Bill Evans – Quintessence

This is cut very loud and sounds very clear and lively. Awesome sounding record

Phenominal. The piano tinkles your eardrums and the bass kicks you in the belly – in a pleasant way. Bill at his best (but I yet have to hear the first record where he wasn’t at his best). Cristal clear recording, broad sound stage (no extreme pannings, like on some oldies, thankfully), full dynamics and dead quit pressing.

Astonishingly good. Why hadn't I listened to this before?? Bill's trios are amazing, obviously, but this may be my favorite Evans record. Kenny Burrell and Harold Land are on fire. My copy is pristine, bought for a pittance. It is easily among the best sounding records in my collection. Not sure which pressing I have though. My etched runout has "PIT" in it. Not seeing a Pitman pressing listed.

Not your typical Bill Evans record, he meets up with Harold Land, Kenny Burrell, Ray Brown, and Philly Joe Jones for a very special quintet recording, 1977. I'm just excited to hear Kenny Burrell playing with Bill Evans; that is a treat.

Recording is great. Nice separation of instruments and good definition. Drums sound natural. They also managed to accurately capture Ray's right hand finger(s) slapping on the fingerboard, which is emblematic of his sound. Just hearing the recording, you know it's Ray Brown.

My favorite tune here is "Bass Face", as everybody gets to stretch and it has a great swingin' groove.

Pressing is great. 4.5 stars. Recommended.

Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. - - -

This pressing is excellent. I’m not sure if it’s simply a repress of the original or a recut, but the sound is truly exemplary. The vinyl of extremely high quality, and the cut is strong and natural. One of the best US 70s/80s records I’ve ever heard. Highly highly recommend

bill steps away from his working trio at the time and joins forces with kenny burrell and the most underrated GOAT harold land and they just cook up some serious business. the reading of 'a child is born' included here is perfection. this is the album for people who think all bill evans albums "sound the same." absolute classic.

Bill Evans – piano
Ray Brown – bass
Philly Joe Jones – drums
Kenny Burrell – guitar
Harold Land – tenor saxophone
[edit]Technical personnel
Helen Keane – producer
Phil Kaffel – engineer
Phil DeLancie – remastering
Galen Rowell - cover photo
Phil Bray - booklet photos