all. Curious how Craft did with this release versus the 2003 AP release.
I'd be very curious about that too. Hopefully someone will chime in here with a comparison.
Great video as usual. I checked out some of the record stores that you suggested. I enjoyed Technique the most. We should get together for coffee. I need some Miami friends.
I was working today and just got out exhausted. Maybe at some point tomorrow. I'm working on a video during the main part of the day but may be free in the afternoon. Coffee would be great.
@@ThePressingMatters I'm a teacher and I work everyday until 4.
@@insearchofruss On I thought you were here on vacation!
Leave me your name and number on my email and I'll respond. I need some local friends too!
sw.thepressingmatters@gmail.com
Hi Scott, Thanks for the review. It’s as if you read my mind. I wasted to ask last week whether this is something I should go for. I think I will order this now. Many thanks
You won't be disappointed. It's a beauty! Great music, great sound and a fabulous presentation.
Thank you for sharing your opinions, which as usual are balanced.
I am not really familiar with the featured album. Of course most people know Vince G. from his Xmas music featured on the Charlie Brown special. The smaller album cover pic on a big size album reminds me of the old RCA Soria series. As I say I've never heard of the album but you learn something new everyday. Just yesterday I learned that for many decades, Astronomers believed there was a planet between Mercury and the Sun. Some even claimed to have observed it. There was even a name for it. It was called Vulcan. Einstein's work helped to disprove it existed. There's probably even some albums by a favorite artist that you didn't know existed. Wednesday is the only day of the week that sounds like a question. Can you think of another word where a middle letter "d" is silent? Here are some random questions about music and audio.
1. In your experience what are audiophiles 2nd hobby? In my experience it's photography. My source: people I've met and the "Sellers Other Items" of people selling audio on ebay. Golf might be in there too.
2. When you make a MAJOR upgrade in your system, among 2 equally well recorded titles, why does one sound like there has been a 40% jump in sound quality and the other equally well recorded title sound like only a 15% improvement?
3. Have you ever met an audiophile or a serious record collector in some place that doesn't sell or have anything to do with either? Like a sports bar or somewhere? I once met an audiophile sitting at a bar having a beer. His talk fluctuated back & forth between the TV screen and a game he obviously had a bet on and audio. He'd say something about audio, and then he'd comment on a play on the Big Screen etc. etc.. "Darnn",that guy reminds me of a young Sammy Baugh" he said.
"You gotta be 105," I said.
4. What is the oldest audiophile you ever met?
5. I read in an interview somewhere where a record company wanted to hire Bob Ludwig to master a re-release of Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones. He was played an original lp and allegedly was so floored with the sound that he declined. Was the original pressing of that Lp, so amazing or something?
6. Should audiophile labels, especially those which sell very expensive records; should they come out with titles whose original recording quality in the studio was not that good? Should they figure "This isn't that well recorded but so many people love this album that they might appreciate at least an improvement?"
7. I've noticed that an amazing number of audiophiles are of Jewish persuasion. Same for a lot of the decidedly above average sound quality rock albums, like Steely Dan and most of Sprinsteen's lps etc. Same with ownership of a lot of Audio Salons. I wonder how that came to be?
8. Will expensive audiophile lp releases influence other makers of new vinyl lps to increase their prices to maybe 60 or 70% of what the audiophile labels are charging?
Thank you for your comment but I couldn't possibly answer all that in detail!
But I will give a short answer if possible
1. Biking or cars
2. I haven't noticed that
3. No I haven't
4. 80 i think
5. Not that I'm aware of
6. No
7. Have no idea
8. I don't think so
Would you have gone for the Kevin Gray 3 disc? This is on preorder at AP
No, I want only the original album, not really interested in the extra tracks. This is perfect. I love Kevin's work but this is sublime!
I hope they do a Blue Mitchell or a Kenny Dorham next.
I could be in for Kenny Dorham!
Good review
Thanks Anthony!
I often wonder why they did this reissue. A first pressing on a great day is 30 bucks tops and thats EX on the Goldmine standard . In NYC
I picked up a 1978 pressing for 6 bucks.
To press this record at RTI is around $4.30 per lp.
Do they ways justify the means? With todays Audiophile pressings.
@@Anthony-fz7uf Personally I will take a new record over a used record anytime if it's mastered well for todays systems. I can't tolerate the gamble with original pressings. That's just me - I know a lot of people prefer originals and I do too if current reissues are mediocre. But this is not that at all. And they did press a version for half the cost mastered by Kevin. It is an overpriced luxury for sure. I think it's worth it in this case.
