AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head

Pure Pleasure / Atlantic - PPAN SD1381 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl 

AAA 100% Analogue - Audiophile Mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering London  

Limited Edition - Pressed  at Pallas Germany - Atlantic SD 1381

Lovingly remastered by Ray Staff at Air Mastering , London, this is one of the best of the many MJQ albums out thereThis is a gorgeous remastering of one of the very best albums by my personal favorite jazz group, the MJQ. Sound 5/5 Audiophile Audition

In terms of mastering, Pure Pleasure offer a beautifully quiet pressing with a a low volume master that yearns for you to up the gain on your amplifier to grab as much detail as you can. Easy of the ears and easy on the heart, this LP sweeps over you and gently pins you to your chair - Paul Rigby (The Audiophile Man)

Having sponsored Ornette Coleman at the School of Jazz near Lennox, MA, pianist and composer John Lewis helped launch the controversial career of one of the last great innovators in jazz. Lewis' support of the ragtag Texas native was somewhat unique in jazz circles at the time and even surprising, especially considering the gulf between the classical jazz formality of his group the Modern Jazz Quartet and Coleman's radical notions of free improvisation.

Nevertheless, Lewis not only saw in Coleman the first jazz genius since bebop's Parker, Gillespie, and Monk, but put pay to the praise with the MJQ's 1962 rendition of one of Coleman's most famous numbers, "Lonely Woman." (Along with Art Pepper's 1960 version of "Tears Inside," this was one of the earliest of Coleman covers done.) The 1962 Atlantic album of the same name turns out to be one of the band's best efforts. Lewis and fellow MJQ members Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Connie Kaye capitalize on the dramatic theme of "Lonely Woman" while adding a bit of chamber music complexity to the mix.

The quartet doesn't take Coleman's free form harmolodic theory to heart with a round of quixotic solos, but the group does spotlight the often overlooked strength of his compositional ideas. And while the MJQ further plies its knack for involved pieces on Lewis originals like "Fugato" and "Trieste," the group also balances out the set with looser material more in tune with Jackson's blues and swing sensibilities. A great disc that's perfect for the curious jazz lover.   

The Modern Jazz Quartet - Lonely Woman Pure Pleasure Records. by Paul Rigby (The Audiophile Man),  June 2016

Oh, Pure Pleasure has picked a doozy here. More than that, if you are a fan of classical works and have sometimes wondered about jazz but have never dived into its rich harmonic depths then this LP might just be for you because the first track is a sumptuous blend of both genres and for exciting reasons. Firstly, the title track offers a chamber orchestra take on this jazz track, formalising the jazz structures. Not only does the MJQ offer the music sober and serious respect, they decide to choose one of the very earliest Ornette Coleman covers to do it with. Coleman was one of the last of the great individuals of jazz and was supported in his exploratory works by MJQ’s own John Lewis. The innovating of the man’s playing may not be wholly recognisable here, on this track, but it does reveal that Coleman was on the money in terms of his compositional talents. In many respects, it took Lewis to reveal to the world this important side of Coleman.  

Released in 1962 on the Atlantic label, this album also features Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Connie Kaye and, after the title track and apart from Why Are You Blue, the first track on the B side, tackles a host of Lewis originals such as the light, energetic, low key yet rhythmic Animal Dance that offers a welcome relaxation to the strict adherence of the title track. You can hear Jackson’s influence on many of these originals: the man refuses not to swing, if you catch my drift. 

In terms of mastering, Pure Pleasure offer a beautifully quiet pressing with a a low volume master that yearns for you to up the gain on your amplifier to grab as much detail as you can. Easy of the ears and easy on the heart, this LP sweeps over you and gently pins you to your chair.                   

 
Personnel:

Milt Jackson, vibraphone

John Lewis, piano

Percy Heath, bass

Connie Kay, drums
 
Supervised by Neshui Ertegun
 
Recording supervision by: Phil Iehle & Tom Dowd
 
Recorded in 1962

Lonely Woman
    Animal Dance
    New York 19
    Belkis
    Why Are You Blue
    Fugato
    Lamb, Leopard (If I Were Eve “Original Sin”)
    Trieste

Pure Pleasure Records
The Restoration of the Art of Sound
180g Vinyl Mastered From The Best Available Sources

There really is nothing quite like it.  It’s the touch, the feel, you have to stop and stare, the cover,  the real thing, even the smell.

Its tangible, you can feel it, see it, study it,   muse/dream over it, it’s real, someone  has spent hours and hours over its construction and presentation. Pure Pleasure Records is just that, Pure Pleasure and that is what it has set out to be.  

The music and the physical record.  Something to keep, treasure, admire and above all enjoy.Of course with vinyl it’s not just a record, it’s the cover,  the sleeve notes, you are  holding a unique package, produced by craftsmen.

Pure Pleasure  Records bring you vinyl albums of quality Jazz - Blues - R+B - Soul - Funk, remastered by some of the best engineers in the world and pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl at what is probably the best pressing plant in Europe

 
Pre Analogue Audiophile Mastering
 
Plated and Pressed at Pallas in Germany on 180 Gram Virgin Vnyl
 
Released in Limited Quantities

"Based upon the diversity of music, quality of product and their extraordinary rate of progress, Pure Pleasure Records is our re-issue record company of the year."

PALLAS

Audiophile Vinyl - Made in Germany  For over 60 years the family business in the third generation of the special personal service and quality "Made by Pallas" is known worldwide. Our custom PVC formulation produces consistently high pressing quality with the lowest surface noise in the industry. Our PVC complies with 2015 European environmental standards and does not contain toxic materials such as Lead, Cadmium or Toluene. Our vinyl is both audiophile and eco-grade!