Donny Hathaway – Donny Hathaway [Stereo] (Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Audiophile Series 45 RPM Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.

Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

A timeless soul classic album!

180-gram 45 RPM double LP

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original master tape

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing

"AP's Atlantic 75 reissue is a major sonic upgrade across the board. The increase in dynamic range is especially noticeable and adds extra intensity, orchestral power, and drama to 'Givin' Up' and the big finale of 'She Is My Lady.' In the intro to 'Magnificent Sanctuary Band,' the bass drum moves air while the handclaps crack out and fade immediately to silence. The low noise of the high quality vinyl, superbly pressed, creates more space between the instruments and a slightly deeper, wider soundstage. Most importantly, Hathaway's voice is smoother, more dynamic, and warm. The last beautiful high notes that he sings on 'to yo…..oo…oouuu' at the end of 'A Song For You' actually go higher on the Atlantic 75 after the point they fade into the surface noise on the original press. Analogue Productions has done a superb reissue of 'Donny Hathaway.' The album sounds significantly better than it ever has, no doubt about it, even on a modest system." — Music = 08/11; Sound = 08/11 — Joseph W. Washek, TrackingAngle.com, Jan. 8, 2025. Read the entire review here.

Donny Hathaway's second album, released in April 1971, can be considered the antithesis of a "sophomore slump." The collection of cover songs found the artist not only spotlighting his talent, but his tastes. Among the songs he chose to cover on the LP was Leon Russell's "A Song for You," taken from Russell's debut album which was barely a year old at the time. Hathaway's impassioned version is so strong that many listeners are still shocked to discover that the song is indeed a cover.

With songs by Billy Preston ("Little Girl"), Mac Davis ("I Believe in Music") and Van McCoy (Gladys Knight and the Pips' 1964 hit, "Giving Up"), the record didn't exactly ignite the charts, peaking at No. 73 for the week of July 24, 1971 (the No. 1 album in America that week: Carole King's Tapestry). Hathaway's second LP is so much more than its chart performance.

Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler took over most of the production duties, with Hathaway producing one track, the self-penned "Take a Love Song." One of just three solo studio albums Hathaway recorded before his tragic death in 1979, Donny Hathaway is a truly timeless classic that will never go out of style.

Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing.

(Above description from AcousticSounds.com)