Alice Coltrane – The Elements

My copy of this album sounds great. Maybe it is a newer reissue but it is super clean and no pops, static, or anything off putting.

Check the later reissue reviews and check your runouts if you're looking for the Kevin Grey cut. This KG cut sounds phenomenal. I can't speak to the other one. I would assume the new copies for sale here are the newer reissues. I also noticed that the new reissues have a bar code on the back, so should be easy to differentiate a sealed copy as well.

I am listening to this record right now and must refute any dissenting ideas about the sound quality of this pressing — it is SUPERB!

I have also owned a clean original and sold it for a cool $200 or so. I don’t believe in exhausting, splitting-hairs, A-B tests and shootouts. My gut was the that this QRP Kevin Gray reissue was just as good if not better sounding, and undoubtedly better pressed.

Is the stereo super wide? Well no, but there are some elements that extend over the speakers (percussion, saxophone effects/echo, etc). If the saxophone was panned hard left you’d have just as many or more people complaining about that. lol. But that’s not how it was recorded, a mastering engineer can’t just pan instruments wherever they want anyway if my understanding of the process is correct.

No separation? No space? Not on my system! Every instrument holds its own space.

This reissue is a no-brainer if you love this music. Hopefully they can keep it in print for a long time.

I’m playing this with a AT33PTG cartridge, SME 3009 tonearm on a Thorens 124. I do think it’s a recording that perhaps needs some “unpacking”, but if the instruments sound on top of each other or lacking space— it may be your system.

Packaging is about the same as the original pressing. I disagree that every jazz reissue needs to be in a glossy sleeve or a gatefold. In fact I prefer them not to be especially in this case, it’s still a tip-on sleeve anyway!

Flat, extremely quiet vinyl. I bought this because I love Joe Henderson. This is the first time I ever heard the album and I think this music is great! Very enjoyable. Light to moderate intoxication assists enjoyment. A violin is murdered on this record, but as with "The Empty Foxhole" by Ornette Coleman, it somehow works musically.

Now, it must be said that this record actually doesn't sound good. The sound is two-dimensional. Henderson's sax was heavily processed with many effect added, overdubbing, etc. and maybe that contributes to an artificial feel in the music. There is a wide soundstage in the sense that you occasionally hear instruments playing at the far left or far right, but 95% of what you hear comes from a very small space between the speakers. There is little or no separation of instruments. The sax is on top of the bass is on top of the harp, etc. It doesn't sound like a band playing, probably because it's not a band playing. This is more a sonic collage than a jazz album.

As I say, I enjoy the music. The packaging is bare bones, not very attractive. You can still buy this QRP pressing on amazon for $30, a good deal, I think, but there is plenty of room for someone to bring out a much better-sounding version of this in the future.

I’ll still rate this 5 stars, but this album either revealed a glaring weakness with my setup, or has a harsh treble signature that I don’t recall from the hi-res digital copies I’ve been listening to.

I was also listening at an irresponsible level which probably didn’t help. Great album and great press. KPG hasn’t done me wrong yet.

The Jazz Dispensary US LP release is incredibly well done. Superb mastering and pressing; crystal clear, immense sense of space, pitch black background. In the same league as Mobile Fidelity releases or best MPS pressings.

Easily the best jazz album I've ever heard. Deep and dark. Joe Henderson at his most intriguing. A must have for any spiritual fusion fan

I have a CD reissue and this literally sounds like a different recording. Top top quality. So crystal clear, sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Grab it before the price gets silly...

Still available for cheap at Acoustic Sounds. Amazing pressing of some fantastic jazz!

Loving this one, it’s so different. This is a jazz concept album that rocks. Tabla, harp solos, Charlie Haden. and Joe Henderson is on fire. Plus a QRP pressing, Kevin Gray cut. All the elements of a killer jazz album.