Vinyl Me Please Classics

zombie.modernist said:
I've seen Ken's videos and think his reasoning is very weak, and seems to just come down to the usual OG fetishism rather than just admitting it's his tastes. The whole deal with Hoffman slagging RVG is obviously to generate buzz for his own stuff so I would say I'd take most of his stuff with a huge grain of salt too, but I do think the main point was that after hearing the master tapes, they discovered there was a heavy handed use of EQ on those old Blue Note records. Wether you think that makes them sound more "natural" like Ken, or muddy like Steve and Kevin Gray is probably going to depend on your taste, and system. Most people's systems are far from flat, especially with vinyl, compared to a mastering engineer like Kevin (Hoffman is another story and in another world from the rest of them) who would have a ruler flat system, and probably a taste for a flat neutral sound. Lots of notable audiophiles like Fremer do tend to prefer the newer AAA issues to their old copies. Of course you can say this is to generate click revenue as well lol. Honestly, I'm with you, lots of early Impulse and Blue Note stuff is $$$$$$$ so if the reissue can even be mentioned in the same breath, I'm on board.

As for the Electric Warrior, I'm not sure! I only have the US Reprise pressing which isn't that good. The Rhino has more bass, more detail while being smoother on the topped, and better midrange clarity to my ears. That Reprise one was certainly from a dub tape due to the it being a UK production. I'm going to Europe this summer and do plan on looking out for any UK originals for T-Rex out of curiosity. I'll let you know if I ever get any of EW.



I think it could be option C, too busy trying to sound cool (and refute the obvious critique that this is a $5 bin record) to bother getting any details right. I'm fairly certain he still doesn't grasp the fundamental difference in mastering a digital file to mastering for vinyl, as he continues to use it interchangeably. Personally I think they should let Ryan Smith write up a few sentences on the mastering of each release, or do a video like they did for Grundman. It would be interesting to hear and put the focus on the craft.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm not saying I trust Ken any more, just pointing out some divisions. Totally agree that there has to be some OG confirmation bias sometimes. Hoffman even talks crap about how MM changed the sound on the 33s (which I don't think he was involved in.)

Good luck digging on your trip. Don't pass up one of those Cubes if you find one instead of a Fly, mine sounds pretty great.

Yeah, who knows with Storf. The write-up says it will be better than your $8 record, so you are behind on inflation! 🤣
 
dhodo said:
I definitely agree with your last paragraph, but I think the difference s of opinion even within the audiophile community definitely keep me a skeptic. SH is a good example, because he likes to talk shit about RVG, but people like Ken Micallef completely wrote off the MM reissues that he and KG did because of how much they prefer the originals. To me that debate is pretty worthless, since I'll never think it is worth it to spring for those original Blue Notes and the MM reissues I do have sound great.

Is the Electric Warrior really better than the original Fly? I have a 70s UK cube that sounds great so I didn't go for it.
Click to expand...
Idk about a Fly (hard to source in the US) but it smokes the original Reprise issue I have.
 
TenderLovingKiller® said:
Help me out: I am trying to decide between Darrell Banks and Eddie Floyd. Leaving the music enjoyment factor out of it since I enjoy both, which one is the better release from a quality/scarcity standpoint? Is it a push? Is one better than the other? Is one more rare? Any opinions are appreciated!
Click to expand...
They're are both excellent choices . I think it's a push on quality, I could be wrong but I think Banks is a little harder to find for a good price.
 
keylime_5 said:
I heard there are definitely more Banks than Floyds left in stock. IMO Knock on Wood is the better LP, that album really kicks and it sounds incredible. It's straight up Stax sound. Banks is Stax trying to sound more like Motown.
Click to expand...

This was the ranking Storf posted from the June AMA on Reddit.

Booker >>> Byrd >>> Floyd >>Banks > Milton > Lightmen

Not sure how accurate it is now. I just asked him for some updated info, I'll post it if he responds.
 


It should be noted over on Reddit he said that there's a good chance Alice Coltrane will sell out this month, although I feel like he's been saying that for a few months now.

I want Little Milton, but I got a feeling that'll be around for at least another month.
 
Mather said:
From the VMP Isley Brothers writeup:
"Arguably the most important American band of all time due to their ability to influence both the Beatles and rappers alike."

Uhhh wut.

Ya serious?
Click to expand...

The most important American band is hyperbole, but the influencing The Beatles and rappers part is accurate. The Beatles based their version of Twist and Shout on The Isley's take on it and Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day" samples "Footsteps in the Dark" from Go For Your Guns.
 
I moved down to two tracks last month, and was planning to move down to a single track this month, but not feeling this pick (it's fine but I don't need it for $29) or any of the swaps, so I've cancelled my membership. I might come back later and pick it up, but I'm looking forward to a month without any apprehension about when I'll get the package and then nervously checking records for issues etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top