I actually should’ve titled this “spun” last week. ;) I wish I had a better excuse than not having a “world-class” amplifier on hand (having shipped the latest Transcendence DHT Stereo 300b that had been breaking-in early in the week) with which to spin said vinyl………, but, yep, that’s my excuse……, BUT, having found a suitable substitute, it was off to the races! Frantic and full of angst, I thought it was only fitting to start the groove with a phenomenal jam…………, if this is your kind of thing………..

I’ve got to say that I’m normally not a “Greatest Hits” kind of listener………. I prefer even the “Deep-Cuts” on an album. This 1st pressing, Epic/Immortal Records 2796 90335 1, Limited Edition, despite not listing it on the album jacket, contains, after a lengthy pause (think 4 or 5 MINUTES of dead-air) a live cover of Metallica’s song One on the “D” side. And the band does a damn good job, if this isn’t worth the price of entry I don’t know what would be. If you don’t want to find the first pressing like I have, pressed on at best 140g, super-floppy vinyl, I believe it was repressed on 180g by Music On Vinyl……. I remember buying this album when my vinyl collection was nothing more than a fond memory…., yeah, I was one of those unfortunates who launched everything in favor of CD’s…. DOH! So here we are, full circle.

Our Jazz vinyl of the week is beyond doubt an American classic…………. I can remember using the CD version of Moonlight In Vermont to sway MANY customers into “smelling what the Rock was cookin’” at the audio salon years ago….., the tune is still great, by every measure. Obviously, much better on vinyl too. My copy is a mid-70’s re-press that sounds O.K., there are much better versions on heavier vinyl available now. I gotta get me one…

So here we are……… the “must have” album of the week is the latest from my company’s namesake…….. TOOL. Fear Inoculum is, in truth, constantly spinning……………., not just this week. There is a LOT to digest on this set of vinyls. Some of you may wonder what this is, and frankly I can’t help you…., but I can try. If you were into progressive rock, back in the late 60’s and 70’s…, you know, Yes, Kansas, Rush, ELP, Pink Floyd, etc….., then you put together a band of world class musicians who were influenced by those bands…. yeah, now you’re starting to get it……., the natural progression of “prog-rock”. Perhaps never to be eclipsed. Even if you only buy one album this year…., buy this one.

The last album of the week also happens to be a an iconic jazz masterpiece, re-issued 178 times (according to Discogs), I can see why. Recorded in 57’, Coltrane at his peak, this 180g re-pressed in 2010, Not Now Music NOT123, is quite excellent sounding. In fact it may only be bettered by the Analogue Productions 45rpm, 1/2 speed remaster pressing. Fantastic music on fantastic vinyl…, what could be better?

So, that amplifier substitution that I had mentioned up top? While not up to the performance of my current offerings, it’s absolutely amazing what a GREAT pre-amplifier can fix………, the amp that started it all, the prototype of my very first commercial amplifier….. Till next week, peace, out.

SPINNING THIS WEEK.... 3/5/23 - 3/11/23