Audiophile Digital

John Coltrane/Ravi Shankar
Jazz Raga
él Records ACME3CD379 (three discs)

While the pitch goes some way to explaining an unlikely pairing of Coltrane and Shankar cuts – not performing together I hasten to add – it does heighten the anticipation for this 3CD set ‘focusing on the spiritual explorations of the two greatest melodic creators on the planet’. Inspired by a quote from The Byrds’ David Crosby, Coltrane and Shankar did meet and shared mutual respect. This sublime study gathers essential tracks from their careers, all of the material recorded between 1956 and ’61. Coltrane highlights come from My Favourite Things and with Miles Davis on Someday My Prince Will Come, the Shankar sessions from Ravi Shankar In London, Three Ragas and Improvisations. Again, the SQ belies the age. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill
Mobile Fidelity UDSACD2281

Should you already own the superb One-Step vinyl reissue [HFN Jan ’26], you’ll only need this if you are a completist/fetishist who likes to have your albums available in more than one format. If, on the other hand, you’re SACD-biased, this will please you no end because the SQ is undeniably worthy of that higher-res digital alternative. As noted in January, Morissette combines a gorgeous voice with a grungy vibe, and the juxtaposition is as surprising in audiophile terms as the heavy rock of Van Halen [HFN Feb ’26] enjoying similar treatment. Again, the material foreshadowed if not quite enabled fellow singer Taylor Swift, while leaving Lily Allen way behind. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Tina Turner
Good Hearted Woman
Explore Rights Management Ltd ExM035CD

While the first official solo album from Turner was her 1974 country effort, Tina Turns The Country On, she had previously recorded an entirely different set of C&W tracks. This is that album, rejected by the record label for the admittedly superior Tina Turns The Country On (at least as far as material goes). That said, this reissue, completely remastered from the original tapes, further narrows the gap between her time with Ike and her later superstar solo career. Again showing Tina could make any number her own, this includes her angsty ‘Stand By Your Man’, Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Lovin’ Him Was Easier’ and the Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson title tune. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

UFO
No Place To Run
Chrysalis CRC1770 (two discs)

UFO had a good run, from 1968 to their latest, third disbandment in 2024, so this freshly remastered version of their eighth studio album, from 1980, has a celebratory if somewhat eulogistic feel. This is classic British heavy rock of the era and their first album post-Michael Schenker, and originally produced by George Martin. Despite having that legendary figure at the controls, main man Phil Mogg thought it sounded ‘flat’, so this should prove more satisfying. As a bonus, it features the single version of ‘Young Blood’ and two alternate tracks, plus a second CD with a previously unreleased concert recorded at the Marquee Club on November 16th, 1980, also remastered. KK

Sound Quality: 85%