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Rudy remaster is remarkable

Helena Neart | SeattleWA. | 03/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this ancient jazz classic never sounded better.Rudy Van Gelder did an excellent job remastering this one with the 24- bit.He proves that it does matter who takes up the task of remastering this wonderful jazz classic. just keep them coming Rudy."

Good Performances, Flawed Recording

J H Murphy | Agoura, California USA | 10/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a fan of the MJQ, although I prefer the later recordings. This disc has some good performances - I enjoyed La Ronde Suite and But Not For Me the most. Unfortunately, the recordings of the time did not match the performance - at least not on this CD.



Four of these performances were recorded at the Rudy Van Gelderen Studios in Hackensack, New Jersey, and four in New York. What's not publicized is that the "studio" was his living room - see Alyn Shipton's "New History Of Jazz" if you doubt me! And I think that this particular recording came before Van Gelderen had the technique quite down - compare the sound quality of cuts 1-3 and 8 to "Somethin' Else" (Adderley/Davis) recorded a few years later at the same location.



I wouldn't say that this is only for MJQ collectors; but be aware that, for me at least, it sounds a little flat, and the sound one critic likened to Steuben glass is only a hint on this CD. I'd say 3-1/2 stars, give it four if you love the MJQ."