Audiophile Vinyl

This 60th anniversary-plus reissue of Puente’s 1962 gem (also a celebration of his centenary) is not special just for its undeniable sonic worth. In this section of the magazine, that’s usually enough to merit ‘Album Choice LP’ – the impressively flat and heavy vinyl, lacquers cut from the original tapes by Kevin Gray – but it’s also utterly compelling if irresistible rhythms and virtuoso musicianship push your buttons. Yet there’s another important justification for buying this honey of an LP from the ‘King of Latin Music’: it contains the debut of ‘Oye Cómo Va’, the song immortalised by Santana in an arrangement so close to this that your understanding of Santana’s roots will be amplified ten-fold. KK
Sound Quality: 90%

The Black Crowes
The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion
American Recordings 00602458349801 (180g vinyl)

For this snob/old misery-guts, the 1990s were a musical desert. Oasis, Blur, Take That, the Madchester scene – I wanted to give it all up. Then this band arrived, and the sun came out. It was a fresh take on the spirit of southern soul-and-blues-derived rock, The Allman Brothers via the 1980s Georgia scene, and this sophomore release proved that the debut [HFN Oct ’23] wasn’t a fluke. This was remastered from the original tapes, and is a perfect solution if you don’t want to stretch to the 4LP box set. Chris Robinson’s snarling vocals, a Wurlitzer behind him, searing guitar work – hear why this reached Billboard’s No 1 slot, and delivered four No 1 singles. KK
Sound Quality: 90%

The Superfine Dandelion
The Superfine Dandelion
Sundazed/Mainstream LP5675 (blue vinyl)

Mainstream – now a label collectible à la Vertigo – delivered some of the coolest, yet hardest-to-find treasures of the First Psychedelic Era 1965/6-’69, and this one is an absolute delight. More pop than abstract, so you don’t need chemical support to enjoy it, they channelled folk, country, jug-band and more, to sound like a collaboration between the lookalike Charlatans (the pioneering US band, that is) and The Lovin’ Spoonful. Dating from 1967, it boasts terrific sound, including wide and deep stereo for a flow of sonic surprises. This was their only LP – but one band member would co-found The Tubes, as proud a legacy as any. Delicious. KK
Sound Quality: 90%

Run-D.M.C.
King Of Rock
Mobile Fidelity MFSV 1-535 (Supervinyl)

If your copy of Mofi’s Raising Hell [HFN May ’21] is feeling lonely, here’s its precursor from 1985, the group’s second LP. The title isn’t simply a conceit (literal meaning, not the insult) because this was a landmark for Run-D.M.C. and rap, as the rock element is crucial, hinting at the next album’s mash-up with Aerosmith. Even as one of Mofi’s ‘regular’ 33.3rpm series, this still delivers the weight and bass demanded of the genre. My research tells me this was the first rap album to be released on CD, and the third to earn platinum. And if you need a short, sharp shock, the sticker says ‘Hip Hop 50’, which reminds you it’s been around for a half-century. KK
Sound Quality: 85%