Patricia Barber Cafe Blue 1STEP 45RPM (2 LP)

AS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
An Audiophile Favorite! Remixed from the Original Master Tapes by Jim Anderson at Capitol Studios & Remastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering! Cut by Doug Sax & Pressed at QRP!
Singer/pianist's underground classic 1994 album is rich in Melody, Moodiness & Minimalist Pop!
Patricia Barber's outstanding 1994 release Cafe Blue has won more than 15 awards from major international music institutions. Deemed an "underground classic" by jazz Bible Downbeat magazine, the album contains sparkling, indelible improvisations derived as much from Barber's interest in classical music as from jazz. This is where the internationally renowned singer-pianist comes into her own, interpreting songs from outside the traditional jazz repertoire and debuting a handful of original compositions that reveal her innovative, thoroughly distinctive style.
Audiophiles, of course, needn't any introduction to Cafe Blue. Beloved for its transparent, you-are-there sound since its initial release, prized analog editions currently fetch upwards of $150 on the aftermarket. Mobile Fidelity's long-out-of-print 45RPM 3LP edition and Premonition's own 180g copies feature a dynamic clarity, vocal truth, and instrumental body that very few records possess. But not even those versions can compete with this newly minted 180g 2LP set that should belong on the shelf of every music lover.
Fully remixed and remastered, cut from the original tapes by legendary engineer Doug Sax, and meticulously pressed at QRP, Cafe Blue now boasts a seemingly limitless frequency range, transient responsiveness, and tonal realism.
From the dead-quiet surfaces to Barber's steamy, smoky vocals and crisp finger snaps, from Michael Arnapol's acoustic upright bass to guitarist John McLean's tasteful fills, everything is in the right place. Want to turn your listening room into an intimate club populated by one of the most scintillating, creative jazz artists playing today? This is your ticket.
Not that the reference-quality sonics overshadow the phenomenal performances. On "Nardis," Barber and her trio transform the song until it becomes a piece that's both sensitive and wildly exotic. Barber's own "What A Shame" and the self-effacing "Too Rich For My Blood" delve into deep emotional waters, the arrangements sophisticated, cool, elegant, and provocative.
A masterwork on every level, Cafe Blue has never been better. Forget having to shell out up to four times as much for a used copy and secure this new pressing by ordering this 2LP set today!
"A dramatic improvement of what has long been regarded a sonic masterpiece. It is a compelling reason to revisit this work with fresh ears." - Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times, Stereophile
"Cafe Blue has seduced everyone for whom I have ever played it--jazz people, rock people, Medicare people, even computer people. Some call from record stores, sounding slightly desperate: 'That album you played for me the other night! What was her name again?' If you have a voice that's a dark pure whisper straight up from the soul, and if you've lived it yourself, you can sing to people of their innermost anxieties and they will not only love it, they will need it." - Thomas Conrad, Stereophile
"The new mixes maintain the brilliant dynamic range and sonics of the original mixes but Anderson brings the same improvement two decades of maturing brings to a fine wine. Delicious!" - Bob Ludwig, Gateway Mastering
"The artistry of Patricia Barber is tied to the superlative technology of this vinyl pressing. Re-mixed at Capitol Records with a Neve 8068 console, EMT plates and a live reverberation chamber, the texture of the sound quality is rich. Barber’s alto is captured vibrantly in its broad depth and soaring upper register. The echoes and fades of the guitar are robust, and the precision of the drums (cymbals, sticks) and percussion (bongo, handclap) is exceptional. There is fluidity in all of the bass tones. Sparse arrangements sound full and multi-dimensional. The HQ-180 pressing is pristine without any pops or hisses. Gatefold jackets and high-gloss packaging add to the luster. The liner notes describe the re-mastering process from engineer, Jim Anderson (who worked on the original recording) and others. Café Blue on audiophile vinyl is as dazzling as SACD or 45rpm analog technology." - Audiophile Audition, audaud.com, September 2011
"It's set in a dark, atmospheric musical space that recording engineer Jim Anderson captured perfectly, bathing Barber's sultry voice in a mysterious shroud of reverb created not by artificial means as was common at the time, but by establishing an improvised chamber under some stairs at CRC (Chicago Recording Company) where the record was produced. In fact, it's an even more impressive musical feat all these years later, particularly the backing trio that dazzles with audacious improvisations and lock-step communication even as it clears space for Barber's vocals and meshes effortlessly with her expressive piano. It's jazz of course but John McLean's guitar work brings it into a rock space, while the A&R work that covers everything from 'Ode to Billy Joe' to 'The Thrill is Gone' and Miles' 'Nardis' defies genre-fication." - Michael Fremer, analogplanet, Music 9/11, Sound 8/11
Bottom line, I was absolutely floored by the sound quality... this is the real deal. For audiophiles seeking out the very best when it comes to visceral involvement and musical satisfaction, the IMPEX 1-Step Café Blue is a true delight. For those adding to their One Step collection or for others looking for an opportunity to experience this pressing technology for the first time, I strongly recommend that you check this one out. - Robert S. Youman, Positive Feedback
As good as the original and the 2011 remix sounded, this knocks it out of the park with better dynamics, not to mention more detailed texture and stunning tonal quality. Add to that the deluxe tri-fold cover, beautifully crafted liner notes and cloth bound slip case, and 5,000 owners will own an audiophile and music lover's treasure. - Hi-Fi+, Recording 10/10, Music 9/10
Pinning down the definitive vinyl edition can be daunting, but Impex Records has met the challenge. Sourcing Premonition Records' 2011 remix, Impex employed the costly 1Step process, which bypasses the father / mother stages. With Kevin Gray handling the 1Step mastering chores, Barber's interpretations spring from the grooves with discrete imaging, electric immediacy, and immersive ambience. A showcase for Barber's crack trio of players, Barber's distinctive voicings play unselfishly within the groove of the band. Tracks like 'What a Shame' and 'Too Rich For My Blood' shine with finely wrought transients, shudder with deep-water bass extension, expressive percussion, and full bloom piano harmonics. Cymbals flare outward into the widest expanses of the soundstage. The sheer lack of veiling or groove noise testifies to the use of Neotech's vinyl formulation, VR900 Supreme. Pressed at RTI, the 45rpm double LP is exquisitely slipcase-packaged and annotated. You've never heard Cafe Blue like this before. - Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, April 2021, Music 4.5/5, Sonics 5/5

Features:

• Limited to Two Copies Per Customer
• Strictly limited to 5000 numbered pressings
• 1STEP Process
• 45rpm 180 Gram Vinyl
• Double LP
• Pressed on VR900-Supreme Vinyl
• Exclusively cut from the original analog work masters
• Cut by Kevin Gray at CoHearent Audio
• Packaged in a heavy-duty 3-sleeve jacket
• Cool retro-modern linen-wrapped slip case
• Deluxe booklet featuring a brand-new note from Patricia Barber

Musicians:

• Patricia Barber, piano, vocals
• John McLean, guitars
• Michael Arnopol, bass
• Mark Walker, drums, percussion, body parts

Selections:

Side A
1. What A Shame
2. Mourning Grace
3. A Taste Of Honey
Side B
1. Ode To Billie Joe
2. Too Rich For My Blood
3. Mahna De Carnaval
Side C
1. Inch Worm
2. Wood Is A Pleasant Thing To Think About
3. Nardis
Side D
1. The Thrill Is Gone
2. Romanesque
3. Yellow Car III