I hear ya . Some first pressing can have issues.
Yet a really good deep cleaning and you will be surprised.
It is a gamble either way with lp’s
@@Anthony-fz7uf True, even new ones can have issues, I think that's one reason I was so thrilled with this pressing. I don't think I've seen a better pressed record in a while from RTI. Flat, centered and silent should be the norm but sadly it isn't. I do love what Tone Poet is doing and honestly this would have been just fine if done to that standard for $40. Yet that's where we are in this crazy hobby.
Thanks.I didn't really expect answers, it was sort of a food for thought thing in the form of questions. Maybe I shouldn't have posed them in an interrogatory manner. I do think there should be an option of buying improved sounding versions of records that weren't masterpieces of the recording art to begin with. Many a record I really like a lot, and I find myself thinking; "If only the sound would be a little better." Unfortunately we might have to depend on Audiophile label versions, and I don't think they would adjust their pricing based on individual records sonic merit. On some cds, I sometimes see something that warns that the cd was made from an old source and might display some sonic flaws. I don't buy much new vinyl, and I'm not sure if any vinyl releases warn potential buyers of that in writing on the cover, like some cds do. Maybe cds are more honest. They're certainly more resonably/honestly priced. There are plenty of really musically great records, that people would really love to hear in better sound, even though they wouldn't expect them to change into a sonic masterpiece. I would much rather see that kind of thing (at a reasonable price), than seeing the same titles, Kind Of Blue etc. or various Coltrane albums released over and over for the umpteenth time by audiophile labels. I dont think a year goes by without someone releasing a "New" audiophile version of some of these same suspects. You choosing one that wasn't so repeat prone was refreshing.
Probably one of the biggest true mysteries to me is why some music just keeps getting better and better sounding as improvements are made in ones audio system, while other recordings just don't sound like they respond much at all. While some recordings leap upward in sound quality, other just stubbornly inch upward, or don't seem to change much at all; and I'm talking about recordings that started out with roughly the same sound quality level. A real real mystery to me, and to some others I'm sure.
No problem at all, I just couldn't give you much more at that time. I think the he audiophile labels often do give us better sounding versions of average recordings or previously compromised pressings. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it just exposes the flaws even more. I thought the MOFI CSN One Step was an example of where a case could be made for not bothering with it. Between the poor recording and questionable tweaks, I thought it sounded pretty bad.
Other like Blue Note have been doing great with their reissues. I definitely want to support reissues that aren't the same old thing. This was a great example.
@@ThePressingMatters The Classic Records version of CSN got great reviews in all the audiophile magazines I read. I think they did a 180 & a 200g version. The guy in TAS said what a great recording it reveals itself to be. Maybe the pressing you reviewed wasn't their best effort. Their vocal harmonies were so nice that they never failed to captivate my ears and emotions. I had been listening to Ohm Walsh speakers and when I got my KEF bookshelf speakers which have identical drivers as the famed LS3/5A, I was in heaven listening to CSN. Not that the Ohms were bad on vocals, it's just that those LS3/5A drivers are known as having one of the best reproductions of vocals on planet Earth; at any price. It became a late night nightly ritual for about 3 weeks. I didn't get tired of it. The vocals were just so beautiful, the way they blended when sung in harmony. It made me realize what incredible voices they all had; especially perhaps Stephen Stills, whose voice is also the most unique. It was one of those magical moments where everything just clicked as far as tonality, and I could remember with either speaker, especially the Ohm Walsh, being able to hear amazing depth way back in the soundstage. It might be one of those recordings which require just the right tonal synergism with your equipment to sound just right. The percussive sounds on track 1, Suite: Judy),sounded lick ticks and pops to me, the first time I heard the music on anything revealing. Turned out those sounds were part of the music.
@@sidesup8286 i do have the Classic 33 and it is much better than Mofi's attempt. There is actually a disclaimer on the inside gatefold that the source had limitations. That may go back further than MOFI, I think someone said it was always there. I'll have to see if it's printed on the Classic. There's no denying the greatness of the album however.im very happy with Grundman's Classic. It sounds like it should. Maybe the tape had deteriorated by the time of MOFI's DSD transfer, or maybe it's not truly the master?
