Audiophile Vinyl

Donovan
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Impex IMP6055 (180g vinyl)

This immaculate reissue of Donovan’s 1968 opus is a reminder that his albums were always fine-sounding as well as musically rewarding. Whether or not he’ll be the subject of rediscovery I can’t say, but he deserves it: this still sounds as fresh as it did nearly 60 years ago. The title track is a perfect example of psychedelic/folk/world music, its sound uniquely mystical, while ‘Jennifer Juniper’ is a peerless hippie anthem. Impex has produced a must-have here: all-analogue HQ-180g vinyl derived from a 1-to-1 copy of the US master tape by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, plated and pressed at RTI. Welcome, too, is the heavy-weight laminated sleeve and 4pp insert. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Alanis Morissette
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
Mobile Fidelity MFSL2-562 (two LPs)

For such a well-known singer-songwriter, Morissette has released only ten albums in a 35-year career, but it’s truly a case of quality over quantity. This 1998 title, her fourth (and second US No 1), was inspired by a trip to India and is thus imbued with spiritual observations, a development in her canon which reminded me in intent – if not quite musically – of The Beatles’ visit to the Maharishi and its effects, as well as mid- to-later albums from Carlos Santana. That said, it’s fascinating stuff which reinforced Morissette as a singer of real depth, unlike those who mainly whine about ex-boyfriends. Sonically, it certainly merits the Mobile Fidelity treatment. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Lonnie Johnson with Elmer Snowden
Blues & Ballads
Bluesville/Craft CR00838 (180g vinyl)

When you need a change from urban blues, preferring something more lean and pure, little can beat a trio of two guitars and bass. But what makes this magical for us is the small print: this was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in 1960, when Johnson was among the original bluesmen being rediscovered. He’s heard here with Elmer Snowden on guitar and Wendell Marshall on bass, performing a mix of originals and covers. A standout is Bessie Smith’s ‘Backwater Blues’, which Johnson had first recorded in 1927, and a killer ‘Jelly Roll Blues’. This isn’t just intimate: it’s so well recorded (early stereo spread!) that it earns demo status. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Joni Mitchell
Hejira
Mobile Fidelity UD1S 2-053 (two One-Step 45rpm LPs)

Unsurprisingly, Mitchell’s popularity diminished slightly the further she dug into jazz, but this stunner from 1976 has more in common with its predecessors than do the later albums. Adding to the charges of more-jazz-than-rock were backing musicians Jaco Pastorius on bass and guitarist Larry Carlton; but jazzy or not, that didn’t stop Hejira from going gold in the USA. Equally, as her audience matured, so did their tastes, which might explain why Hejira is more highly regarded now than it was on release. The resultant work is an intense, cerebral album, not rich with instantly hummable tracks but musically gorgeous. And you’ll appreciate the lyric sheet. KK

Sound Quality: 90%