Sonny Clark - Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series (2025)
The follow up to Dial ‘S’ For Sonny and only his 2nd as leader this record surrounds Sonny Clark with possibly some of the best Jazz musicians of the day Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Art Taylor, Curtis Fuller who played on Dial ‘S’ and Paul Chambers.
Together they play some excellent music it’s a record you want to listen to all the way through a part from it just being nice to find the time to do so it is a rare treat.
I do not own a turntable but my granddaughter had started using one several months ago and asked for a couple of albums for her birthday.
She did request the first two below.
Yttling Jazz - Illegal Hit, Year 0001 (2025)
The three singles released so far have all been excellent and Illegal Hit especially has some very interesting and different mixes.
I have only skipped through the rest of the record and at first listen it has some Mingusness about it albeit a very modern take. I will listen more intently when I get the chance and report further.
Have not managed to fully tame the well known vocals issue - but stunning sound in every other respect.
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Impulse Records (mono) (2025)
Like the 2020 Acoustic Sounds stereo version this is remastered by Ryan K Smith, has the same beautifully reproduced cover visually the only difference is the mono/stereo markings on the cover and the record label and the stereo label is a darker orange.
This new mono version the first vinyl reissue in 50 years is pressed at RTI and the Acoustic Sounds Stereo reissue was pressed at QRP.
I went straight for Side 2 because I just love Elvin Jones drumming intro and also McCoy Tyner’s piano on Pursuance is brilliant, sonically like the stereo version this version is excellent I will compare the two at some point and post my thoughts.
I’m actually surprised to read that the original mono mix was taken from a two track stereo mix and ‘folded down’ perhaps it’s because Ryan Smith has used ‘better’ modern equipment because after listening to the stereo version I prefer the mono and this is on stereo set up.
I actually don’t think Coltrane’s sax sounds shrill on either version as some people have reported there are better sonic examples of his playing but the slightly forward sound always suited the playing on ALS to my ears.
I’m putting together a dedicated mono set up over the next year or so as I’ve probably amassed over 100 original mono records and about the same amount of modern mono reissues like this one and curious to hear how they will all sound then.
A reissue of Ranges’ 2023 album “33”. A truly monumental post rock odyssey from the Montana riffers.
For fans of Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor and the Dunk! Records catalogue.
One of my grails arrived first thing this morning. Buckingham Nicks. Rhino high fidelity #2339 of 5000 Cut by Kevin Gray. Immaculate condition.
My friends got me this signed copy of the new Faithless album for my birthday. I believe the phrase is “well chuffed” 
Nice, its a cracking album as well, kicked off Friday evening with side 1 set to too loud, absolutely enthralling.
Agreed, I’m really enjoying it. It’s been a long time since I can remember enjoying a new electronic artist album this much. They’ve really nailed it.
I loved the last one as well, its still one of my most played consistently, and then the 2.0 album.
I thought the last album was All Blessed, but your post made me do a Google search and I discovered there is one from 2023 with R Plus. Bonus! I’ll be listening to it today 
I did mean All Blessed but enjoy the R Plus one 
SML - Small Medium Large, International Anthem Recording Co (2024)
I actually pre ordered this record on release and it didn’t arrive so I got a refund and always meant to reorder it but didn’t do so until recently.
On the excellent Chicago based IAR Co label this group of musicians are very, very talented this album was recorded live over a couple of nights and then similarly to Miles Davis In a Silent Way it was cut up and edited and then put back together.
I have Jeff Parker’s The New Bred on the same label and the production or pressing leaves a lot to be desired as sonically it’s lacking which lets down the excellent music.
however this LP is a very different story it is sonically excellent which does the brilliant and forward thinking music real justice.
