Audiophile Vinyl

Lori Lieberman
Perfect Day
LowSwing Records LSOW 012 (45rpm One-Step 140g vinyl)

Like Reason opposite, here are two originals and six cover versions from contemporary sources as Lori has already shown her skills with the Great American Songbook. The title cut is the oft-covered Lou Reed classic, sounding as fine as any interpretation yet, while others include Tracy Chapman’s ‘Can I Hold You’, The Cure’s ‘Love Song’, and one each from the undervalued Ron Sexsmith and Scott Engel (aka Walker). Produced with turntable manufacturer Brinkmann, this is an audiophile LP of the most fastidious calibre, with notes so detailed – every instrument, mic and cutting technique described – that you’ll grasp how it earned the rating below, and why 140g vinyl. Arguably Lori’s best yet. KK

Sound Quality: 95%

Ars Nova
Ars Nova
Sundazed LP5648 (green vinyl)

New York six-piece Ars Nova’s eponymous debut from 1968 was a perfect example of Elektra Records’ adventurousness during the height of psychedelia. This group addressed, too, a few other genres peripheral to psych, including prog-rock, classical rock (both emerging concurrently in the UK) and baroque rock as exemplified by The Left Banke and Procol Harum. While Ars Nova only lasted for two albums, this is certainly worth hearing, especially if any of those abstract tributaries in rock appeal to you. Less distractingly experimental than most psychedelia, it’s rich with superb melodies and atypical instruments. Green vinyl and gatefold sleeve? Seriously cool. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Johnny Pacheco
Cañonazo
Fania Records/Craft CR00759 (180g vinyl)

This 60th anniversary remastering of Fania’s first-ever release honours a game-changing LP that now commands up to £50+ for a decent first pressing. Dominican-born band leader and salsa legend Pacheco embraced Cuban and other Latino music, established The Fania All-Stars and was undeniably one of most important evangelists for Caribbean music. This was recorded by his Pacheco y Su Nuevo Tumbao and featured Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodríguez on vocals. The tracks come from popular Cuban artists of the 1950s/’60s along with compositions by Pacheco. As for the staggering sound, the all-analogue lacquers were cut from the original masters. Hypnotic. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Simon & Garfunkel
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Mobile Fidelity MFSV 1-546 (180g SuperVinyl)

For those who missed the One-Step edition, here is the single-LP, 33.3rpm surrogate. I would like to think that the fracas over MoFi’s intermediate digital stage is closed, and refer you to Barry Fox recently quoting J Gordon Holt: ‘The way something is done is of far less importance than how well it is done’. By any measure, this classic sounds as resplendent as it should, the title track particularly majestic and ‘The Boxer’ a tear-jerker. Considering that (allegedly) the actual analogue master tapes are missing, this may be as good as it gets, short of finding a mint first pressing or open-reel tape. Also available is Bookends [MFSV 1-546] and it’s just as satisfying. KK

Sound Quality: 90%