Cool Struttin'

Recorded in the hey day of cool jazz, in the famous Van Gelder studios for the master of all jazz labels, Blue Note, and starring some of the big names of the time this is an album with an impressive pedigree. And it lives up to all expectations.The original album was four extended cuts of superb cool jazz. In contrast to some of the other great albums of the time the feel of the album is a little more up tempo than usual, with some great swinging sets that really get you tapping your foot to the beat.The rhythm section of Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones do superlative work in the background, laying down a rock steady beat for the soloists, Art Farmer on trumpet, Jackie McLean on sax and Sonny Clark on piano, to work around. Everyone really gets to stretch their legs, with all players given room to breathe and shine individually, but it is when they all come together that the magic is really in the air.Included in this edition are two cuts, Royal Flush and Lover that did not make it onto the original album. These are worthy additions, and really add to the album. It must have been a tough choice when this was originally released, deciding which tracks had to be cut!As with all the Rudy Van Gelder Edition series, I have found the remastering to be excellent, with my untutored ears finding a nice crisp sound and good separation when played on my stereo.

Stereo, unlike the Blue Note 75 pressing which was mono. Interesting to have both versions; the mono is warmer sounding and not without its merits whilst the stereo is crisper and more revealing. Considerably better pressing than the 75, nearly flawless. And the music? Heaven on earth!

Hi Amazon.five stars great to listen to during the day/early evening superb. bye for now..

Vinyl ReviewThis Classic series version is so much better than the 75th Series, alive, vibrant, soars, punches, a WOW referenceVinyl Review: Blue Note Classic SeriesCover: well made, good card stock, crisp clear images and textLiner: poly lined paper inner sleeve, replaced with archival sinner post record cleanVinyl: flat silent, no surface noise or visible defectsA 5* reference recording, sounds so alive, open and spacious.. An excellent pressing and recording. There is no comparison with the 75th Anniversary Series copy which sounds flat, compressed and lifeless. This is the version to get. The sound quality and package are outstanding and excellent value for money.I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile. • Clarity – crisp clear spacious dynamic • Channel separation - excellent • Channel balance - excellent • Sound Stage – spacious wide airy quite deep and detailed. Open and transparent • Distortion – non audible • Compression – excellent dynamic range, deep bass and soaring top end • Atmosphere – front row in quiet a large club, lot of detail but not cold or sterile • Bass – low frequencies – excellent, deep clear acoustic bass, audible drums which are crisp and punch • Treble – high frequencies – the horns soar, crisp and punchy, the piano is very crisp and clear. The snare and cymbals snap and shimmer • Vocals - noneAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.CD Review – EMI/Blue Note RVG Edition 1999This is an excellent recording as the sound quality is very revealing. This shows in the quality of the snare drum sound, the decay of the piano notes especially when allied with the bite of the trumpet and horns.The clarity of this recording gives it real presence enabling you to believe that the performers are in front of you. The sound has a dynamism, loud when needed and soft to deliver a counter balance. Above all the instruments sound right, i.e. realistic.A recording worth adding to your collection.I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile. • Clarity - excellent • Channel separation – very good • Channel balance – instruments clearly positioned on the sound stage • Sound Stage – excellent, wide and full, the instruments are well positioned and there is a very good stereo image which will not disappoint • Distortion – non audible • Compression – excellent dynamic range, deep rich bass and clear treble. Very good dynamic range • Atmosphere – very good sound stage, gives the impression of a personal performance in that it is possible to envisage the performers standing in front of you • Bass – low frequencies – the acoustic double bass has a solid melodic “thrum” which drives the beat along. It is not relegated to the background. Similarly the drums have a good timbre and sound. The drums have a natural ring and rattle to them which helps bring the performance alive. Whilst slightly muted the cymbals have a good shimmer. The bass is very well balanced not being lost in the mix but acting as the foil to the sax, horns and piano. The snare drum rim shots are stunning. • Treble – high frequencies – the piano is superbly recorded having fabulous note decay but allied to the right “ring” on the higher notes. The trumpet and sax sound is to die for, crystal clear, sharp and punchy. The bite compliments the very rich double bass tones which are warm and enveloping. • Vocals - nonAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.

This is a first rate recording of this great maestro. Can't recommend it too highly. At the peak of his performance. Never stop listening to it.

Wonderful!

Want a pick me up? Try this then. This is the music of "cool" and Sonny Clark is one of the coolest. Today's so-called pop stars could learn a lot from this album.

More great jazz. I love it.

Played on my Heresy II and Dynaco ST35.

This is a classic for a reason. The compositions are great, the solos are wonderful and the rhythm section cooks throughout, especially PJJ. Even the cover art is cool. The sound quality is good but not among the top of the BNC series; it was first released in 1958 after all. The vinyl pressing I received was flat and quiet.

A decent innersleeve and good Amazon packaging ensured that despite the delivery driver's efforts to damage the record, it arrived in perfect condition.Dead quiet and dynamic. The jacket is obviously fairly basic, but what really counts is the record itself - and that is perfect!A great deal for €17.

A costo di diventare ripetitivo dirò che siamo ancora una volta di fronte ad un vinile ralizzato con grande cura che regala momenti di vero godimento musicale.Registrato nell'epoca d'oro del Jazz è un "must have" per gli appassionati del genere.Consigliato.

Cet album est culte au Japon où il s’en serait vendu davantage que le mythique « Blue Train »de Coltrane. De fait Art Farmer et Jackie McLean forment un couple de solistes très complémentaires. Assez suave le premier, mordant le second. Quant au leader que ce soit comme soliste ou accompagnateur ou compositeur il est admirable, pas une ride dans cet album de 1958. Ce qui vaut pour tous les albums de ce pianiste prématurément disparu à 31 ans mais dont la stature commence enfin à être reconnues.