Eric Dolphy – Out To Lunch!

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.

Perfect, sounds wonderful. Full sound and full bodied presentation. Some pressings in this collection are iffy but this one top notch! Worth all of the £10 I bought it for.

Sounds amazing! Only discovered by accident…Mono remaster for $20…sign me up! Mine didn’t come with any inserts…anyone else?

This is a rather fabulous sounding BN pressing. Not sure who mastered it but they did a fine job. Pressed in and to a high standard.

I really like the D’Agostini series, but I already had the Music Matters version of this one so assumed I would want to sell it. I was really pleased when I realized I now had a mono vision rsion. It very clearly is in mono. The “stereo” marking on the back is not an authentic font and the catalog number, which is on the cover and the label, indicate mono. I don’t personally know why they chose mono but it’s an excellent version and the pressing is very quiet as well. I can understand why someone might want the newer stereo edition. That’s a great series as well. But if you want a different view of a great record, I think it’s a great alternative.

Amazon sent me this instead of Blue Note Classic Series (even though it was described as such). Not a terrible reissue but was expecting a KPG mastering

reply to this if you only have this (or multiples of this) because of the zavvi jazz starter pack

Hi ! mono or stereo version ? Stereo write on the back !! 🤔

Hi ! mono or stereo version ? Stereo write on the back !! 🤔

Why did they decide to do the Deagostini vinyl re-issue in mono?