@@ThePressingMatters I was listening to a tape recording I made of the circa 1980 Nautilus 1/2 speed master lp. As always, (in my experience) tape recording adds a little warmth to the sound. I was using a 1980s integrated amp which had the biggest transformer of anything I had ever used and it had all kind of closed off shielded compartments inside the amp, to both shield off electromagnetic interaction between different circuits within the amp, and also to retain a constant temperature inside each enclosure. They sometimes really went all out on their top of the line amps back then. The amp had a slightly laid back upper midrange and with such a huge transformer had a really BIG sound. The biggest solid state sound I've ever had. It did have tone controls and I do remember fiddling with the treble control to get the voices and acoustic guitars just right, without any edginess at all. Stills voice probably had a little exaggerated warmth, but it was really a seductive sound.
Nice, I discovered this album by a random charity shop find. The SACD. Very nice sounding album, at least the SACD is.
So basically this is what Mofi claimed to be, but is the real deal.
Great find! It's probably all you need.
@@ThePressingMatters you can always have more copies of great records!
@@varsityathlete9927 Well that's true! I'm a poster boy for multiple copies! I like comparing :-)
Hey Scott! I’ll be in Miami Tuesday afternoon! Coming down for a Gino Vannelli concert! At first it was scheduled for February 2020 but Covid messed that up! So the make up concert is on Wednesday! Would love to get together and chitchat maybe at sound luxe or somewhere we can grab drinks in Wynwood! I know it’s kind of a short notice, but hope we can get together! By the way, did you ever get a chance to go through my ridiculously long Jaco Pastorius video?
It a possibility, please send your phone number to my email sw.the pressingmatters@gmail.com.
@@ThePressingMatters I sent to your email…
@@primeanalogrecords Ok at work tonight.
I completely agree with your review, Scott. Sublime is a great way to describe it. I also have nothing to compare it to, and found the piano a little hot a few times on side one, but am guessing that’s just the way it is on the tape. Very glad I got it!
I think the almost simultaneous reissue of the AP Prestige Miles Davis “Relaxin” at $40 did NOT help the sales of the small batch version. And then they did it to themselves with a simultaneous $70 version of Black Orpheus?! Confusing to say the least…
Hi Jeff, I meant to bring that up in the video regarding the simultaneous release of Relaxin', and also the reports of people feeling it was cut too hot. That and the angry customers from the Eastern Sounds rollout fiasco and I think people had a wait and see attitude about Relaxin'
I might prefer the AP on that title.
Those minor hot piano strikes on Black Orpheus do not bother me at all. I didn't notice it my first casual listen. Only on the close evaluation did I notice it but as you said it's probable always been there on the tape.
This is an awesome reissue for sure
Thanks so much for your comments!
@@ThePressingMatters, I am one of those that had a terrible Eastern Sounds experience. But Black Orpheus is so excellent all around it more than makes up for it. As long as Craft stays away from titles with excellent AAA pressings in print for $40 I am all in on small batch releases moving forwards. They’ve got the catalog for it!
@@jeffwhitehead6268 I never got Lush Life, as I had the DCC pressing. Eastern Sounds is really nice, I did a comparison video on it long ago. I think this one is up there near the top. Relaxin was my least favorite but it's very good as well.
Nice recommendation Scott. Looking through old records, it is easy to see that when there was a popular hit song back then, other artists jumped right on it and did their own cover of it while it was still hot and relatively current. Get it ($$) while the gettins' good I guess they thought. But they kept things in pretty good taste back then. We never had Mantovanni come out with You Really Got Me by The Kinks or anything like that. It took many many years for Van Halen to do a cover of that one. A lot of people tried to take advantage of The Beatles craze in that era. My first classical lp was Arthur Fiedler plays The Beatles. I liked the Bossa Nova sound and other Latin types of music that was very popular in this country by the late 1950s. It's surprising that a group similar to Santana and their Latin rhythms didn't pervade rock music earlier than 1969. Herb Alpert records sold like crazy. I have a still sealed factory reel tape of the one with the cover of the woman with whipped cream all over her. The reel tape with the best sound quality I ever heard (non classical), was a Sergio Mendes reel tape title. Another one with Latin rhytms. Back then, Stan Getz with Astrud Gilberto and even Nat King Cole dipped their feet in the waters of the popularity of Latin music and people increasingly going to Latin America on vacation trips.
