Madlib – Piñata

Owned this for about a year now and done a hefty amount of A/B testing with every released version (as of 9-2020). My opinion is this is the definitive version (and not just on wax) by a wide margin.

Lync'd up with a friend a back in the fall of 2019 to spin various records and in our time we did a few side-by-side comparisons of various vinyl pressing we have. at the top of the list was Piñata. The recent pressing craze around the Bandana release got me curious as to if there was any difference at all with this VMP exclusive besides the usual color variant (ie Im not dropping $40+ on any wax just for color). in my dive into Bandana pressing I hated on the overall quality of the VMP Bandana package (to be fair, the release in any of the initial forms were all low quality). So, initially I had to assume the VMP Piñata would be no different than just a standard color variant reissue. Curiosity got the best of me and several folks pushed me to do actually do a legit A/B comparison.

in one session we compared 3 versions of Piñata: 2015 NB pressing was not in the mix here during this session (notably my previous copies were altogether defective).

Highlights:
-Both VMP and NB 2019 pressing are superior in audio to the OG MMS
-OG MMS and NB2019 are the exact same package, minus color variant of the wax. of course they are from the same stampers but the actual pressing is a little cleaner for the NB.
-VMP discs are heavier. its no 180g like everyone was hoping but these are at least 150g
-VMP sleeve is high quality, well above the other releases: heavy wide-spine direct to board jacket. thicker and wider than most... similar to the VMP Doggystyle jacket where you can get each disc out easily, but they dont just fall out. greater color contrast and brightness, the white pops more and the black stripes are darker (the difference is more noticeable in reality). overall one of the nicest wide-spine jackets ive had my hands on.
-Foil stamped and numbered. not essential, but nice touch for sure

VMP audio is superior to the NB2019 Pressing
This is exactly what I was hoping/expecting with the VMP Bandana release (and what I really want to see in all VMP exclusives). For a release that desperately deserved a high quality package. And the sound is a step up from any version Ive heard (Hi-Res digital included). the dead wax on this thing is about as silent as you could ask. For instance during the outro on the final track when Freddie is crooning to the Gap Band, there a ton of dead space in between the studio convos. When the outro ends, I couldnt even tell at first that we were in the dead wax. it felt seamless and was a little shocking how quiet it was. most records when they end its pretty easy to tell, but the way this closes and the transition to dead wax was cool/unique. tracks like Robes have crisp high ends, the bass is nice and warm all the way through. the volume is at a lower level for the VMP vs. NB, which allows for a little better dynamic range but also hurts the NB version which has heavy surface noise. VMP audio vs. NB audio may not have been night and day (they do sound like they are from the same source), but the difference is VERY noticeable side-by-side. When you add in all the qualities and details of the jacket, the overall package is a major step up.

I was so pleased with these initial tests that I grabbed a copy myself immediately after that session. Since then Ive sold off my other copies, while still making it a point to compare the VMP to each new release. I thought maybe the clear wax for the NB edition was the issue, but comparisons with the Pinata 64 and Pinata 74 reissues, but while i love the cover and concept there is a noticeable degradation in quality when they compressed the cut down to 1 disc. It was disappointing because the album goes by at a nice pace with no skits (I could see myself actually spinning it more too) but after a few listens I couldnt really enjoy it with the quality drop off. So, it remains for now that the VMP edition cannot be touched. Wish there were more details published about the release that could explain why its so much better. Standard GZ pressings dont normally sound this good and I wanted some hard facts to back up what I hear. But thats all I have and I trust my ears. This is one that lives up to the hype.

If you love this album it's going to be worth tracking down this VMP copy if you're really wanting a definitive version.

If anyone wants to trade me one of these for the VMP Bandana let me know!

The sound on this is amazing. Bass is bassy and the drums are clear. The vinyl color looks pretty cool too.
iirc This sold out like 10 minutes after it was posted on VMP's store.