Ryo Fukui – A Letter From Slowboat

When the first time I listened this lp, I instantly tought "ohh no it's a poorly remastered or a bad pressed vinyl". After the second song I started to feel like maybe its the recording itself rather then those, and after not being trying to critical listener and letting go myself with the trio, I started feel like I'm in a small performing room with the band, a room with a different sound characteristic, one that sounds and makes you feel like relaxed, warm and the band was playing only for me.

And soon I started to read the inner booklet, the english part ofcourse, to see if I can find in which studio they might have recorded this album or is it something else rather than that. And there it was, I was right about that. In the 8th paragraph it was written " The recording took place at Slowboat on January 25 and 26, 2015, with no audience. 'Because Slowboat was not a recording studio, we knew that the equipment and sound quality will not be ideal. But I still wanted to do the recording with the sound of the piano at Slowboat, and I'm confident that we succeeded in expressing the trio's unique sound and the three musicians' emotions coming from performing at the venue for a decade by doings,' said Yasuko."

After that I also listened the digital file version then the cd of the album at my friend and back to vinyl again and I can say that vinyl version is better in of instrument seperation and the feeling of "you are there with the band". Also sounds better in of quality too but i didn't listened the cd at my home so I can't be so sure of it. And also halfspeed remastered or not, I think most probably it's not gonna change that much. It is what it is. And it's a good record, not a record that sounds cristal clear high perfect bass nor mastered from a youtube video. Actually it's really good, you just have to know how to appreciate it. Anyway If your first priotiry is music itself rather than sound quality and wanna listen a great jazz album, it's is a must have. Cause this album is just so good, the trio plays wonderfull, great song after great song. Ahhh makes me wish I was there and listen the trio live at that night, or wait was I...

Edit: Really, I do absolutely not get what people cheer here!
Absolutely not.
The pressing itself is still, after several deep cleaning procedures noisy.
Pressing is not of high quality and the master/recording itself is also quite questionable. Really!

I know, I‘m pretty alone with my opinion here, but as in fact I‘m listening to Side A right now, I gotta add this to my comment.

This record here is far, far from stellar!

I heard this right before:

https://discogs.mejorespelis.org/release/21718498-Chisato-Yamada-Suite-Nihonkai-%E7%B5%84%E6%9B%B2%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%B5%B7%E6%B4%A5%E8%BB%BD%E3%81%98%E3%82%87%E3%82%93%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E6%B5%81%E3%82%8C%E7%AF%80

And this record just dissapoints afterwards.

Really really crackly right now in middle of Side A…
Sounds like a pressing for 1€ from the local fleamarket.

Sound is very far from stellar compared to other records I have.
Especially regarding jazz recordings.
Especially regarding older pressings.

I say: barely acceptable.

This press here needed several deep washing runs till most clicks and pops were gone.
And still it is not flawless.
And that‘s not due to my washing procedure. It is the pressing itself.

There are still many on one track - so really not a good pressing.

I mean it was sealed and new.
I got older records I bought as used in VG-VG+ and they are better.

It also sounds compressed and really not stellar.
The drums are very unrealistic, completely flat, no punch at all.
This can be ed to the venue/the recording surroundings.
So the master is also not overwelming.
Compressed and dull really nails it.

To me it sounds like it also could be a mp3 CD i just play.
Dull. Without real depth.

Disappointing.

I hope the Japanese Re-Presses are better…

Phenomenal sound. If you love Scenery do yourself a favor and grab this album and listen to the last album by Ryo Fukui

We got this with our 'Good Thing' coffee and vinyl subscription and boy does it remind you of holiday season! They still have it available on their website for Tandem Coffee Roasters. Might put one aside for a Vince Guaraldi fan on my shopping list.

The first bars make you wish you had been in Hokkaido, when this was recorded, and where Fukui used to play regularly. The music is magnificent and we must be grateful to have this document of an outstanding artist. The trio is tightly knit and swings hard. There is a Bud Powell-like intensity to the playing. Timeless music.

While the music fully deserves five stars, the sound quality is not at that level. The stage is compact, the instruments close together, the acoustic bass often not well defined. There is a nice, mellow balance overall, but without details. Hard to believe this was recorded in the 21st century,. In the liner notes the suboptimal conditions are hinted at, though. I am sure the folks at Three Blind Mice recordings. Four stars for the sound, if I'm generous. The pressing is impeccable, but needs a good cleaning, as others noted.

AMAZING press, beautiful packaging and the sound quality is outstanding. Gave it a clean before spinning since it was really dirty, coming in the paper inner sleeve (why?!?!?), same issue als not.adam, some pops and surface noise, but this is normal after a first play after cleaning on my system and way of cleaning. Now I want al the WRJ Ryo Fukui editions..

System : Rega P6 / Ania MC - Fono MC - Advance Paris Playstream A7 - B&W 706 S2

I hate to it that it has taken me this long for me to "discover" Ryo Fukui, but I am so glad I did. This artist (and album) has the flow and sense of storytelling that Bill Evans had, with the slow swing of an Ellington or Monk in the wee hours. This recording sounds truly "live", and the mastering and pressing are top notch. Any lover of jazz piano (and seriously anyone who loves Bill Evans) owes it to themselves to listen to this. Highly recommended.

Just picked this up because the half-speed remaster of Scenery (not the 180g version) was amazing, I can't wait to listen to this! Only thing I can note as of now is that the disc was pretty dirty and came in a paper sleeve, but a good clean should take care of it. If it's anything like the Scenery pressing I have a feeling it'll be good.

UPDATE: Fantastic pressing, just like Scenery. There's a bit of surface noise but I played it after a quick dry clean so I imagine there's still bits of dust in the grooves from the paper inner sleeve they give you. I'm not sure why a pressing this expensive would be shipped in a paper inner sleeve, but I digress. Definitely pick this up if you're a fan of Ryo Fukui, you won't be disappointed!

Just received them - they sound just as good/big as Scenery and Mellow Dream. Very happy. 180g with OBI and gold half speed sticker for those wondering.

Still readily available directly from the label's Bandcamp, no need to spend more than €28.