Bill Evans – Interplay [Stereo] (Analogue Productions Fantasy Series 45 RPM Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering.

"Bill Evans' recordings almost always received good to excellent sound, and the Analogue Productions reissues are no exception. While I don't own the original releases, the 45 rpm reissues clearly better, even after VTA adjustments, the later OJC reissues or the earlier 33 1/3 rpm Analogue Productions releases. The 45 rpm reissues are more musical and transparent; instruments have greater three-dimensionality and frequency extremes, especially lower octaves, exhibit greater resolution and impact. Get them before they're sold out!" Myles Astor, Positive-Feedback Online, Issue 34, www.positive-feeback.com

Almost every one of the 11 albums featuring Bill Evans that were issued during his pivotal early years (1956-1964) with Riverside were trio performances. Of the two exceptions, one was strictly speaking not an Evans record (Know What I Mean?, a quartet album that featured Bill but was under the leadership of Cannonball Adderley.) The other is Interplay. Adding trumpet and guitar to create an unusual quintet alignment, concentrating on the standard tunes, and with brighter tempos than are generally associated with his playing, it is a uniquely valuable addition to the catalog of perhaps the most important pianist in modern jazz.

"There is nothing not to like on this two-record set from the Fantasy archives brought to new life by Messrs. Hoffman and Gray…Acoustic Sounds are half-way home with this, their third series of 45RPM re-issues. These releases have done wonders for my greater understanding and appreciation of jazz, simply by providing the best, most enjoyable sound from landmark albums such as this. When you see the names in this quintet, you can rest assured you've got some first-rate musicians waiting to perform. Add to this the history and depth of repertoire in the Riverside label (as well as the other catalogues that fall under the Fantasy – now Concord Music – umbrella) and you can see why this project just keeps on giving you great performances by great artists offered up in studio quality sound. There is something for everyone on this album and the pristine surfaces accompanied by excellent artistic arrangements and playing, set the stage for a real treat. Evans is so easy on the ears and his carefree, articulate style is mesmerizing." Recording = 8/10; Music = 7.5/10 – Richard Foster, Hi-Fi+, Issue 43

(Above description from AcousticSounds.com)