Greensleeves TBM5011 Recorded 1978. Three Blind Mice Records Inc. a subsidiary of Sony Direct Japan Inc. Manufactured and distributed by Impex Records Inc. Featuring Shoji Yokouchi Trio plus Yuri Tashiro on Hammond B3 Organ. 3000 numbered copies produced worldwide. Reissue is 180 Gram LP pressed at RTI, in California. Impex cutting engineer: Chris Bellman, Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, from the original master tapes. For Impex: Bob Donnelly, Project Producer. Price MSRP is $34.99.
I am familiar, of course, with this prestige audiophile label from Japan, but only own two of their recordings: Midnight Sugar and Girl Talk. Both are famous superb recordings, and offer amazing audiophile sound and performances of top notch jazz arrangements. They have been reissued often by TBM and other companies, worldwide. That said, Greensleeves has never been reissued on LP by anyone, anywhere! Maybe Greensleeves was just too exciting, too bold, too dynamic, too melodic, too unusual to include a Hammond B3 organ, or maybe just ALL of the above!
I vote for "all of the above," for I cannot understand how Bellman got 100% of the dynamics, power, subterranean deep powerful bass, delicate guitar, bass riffs, and drums all on a 33 RPM release without the instruments colliding into one another. I am shocked by the RTI pressing of such utter quiet and explosive punch. Played with my Kiseki Purple Heart Cartridge on the EAT C Sharp Turntable system and with my Grado Epoch Cartridge on the E.A.R. Disc Master Turntable system, harmonics and layered realistic textures lived in the room as the needle found its groove. Imaging is pin-point stable and precise, and dynamics never overload.
If this is not the ultimate audiophile demonstration LP released this year, then none will be released. I dare you to stop listening to this LP once the first cut has commenced! With mostly standards jazzed up for the brilliant musicians to love to play, I was constantly tapping my toes and reminiscing on when I first heard a certain melody. What great fun!
Though the classic acoustic guitar played like a steel guitar is compelling to the max, the Hammond B3 organ steals the show and the album. I have never ever heard anything like this. You float with the notes, high and low, as the room becomes pressurized with this musical power. Yuri Tashiro, a superb female artist, has a delicacy in her playing that forces the organ to reveal tenderness and force in equal parts. WOW!
My favorite cut: "Willow Weep for Me," Ann Ronnell. Just magical and melodic, this tune allows all the musicians to show off their playing excellence and propels the instruments to their utmost limits. The original TBM recording engineer was a true savant.
Summary
Packaged by Impex in slick classy gloss and full color, Greensleeves is a high-quality production for a top jazz collection. Prediction: this release will triple in price! For those smart enough to buy multiple copies and put extras away, a bonus awaits them! This is the best audiophile system demonstration LP I have heard in ages, and a must-own.
Thank you Impex! Greensleeves receives my highest BUY recommendation!