I listen to all 3 serious mediums, lp, cd and reel tape. These high quality lp pressings must be pretty good, to get plenty of repeat customers at those prices. For that small percentage of people with high quality reel to reel decks, it would be interesting to compare some of these lp re-releases with the factory recorded reel tape of the same title. Two of the most sought after OOP Audiophile lp pressings are Abraxas and The Nightfly. Abraxas I've seen 50 times for sale on reel tape on ebay, but I don't ever recall seeing it at anything other than the inferior sounding 3 and 3/4 ips tape speed. Never at 7 and 1/2. The Nightfly which has been getting over 4 or 5 hundred dollars for sealed copies on ebay for the One Step, I have never heard. Unlike Abraxas, it was digitally recorded in the 1st place in the recording studio. Most people who bought it knew that. Yet it is still among the most popular and sought after OOP audiophile titles; being digital in any guise. Some things just do not make sense. Is it just me or does the redbook Nightfly cd beat the original non audiophile vinyl for sound quality? Often the lp does win.There was a Quiex II lp version also.
I am looking for a good copy of the 1st Santana album with the best sound. I don't think I've ever seen that one on reel tape at 7 and 1/2 ips either. An original lp pressing might be nice. Were there any good audiophile pressings of that on lp or cd that are really outstanding?
Yeah it seems like there were 100s of covers of Cast Your Fate around. If you do a Google search for images of that title, everyone and their mother covered it. Must have brought in a lot of royalties!
I collect all the Latin bossa nova craze LPs that were so precedent for a time. Fun stuff and usually great cover art!
The Nightfly is better on LP than CD. Why that is I can't say, but the mastering on the original LPs is great. Robert Ludwig. The Quiex are even more desirable. The MOFI is a lot because it sounds amazing and is scarce relatively speaking. It may only be a run of 6,000. Not much considering its popularity. But the real value on that is the sound.
I need to get my reel to reel back in service so I can shoot out some tapes with LPs. I have a bunch of Mercury and Living Stereo tapes, 7.5 ips, and a smattering of pop titles. I never bought any 3 3/4 tapes because I never heard a good one!
@@ThePressingMatters How the Nightfly, or anything else sounds comparatively, I guess is dependent on what you play it on and what pressing. I had both The Nightfly and the Dire Straits album Brothers In Arms on Quiex II. With a good turntable, a $300 MC cartridge back then and a preamp which was said to be the cleanest on the planet by TAS (about a decade earlier), I did think the Nightfly sounded better on my cd player back then (circa 1995). I think I had begun to modify back then, but it was nothing like what I can do now.
.I was a bit disappointed the other day that my new Led Zeppelin cds were not sounding so good, that I started reading up on the many forums on what are the best Zep cd pressings. Seems like the ones in with my newly acquired cd lot were not the best mastered ones. Looking at the cd booklets, mine were mastered by George Marino. Some of the very early cds (pre barcode) were better mastered by someone else. So like lps, cds vary in quality. For instance since cds came out in 1983, (earlier in Japan), there have been at least 4 or 5 different US masterings of Led Zeppelin albums on cd. I don't know how many different cd maaterings there have been of The Nightfly, but perhaps I was using a really good cd pressing. The earlier AAD cds had less digital tampering than the later ADD cd pressings, where 2 of the 3 steps were digital instead of just one. With what I was using for software and hardware back then, I remember the lp sounding a little more veiled and distant than the cd. Of course condition of what's being played comes into play too. With a cd, it either plays or not, with an lp it can be many many things.
I agree on the 3 and 3/4 ips tapes. They usually sound dull and not as clear and clean. But there are tape machines known for sounding better on slow speed recorded tapes. They say the vintage Pioneer RT 909 is one of the better machines for playback, including the slower speed. Pioneer was good at making tape decks back then.
@@sidesup8286 The deck I want to restore is a Pioneer 707?
Little brother to the 909.
It's true it depends on what CD and what playback system. I only heard the original Nightfly CD (Japan?) which was one of the first CDs. Who knows what I had for a player but it was primitive.
@@ThePressingMatters My sisters now deceased husband who lived about an hour away from me, had a bunch of reel tape decks, including a Pioneer 909. They sold it to someone on ebay and he removed parts inside and sent it back to them saying it did not work. They took pics of the inside before fortunately. A lot of that is going on. But the Pioneer RT 909 is a tape deck that a lot of people started realizing fairly recently was a true cut above; a classic sort of. It's prices on ebay have tripled or quadrupled in the last six years or so. LS3/5A speakers have done that too about. Old Marantz tube equipment did that kind of jump in value and more within the last 25 years. Some old AR speakers too. I had always wanted to hear the Marantz 9's and the AR 9 speakers..
