Audiophile Vinyl

Miles Davis
Seven Steps To Heaven
Mobile Fidelity MFSV 1-534 (180g SuperVinyl)

Intermediate DSD stage notwithstanding, this LP sounds as seductively ‘analogue’ as you’d wish. This calm, considered set heralded a period of lineup stability with Miles’ Quintet acquiring the legendary rhythm section of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. They would stay with Miles for the next five years, forming the group I saw live at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1967, while this 1963 release was among the last to feature standards such as ‘Basin Street Blues’ and ‘I Fall In Love Too Easily’ instead of all-original material from Miles and the band members. Issued in MoFi’s ‘regular’ range, not a One-Step, it’s a gorgeous-sounding LP, with superior three-dimensionality. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Curtis Counce
You Get More Bounce With Curtis Counce!
Craft Recordings/Contemporary CR00389 (180g vinyl)

This was the second LP in the far-too-small solo catalogue of double-bassist Counce, and a stand-out example of the kind of perfectly recorded jazz which sated hungry audiophiles in the 1950s. Recorded in 1956-7, it possesses all of the sonic appeal associated with quintets, Counce’s group consisting of bass, trumpet, piano, tenor sax and drums – large enough to have greater impact and weight than a compact trio, yet small enough to remain intimate. Not dissimilar to Miles’ Album Choice [above], this set is accessible without lapsing into easy listening, and his ‘Stranger In Paradise’ is gorgeous. Sadly, Counce would leave this world six years after recording it. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Sandy Salisbury & Curt Boettcher
Try For The Sun
Sundazed LP5653 (mono and stereo)

While this sounds exactly like what it is – a collection of demos and rough recordings that languished in the vaults – the music is so delightful that you can ignore the lack of studio polish normally intrinsic to ‘sunshine pop’ of the Association/Harper’s Bizarre ilk. The liner notes explain why this stunning example of the genre was never released, and why Salisbury and the ill-fated Boettcher didn’t achieve the fame they deserved. If you’re a fan of the lighter side of West Coast 1960s pop, post-early Beach Boys and celebrating the ethos of the Summer of Love, you’ll be grateful that Sundazed must be employing a devotee of the genre. A delicious surprise. KK

Sound Quality: 80%

The Undertones
Positive Touch/The Sin Of Pride
Ardeck/BMG BMGCAT777LPX/BMGCAT791LPX (coloured vinyl)

This pair completes the reissuing of the legendary Irish punk-inspired band’s original quartet of LPs from the Feargal Sharkey-as-lead-singer period, representing, too, a change of record labels. Respectively their third and fourth albums, from 1981 and 1983, they exhibited the inevitable maturing from their ‘Teenage Kicks’ head space, with politics affecting Positive Touch, while Sharkey considers The Sin Of Pride to be their finest. The LPs contain a number of tracks which appeared on singles, including ‘Julie Ocean’, ‘It’s Going To Happen’ and ‘The Love Parade’, while much care has been taken with the reissues, including Positive Touch’s textured sleeve. KK

Sound Quality: 85%