Audiophile Vinyl

Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway
Speakers Corner/Atco SD33-360 180g vinyl

Released in 1971, Hathaway’s second solo album of the three he delivered before ending his life in 1979 differed markedly from his 1970 debut, in that half of that release consisted of his compositions. This eponymous album included only one new Hathaway-penned song, the rest being covers from a wide range of sources, but all attest to superb taste and respect for genres ranging from pop to gospel to country, as well as soul. Mac Davis, Van McCoy, George Clinton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell – he chose well. And the musicians? Al Jackson Jr, Phil Upchurch, Cornell Dupree, King Curtis, Cissy Houston and more. This analogue transfer is the best I’ve heard; buy it if soul is your remedy. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Art Pepper
Gettin’ Together!
Craft CR00713 (180g vinyl)

Again working with one of Miles Davis’s rhythm sections from the late 1950s (after 1957’s Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section with Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones), the saxophonist teamed up with Conte Candoli (trumpet) and erstwhile Davis crew members Wynton Kelly (piano), Chambers (bass) and Jimmy Cobb (drums) to record under pressure. The seven tracks were captured in one session due to the players’ limited availability, but the Bernie Grundman-cut sound is so smooth and bluesy that it clearly wasn’t an issue. Reissued, too, is Intensity [CR00761], recorded in late 1960 with a different ensemble, also cut by Grundman. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

The Leaves
All The Good That’s Happening
Sundazed LP5664 (green vinyl; mono)

Though best known for being the first to record ‘Hey Joe’ back in 1966 and later for providing members of The Turtles, The Leaves were a quintessential 1960s California rock band in every way. This, their second and final album from 1967, is emblematic of the time, with a mixed bag of styles ranging from nascent country rock to the sort of novelty tunes which the British inflicted upon the rock scene and American bands mimicked poorly. So, yes, skip the awful ‘The Quieting Of Oliver Tweak...’ and savour curious originals and unexpected covers like Manfred Mann’s ‘One In the Middle’, Donovan’s ‘To Try For The Sun’ and Buffy Sainte-Marie’s ‘Codine’. KK

Sound Quality: 80%

Santana
Inner Secrets
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 1-559 (180g vinyl)

Regarded as a bit of a departure for the band, Santana’s tenth studio effort, from 1978, was more of a rock album than the signature jazz/Latin blend devotees expected. To put it another way, it wasn’t immediately recognisable as a Santana effort and that worked against it. The point is that it’s still a fine rock LP by any measure. Consisting mainly of originals, the best track is (with some measure of irony if pushing the rock angle) a cover version of Buddy Holly’s ‘Well All Right’, using Blind Faith’s arrangement. Also available is Carlos Santana’s Grammy-winning solo from 1987, Blues For Salvador [MFSL 1-560], with a more jazz-oriented vibe. KK

Sound Quality: 90%