@@sidesup8286 That encourages me to get this restoration underway. I met someone, a friend of a friend who repairs tape decks and I'd like to see him have a go at it. If he can get it operating in spec, I will source a new faceplate (mine had a corner scuffed and bent) and have him put that on too.
They changed the cover and title in 1965. I have an "original" from then. I just bought the 3LP set, with the original album AAA, mastered and cut by Kevin Gray. It will interesting to hear a comparison between the Craft OneStep Bernie Grundman cut, and the Kevin Gray cut, both cut at 33 1/3rpm.
The 3LP set is still available on Amazon and other sellers. And it's possible that Craft could repress the 3LP set. Listening to the extra takes, I'd say that they're interesting, but not essential listening. Still, for 60% or so less than the OneStep, it may be the way to go. The vinyl won't be as quiet (the vinyl on the 3LP set is not pitch black, but it's fine. No issues.). The jacket is not tip-on. I think if Craft had done the OneStep at 45rpm, I might have gone in that direction. But aside from mastering choices (do you tend to prefer Bernie's or Kevin's mastering choices?), they're both AAA and both cut at 33 1/3.
Hi Jeff!
It would be interesting to hear from someone who has done that comparison. I see the 3LP is now back in stock at Amazon. I couldn't justify both as I knew the extra material wouldn't be essential for me. I don't know that I have a preference for Bernie or Kevin. I like most work from both of them.
@The Pressing Matters Agree. Again, if the OneStep had been cut at 45, I'd have gone for that because I tend to hear a significant improvement with that format, all other things being equal.
I don't need the outtakes either, but I also don't need the fancy box and packaging, as nice as that can tactiley be. But I got what is essentially a Kevin Gray mastered/cut AAA 33 for $61 including shipping. The OneStep is a Bernie Grundman AAA 33 for $110 plus $20 shipping, so it's twice the price when all is said and done. And I get a couple of LPs of alternate takes.
@@jeffbellin8224 Yes, when you put it that way, it's kind of a no brainer! The collector mentality and FOMO sometimes gets me and since I had the last two Small Batch releases I felt it was the best choice for me. I do hear improvements on most 45s too. I think Craft is content with 33 and I hope they do some more interesting titles, and not the same old stuff. Hopefully we hear from someone who has both. Thanks so much for all your comments!
@@ThePressingMatters I tell you what, I have a friend who got the OneStep, and we're going to get together soon and compare them. When we do, I'll stop back here and let you know.
@@jeffbellin8224 Great, I would appreciate that, Jeff. I'm sure others would as well.
The most fun audio item you can buy for under $100 used? Any nominees? My nominee would be a pair of Grado SR 80 headphones. I'm always trying to take my sound quality further and further. This headphone has singlehandedly changed my wild audio journey into an even wilder ride. Think you're hearing detail like this headphone provides from your speakers. I would guess not even 10% of you out there are. And this is an older headphone that is not that good at treble extension. It does it in a different way. It is a very controversial headphone. Grado headphones in general are very controversial. Some say they are harsh and shouty. Mine are not what I'd call harsh, but maybe they are just a tad shouty. That used to have a negative connotation with me. But with these, it just sounds like the singer is putting more emotion into his vocals. Lead singers, electric guitars, synthesizers, in fact everything in the midrange sounds so alive. Almost nobody says Grado headphones are not lively as all get out. It might be a case where it's slight, (and slight bears repeating); it's slight flaw works to its advantage. Have I heard smoother vocals, yes. Have I heard vocals on any other headphones that I'd rather listen to?... No... As the Audiophiliac said, "There is just something about Grado headphones." He likens them to a horn speaker; so fast, efficient and dynamic. So open sounding too. All Grados are open backed I think. It doesn't sound like you're getting the equivelent of rear wall reflections from the earcups with these. Depth imaging is not impeded at all. They have great depth too, which is really hard for closed back headphones. So what we have here is the most fun headphone ever, even though it sounds like it has only decent drivers for a headphone. The sound is not ultra clean but somehow it is ultra likeable. It reminds me of 1970s sound. Listening to these takes you back to the way sound was then.
