Eric Dolphy – Out To Lunch!

This is one of the best records I own and it is absolutely perfect. Flat, clean, and extremely well mastered.

Can't overstate the genius of Dolphy and this incredible cast. Almost unbelievable.

Sound quality of this release is fantastic — alive and kicking and sometimes growling. Great separation and soundstage. Dynamic range for days.

Absolutely amazing pressing! Mine is clean, flat as a pancake, and sounds amazing.

I’ve waited for this album for so long, I didn’t want stream it or listen to it digitally. This little “present” to myself doesn’t disappoint!

Amazing music, amazing quality!

Hello!
Trying to ID my copy before selling it:
All the info matches the record, with the exception of the "P" on the run-out. Information/details on all of the other listings do not match the copy I have either. If anybody has ever encountered this, or has information about what pressing this could be, please message or respond.

Thanks,

I can't comment on the other "Rudy van Gelder Edition" CDs, but this is just unpleasant all around... I don't know what the DR rating is on this is, but it is LOUD, almost distorted, (think Iggy's notorious Raw Power), compressed, zero "atmosphere" or ambience, whatever subjective term you want to use here...I've got several earlier vinyl versions, and the first original US CD 80s release, and this verges on the unlistenable. This is a masterpiece, and my suggestion would be to try to find ANY version previous to this mastering, in whatever format you choose. I was thinking of getting one of the more recent vinyl reissues to have a nice new clean copy, but if they're using anything like this mastering I'm not sure I want to hear it. Just kind of throwing this out here as a warning, because really, you can trust me on this one... this ain't good. The Iggy Raw Power reference kind of stands here, I don't know if this thing is brickwalled or what, but it really comes close to being unlistenable. Had to turn the volume WAY down, and even then...almost at the level of digital clipping. RVG is definitely one of the legends of recording, my God how many masterpieces does this guy have under his belt??? But this CD...avoid. I even took it in my car to try it on a different system, as well as running it on a Blu-ray player thru the HT system. Mindboggling...
Update: found a DR rating online of 09, supposed to be this mastering but it's from an Apple lossless codec, so I'm not quite sure that's exactly accurate for the CD itself... but I did actually dig up the 1987 US CD and we are talking night and day difference... the DR rating on that CD is 15. This is not a corksniffing, yeah maybe my Golden Ears can hear a slight difference thing, had to completely change the volume settings Etc. The 87 CD sounds like music; you know, a band playing in an actual studio...anyway, the older CDs and vinyl pressings aren't even that expensive you may want to just skip this one.

I really not sure I can comment on the other "Rudy van Gelder Edition" CDs, but this is just unpleasant all around... I don't know what the DR rating is on this is, but it is LOUD, almost distorted, (think Iggy's notorious Raw Power), compressed, zero "atmosphere" or ambience, whatever subjective term you want to use here...I've got several earlier vinyl versions, and the first original US CD 80s release, and this verges on the unlistenable. This is a masterpiece, and my suggestion would be to try to find ANY version previous to this mastering, in whatever format you choose. I was thinking of getting one of the more recent vinyl reissues to have a nice new clean copy, but if they're using anything like this mastering I'm not sure I want to hear it. Just kind of throwing this out here as a warning, because really, you can trust me on this one... this ain't good. The Iggy Raw Power reference kind of stands here, I don't know if this thing is brickwalled or what, but it really comes close to being unlistenable. Had to turn the volume WAY down, and even then...almost at the level of digital clipping. RVG is definitely one of the legends of recording, my God how many masterpieces does this guy have under his belt??? But this CD...avoid. I even took it in my car to try it on a different system, as well as running it on a Blu-ray player thru the HT system. Mindboggling...
Update: found a DR rating online of 09, supposed to be this mastering but it's from an Apple lossless codec, so I'm not quite sure that's exactly accurate for the CD itself... but I did actually dig up the 1987 US CD and we are talking night and day difference... the DR rating on that CD is 15. This is not a corksniffing, yeah maybe my Golden Ears can hear a slight difference thing, had to completely change the volume settings Etc. The 87 CD sounds like music; you know, a band playing in an actual studio...anyway, the older CDs and vinyl pressings aren't even that expensive you may want to just skip this one.

Mono Mix.

Listen, everyone’s arguing about this. Of course, it’s not a true pre-’67 mono pressing. But the matrix IDs say it’s mono, and it sounds mono. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. Any issues with the mix—whether by ear or fancy spectral analysis—likely stem from less-than-ideal mastering into a stereo-cut mono mix, meaning it was made for modern stereo needles.

That said, these De Agostini pressings aren’t bad at all. I picked this up for $25 CAD used NM/NM, and it’ll do just fine as a mono mix placeholder until I (hopefully) eventually score an RVG-stamped mono pressing.

I actually have the Japanese De Agostini stereo pressing of Kind of Blue, which—if you research it—is dollar for dollar comparable to some of the better audiophile pressings. My mono mix, on the other hand, is a true 1959 Canadian original from the 1B lacquers (with 1A and 1C going to the first U.S. mono pressings). So aside from promo or test pressings, it’s an OG first pressing—albeit Canadian. It’s possible the metalwork was done in the U.S. as well.

Likewise, my copy of John Coltrane’s Blue Train in mono is from the Blue Note Classic Series, and as a cheap stereo companion, I picked up the Japanese De Agostini pressing (the second in the series). Both of these De Agostini pressings came sealed with the magazine and other extras. I’d say they put the most effort into Kind of Blue, as Blue Train isn’t as amazingly strong.

Anyway, I’m rambling, but the point is these are solid pressings for the price. They can be found sealed or in mint condition for very little, making them great placeholders while searching for early or original pressings.

In the meantime, I’m curious if someone could do a spectral analysis on a ’78 RVG-stamped Our Man in Paris by Dexter Gordon. There are two sides to the groove and two sides to the needle, so I wouldn’t be surprised if spectral analysis shows some channel differences. But I don’t think that’s the right way to judge mono versus stereo on a mono pressing cut for stereo needles.

Hard to believe Van Gelder mastered copies of this classic (which sounds terrific) are going for less than a hundred bucks in 2024.

I don't know if its just bad memory, my stereo sounding better when I'm playing this version today, but I feel its impact on me was significantly greater that the "Classic" reissue mastered by KPG.. I sold that one, but I'm keeping this one for sure.

A fantastic album and a fantastic pressing over all. There are a few very short ages on side B with non-fill artefacts, otherwise it’s very good. I have the Van Gelder edition CD also which also sounds very good but this is even better.