Marcus Belgrave – Gemini II

A few reflections after comparing this reissue to the first pressing, using Nagaoka MP-200 needles and crossfading between the two on a mixer.

1) It is so, so difficult to create a reissue that outshines an original pressing and few folks can pull it off with consistency. That said, for those who do look to venture into the reissue game, please please please ensure the records arrive clean and static free. There’s a surface noise on this record that I hear sometimes on new records and I end up having to give them a wash in my cleaning machine straight out of the sleeve. If you have a good listening situation it really stands out.

2) While not a “bad” pressing and one that I’d recommend as a backup to an original that you either don’t want to play as much or don’t want to shell out for, this is nowhere near as bright and sharp as the original. It sounds a bit dull and flat. When I compare this to another P Vine reissue that I got at the same time, Ira Nepus’ “Trombone Feeling”, it seems to fall a little short, though they both don’t sound as dynamic as their originals. Almost as if the highs on the EQ were pulled back a little.

3) I’m curious to know where they sourced the audio for their pressing. Again, it just sounds a little flat in comparison. I wonder if it’s from a digital source.

All in all, while this isn’t a bad reissue and not one I’d discourage folks from getting, it's not anywhere near the level of other Japanese issues, like the excellent Deep Jazz Reality work done by Yusuke Ogawa.

Fantastic album
Could anyone comment on the sound quality of this re issue

Any feedback on the pressing quality of this if you own it?

Marcus Recorded Space Odyssey and Gemini II at Pioneer Recording Studio both Bob Meloche and I I would engineer the sessions. The musicians were amazing and great to work with in Detroit. Detroit was the Capitol of Jazz for decades starting in the twenties and way beyond. Marcus and Phil would often do Albums with Harold McKinney.

re press !! re press !! re press !! re press !!