The upper midrange of most speakers, cartridges and headphones that I have heard since the 1970s is suppressed. That is the area that the ear is most sensitive to flaws. These do not have a suppressed upper midrange, and they reveal the truth of how most things out there do. They do not gloss over flaws like euphonic stuff. They reveal flaws in the program and even their own flaws. Which is right up my alley, because as a modder these present a real great challenge for me to figure out more ways to decrease any remnants of distortion in my system. That ruthless quality gets smoother as distortion is lessened. Their bass which sounded muddy and not near loud enough (pre equipment mods), is now the best bass I've ever heard from anything, for definition and seamlessly blending in with the rest of the music. That's probably the one thing I just can't believe. The bass is so cool on electric guitar that you can't but pay more attention to the fancy effortless detail down there. These headphones now sound like they have a perfectly firm grip on every bass note. They never ever lose control. Before my last round of mods, the bass sounded as feeble and loose as shaking hands with someone 100 years old. This particular model is not even known for having great bass. If you play it with incredibly good gear,; it does. It's the best. So what other audio equipment magically turns into a swan when played with unbelievably good electronics? You might not even like these headphones if your equipment isn't that great. But if you plan on having state of the art equipment one day, when you get there, and maybe a little before; you will love these headphones. I think on the used market, they are the most fun thing you can buy for under $100.
I'd love to give something like this a shot, it's been decades since I had any real headphones. Currently I have no headphone Jack or amp, but that may change this year. You're not the first who has suggested this to me. I have a friend that said it might be a great tool for me because of various factors - room acoustics, inability to play at loud levels at odd hours etc. Intriguing. Thanks for all the info.
@@ThePressingMatters The Grado isn't real impressively clean and it doesn't roll off the upper mids, where most equipment tries to hide its distortion; so it is a perfect challenge to me as a modder, to see if I can get it really clean sounding by improving my electronics. If I ever do get it sounding ultra clean with that kind of detail, openness, upper midrange presence and what now sounds like perfect bass, it will be like having your cake & eating it too. Like heaven. The old 1980s Koss Pro 4x has a cleaner more extended high end with its piezo tweeter. When listening to the group Chicago recently, with horns aplenty, the Grados were not making that music sound right. The Koss sounded good on it. But I put on some Jethro Tull the other day and I wasn't impressed at all with what sounded like a tiny sound from the Koss. Through the Grados, Tull sounded like it should, much bigger and more immediate. Each one makes the other one sound lacking depending on what recording. I better keep both till someday when I upgrade. I have an old Audio Technica headphone in one of my many boxes somewhere. Can't find it. It sounded too bass dominant when I last heard it, but otherwise really so good. I had to turn down the bass control to 10 o'clock on an integrated I was using it with. Now I am going straight into the cd players headphone socket, where you cant compensate for stuff like that.
Most headphone guys have more than one headphone. Sometimes they have a whole wall of them. Some popular current headphones like the Focal Clear, you almost never see on the used market for less than $650. They are said to do everything well. Would love to hear them, along with the Sennheiser 800S. The 800S is the universally accepted openness & big sound champ in the same $650 to $750 used price range. The Senns are supposed to be very finnicky about type of music being played more than the Focal. Then there are planar headphones like Hifiman and Audeze in that price range and even much less. When I'm modding my electronics, it's best to have something less than perfectly clean as a tool. It's much easier to hear something go from unrefined to smooth, than to hear when something goes from ultra ultra clean to ultra ulta ultra clean. Some recordings just have to be heard through headphones. Just such an amazing experience. Like the music was just made for headphones. Crime Of The Century (Supertramp), The Captain & Me (Doobie Bros.) and The Doors music come to mind.
Looks like it’s sold out now 😢
It's still available both from the Craft Recordings website and their Bandcamp page.
@@AlfredoRichner Interesting when I went to Craft's site it said sold out I will chen again thanks
@@davesans8536 I was able to place my order after reading your comment and I double checked again before writing you so I hope you were able to grab one!
@@AlfredoRichner Alfredo I was able to place my order. Thanks for your help happy spinning
Are you guys talking about the One Step or Expanded edition?
I see the 3 record is sold out at Craft but is on Amazon.
My OG mono sounds warmer and has more depth, the regular RTI new pressing, slightly warped, is a bit bright on the top end but bass is tighter and more defined. BTW, while the soundtrack to the film is quite nice, the 1959 film, despite winning and Oscar, is not very good, and the Brazilian remake is even worse.
Do you mean the Kevin Gray version when you say regular RTI version? I have not heard that one, not an OG. Is Kevin's AAA (main album)?
I wouldn't describe the One Step as bright in the top at all.