Best version of Sonny Rollins' 1957 jazz classic "Way Out West"

They're not, they do have a certain amount of echo. I've had them all.

Of the redbooks I've heard the MoFi silver CD sounds best to me.

 

Thank you all for your replies ... I shall seek a Mofi disc (I dislike added reverb as well ...).

(Steve: I love vinyl, but not so much for jazz, mostly just Rock/Pop ... looking forward to yr. "Icky Thump" LP!)

 

Here is the MFSL disc on ebay: 120114612462

Not my auction.

 

Anyone knows if this album has ever been released in Mono on CD?

 

I have the MFSL silver disc and it is great. I haven't felt the need to replace it.

 

I would like to hear the 45 rpm LP mastered by our host and Kevin. But I haven't had the chance.

 

Last night I played my original Contemporary mono album, and was blown away by how good it sounds. The drums in particular are very in-your-face, and the recording has wonderful "air."

After reading Steve's comments, I'd love to hear his stereo remaster.

 

Thanks Steve.

I love this album, but sometimes that wide stereo separation just feels odd. Sure wish your mono master was available.

 

And there is the SACD.

Contemporary Records Vol.1 (SACD BOX) SSCR-001〜005

 

That SACD box looks very nice. Unfortunately, I think it’s a hefty price especially for US residents. Which tape was used for Way Out West? Has anyone heard it?

I’ve had good luck with the CD and SACDs from Japan the last few years but the added shipping costs have limited my purchases.

 

The original stereo master was used. Sounds great. It is definitely the best digital version.

 

It only took me 14 years years to respond, LOL, but here you go:

LKL-12-12-127-D2 (stamped, not etched)
LKL-12-12-128-D2 (stamped, not etched)

Elsewhere in the deadwax, there is an H, which I presume means "Hollywood" (mastered by RCA?).

According to Discogs, D2 is the earliest cut. My copy appears to be a c.1959 pressing, with the "High Fidelity" banner at the bottom of the front cover.

 

This is very interesting to me. I'd always assumed that the mono pressing was just a fold from the binaural, since there is nothing in the center of the stereo field.

 

Mentioned upthread, there were two simultaneous gold disc CD remasterings of WAY OUT WEST for Analogue Productions. One by Doug Sax and one by Bernie Grundman.

AP also did the same thing for Art Pepper's MEETS THE RHYTHM SECTION. FWIW, when I did my personal shootout I slightly preferred Grundman's.

 

I have the cd issued in Japan by Victor (VICJ) and am happy with that but I’d have to think that one of the better ones would be the ERC version.

 

Generally if I already have one audiophile edition of a title, and I have owned the MFSL for this one, I do not get another and I don't keep multiple versions of albums. In this case I made the change to this...


Sonny Rollins – Way Out West
Label: Analogue Productions – CAPJG 008
Format: CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, 24 Karat Gold
Country: US
Released: 1992
Genre: Jazz
Style: Hard Bop

While I have absolutely no issues with this version and enjoy it I would have been fine keeping the MFSL.

 

Is that Victor CD the one from the '80s with the alternate cover photo? That one indeed sounds great, and has the original "dry" mix.

 

Here is the original mono I have. Has an H in the deadwax too.

LKL-12-127-D1 H
LKL-12-128-D1 H

 

Steve I agree about your AP 45 rpm, the bandwidth on that one is awesome. I'm also glad to have the Mofi silver CD, no wonky EQ on that one.