Customer Reviews

Impulse Albums 3 (Slip)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It is astonishing to me how these labels continue to push subpar product and sell it like is something else. It is disgusting how to save a few bucks, these companies lie their way in to more of the consumer's money.

First of all, the main idea behind these boxes were to create a wonderful new sound to this incredible music, and put out these albums in a way that was affordable. Verve definitely failed on this. I sold my previous editions of Ascension and Meditations thinking I was going to get the best versions available. Very wrong! Meditations actually sounds like it was mastered off a vinyl copy!! So does Ascension. I agree with the other reviewer, please stay with your previous editions of these albums. The Newport stuff sounds great on the "My Favorite Things: Coltrane At Newport" compilation.

Extremely disappointed at this box set.I have no idea why there has been such a hard time to take 'Trane's music to the most optimal sonic condition. DO NOT BUY (Until this is fixed or otherwise).

Save your 20 bit masters from 1996 as this batch is blanched by comparison. The body is missing from the bass and piano, the drums and cymbals are cardboard and aluminum, and the sax is plastic. Compare the richness of the voice and instruments on the 1996 issue of Kulu Se Mama to this for instant confirmation. Even more telling is that the complete Newport issue of just last year is more immediate and alive than the one here - and they're both mastered by the same person.
If not for better sound, what is the point of this series? No extra cuts, only one Coltrane cut on the Newport cd in this collection, and no extra special packaging.

Sound is much improved. My digital friends kill me. Really. The sound here is much fuller. Less distant. There is more emotion here clearly. I prefer the sound of vinyl so I'm happy that these are closer to that. To my digital friends: You're comparing mahogany to fine steel. Yes steel is sturdier, more technologically advanced, and can support more elaborate and grandiose structures. I like steel. It serves a fine purpose but it still can't do what mahogany does for one second. Namaste.

I am amazed by the bad reviews this box set has currently on Amazon. To my rears, the sound is vastly improved as compared to the LP I own.

I believe that every fan of the late Coltrane period, with the habit of live Jazz, and a good HiFi would agree with me.

I don't understand why people are so dissatisfied with this collection. I consider the quality of the music and the great sound to be solid 5 stars. I am docking this collection a star because three of the albums don't contain the bonus tracks that were included on past versions of the individual CDs. Fortunately, both versions of Ascension are included. The sound quality on each of the albums is excellent (Kulu Se Mama sounds especially good). The price seems to be a little high, but you will be pleased with the results.

I agree with the reviewers comment: "digital friends kill me." The mid range is back with these remasters. These remasters sound warmer and closer to Vinyl. if you grew up listening to the cold and sterile sound of cds you probably won't like these CDs. The previous cd remasters already achieved the lets make everything sound loud enough to make your ears bleed even at low volumes. These remasters are warm, clear and easy on the ears. They also sound awesome on a decent home stereo. Maybe not so great on cheap computer speakers. The older remasters could be better for listening on the computer or on a low bit rate MP3 format. However, if you have a good home stereo system then do yourself a favor and get these remasters.

Two glaring omissions in this set are "Live At The Village Vanguard Again!" (1966) with Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and Rashied Ali (which also happens to be a favorite of mine) and "Expression" (1967). Wow, how could they leave that one out!

And that's only up through 1967, the year of Coltrane's death. I suppose the other LPs released posthumously will be included in a Vol.4 box set at a later date. Let's hope they get somebody who knows what they're doing to remaster it.

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To Wade Cottingham, below:

New Thing At Newport - I'm not aware of a 2007 edition of this. Verve released a 2000 edition in digipack form that sounds excellent.

The John Coltrane Quartet Plays - Agree! I have this.

Ascension - Haven't heard this 2000 version. I have the 1992 one included in "The Major Works Of John Coltrane" which sounds ok for an early 90s CD. I have to admit I don't like this album enough to get an upgrade.

Meditations - One of the few I don't have. Thanks for the 1996 version recommendation

Kulu Su Mama - I also have this. Again, I agree!

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I must say that I own the previous individual releases, therefore it's good to know that these sound bad. Anyway, my main complaint regards the EXCLUSION of the very last Coltrane album released by Impulse, 'Expression'. Unbelievable what these wankers can do - or not do! This one I've been expecting for years in a decent remastered version - I've got the older one and it sounds like crap - and then they sort of 'forget' once again 'Expression', as if it were not part of the Coltrane canon. Why is that so?

I have all these sessions on vinyl, and I did pick this up to add to my ipod. I dont think they sound like the vinyl, Acension is much fuller sounding on vinyl. But truth is, It's not that bad. and i don't think these discs sound so far away from other editions. The box it self , without any booklet and no extras is weak, get it used,