K* – Stonebone

Bought this record new. Unfortunately I got one of the crappy pressings which is warped all around the edge. Side 1 is quiet but side 2 has quite a few ticks, mostly light but annoying nonetheless. I cleaned the record (spin clean) but the ticks are still there. So I examined the record closely in good light and discovered several very small scrapes and scratches in the vinyl on side 2 that would for the ticks. This is unacceptable on a new record. And something else I've never seen on any other record, a very noticeable raised ripple or wrinkle in the vinyl on side 1 that runs through the second track into the runout that I can actually feel with my finger. Fortunately it doesn't sound or skip. Quality control is seriously lacking here, which is a shame since this is one of JJ Johnson's most unusual and rare recordings that’s not available elsewhere unless you want to shell out big bucks for an original 1970 pressing.

I purchased this new at Park Ave CDs in Winter Park, FL for RSD 2020. This was one of my most wanted purchases, given its rarity, but I waited four years to finally open it, clean it, and play it. The matrix numbers are identical to this entry in Discogs (i.e. the U.S. and not the European version), so evidently my copy was pressed at one of the GZ plants in the U.S.(?) What does the "KB" in the matrix indicate? I couldn't locate any information about these initials when I googled them. My pressing is the "plum" or "blackberry" or "muddy red" whatever color you want to call it, and I am betting that this is the only color this reissue has appeared in. No black version is available, and I hate to disappoint you black vinyl purists out there, but the color the vinyl is pressed on DOESN'T MATTER. My copy is very flat, has a big soundstage with well-defined instruments, and no swishing, pops, crackles, or other flaws. In fact, this pressing and the music on it are both first-rate: I would consider this one of my best purchases from any RSD. As an aside, I would just like to mention that I have received bad pressings of records before, so I know that can certainly happen, but I see far too many records maligned for "bad pressing quality" when I suspect the owners of said records are not wet cleaning them first and are using a dirty, old, or otherwise substandard stylus for playback. I almost sold off my entire record collection in the early 2000s because I was having so many playback issues, but after doing quite a bit of research I figured out how to properly clean, store, and PLAY vinyl, and that has improved my listening experience immeasurably. The only issues I have with this release of Stonebone are that it was shipped in a scratchy white sleeve, and the color of the vinyl is less than impressive. Those are minor gripes for such a monumental recording.

Music and sound is 5 star. Pressing is absolutely garbage, another hit job by GZ media, a disgrace to the industry, watch out for their new plant in the US called Memphis record pressing, another terrible plant. I’ve tried 3 albums and they are all the same. This music is so good to have it ruined by such a shit press is terrible. Wish QRP would do a reissue in this smoking title.

Purchased new on two occasions. The mastering and sound quality is great...not sure what the mastering chain is here but very good sonics. However pressing done by GZ plant in the US is substandard...pressing defect at the end of track 1, Side 1 results in loud pops going into the silent band between tracks. Both copies I've purchased had the exact same fault in the same spot! I'd wager a damaged lacquer or a batch with debris embedded. I'm tempted to try the Euro version if the pressing is better.

I wonder if this pressing is any better than the US version. Side two of the US pressing has a swishing noise, and I'm not the only one among friends who have that same issue. In the light, there are slight "waves" in the vinyl as well.

A shame they'd go to all this effort and blow it on poor pressing quality.

Incidentally, the version I heard on streaming is a needle drop. (I heard a few pops, and opened it in a sound editor--it's clearly pops and clicks from vinyl.) It's shameful a major label can't even release it properly.

Too bad no CD of this album .... yet, please produce

I got a very bad pressing - LOTS of noise in right channel on all of side 1.
I'll suggest that you look for another version - from another pressing plant...
Such a shame since the music is great - but in practical unlistenable in my case.

Mine has been killer! Not a pop or crackle to be heard. Playing on a technics 1200GR w an ortohhon blue cart and just loving every minute of this bad boy!

no problem’s at all with my copy. dead quite, a smidge compressed but this has been nothing short of a great listening experience! Lovely music

I know three of us who own the 2020 US pressing in different parts of the country, and all three of us have a "swishing" noise on side two. This should have been pressed on black vinyl, and at a pressing plant that wasn't the lowest cost in a bidding war. Typical Universal. 🙄 To make matters worse, the recent digital () release from Universal is a needle drop. It's a shame J&K didn't follow Creed Taylor over to his CTI label when it went independent, as the masters would have been in Sony's hands and we'd probably have a good vinyl reissue *and* a clean digital .