Eric Dolphy – Evenings At The Village Gate

Mastered by Kevin Reeves - says it all. Probably best to avoid.

Apparently the Mexican orange pressing has been added to the database... my review below still stands tho... hard to imagine the EU pressing would be much better than what I have... but still the doubts remain LOL.. I think more than a few of us thought we were getting an EU pressing when we ordered this.

I don't know when this was added to the database, but apparently this is the one I have, along with some other people who thought they were getting EU vinyl when they bought it... check the reviews under the orange vinyl EU release... zero complaints about the quality of the vinyl, etc... however, I didn't know this was going to be a Mexican pressing..."get me Spielberg's non-union Mexican equivalent!" if you know your Simpsons gags...

As of mid-March 2024, US retailers are still shipping the troublesome first press (stamped Made in Mexico on rear shrink). Edge warp on both discs is so pronounced that the needle drops into the opening tracks prematurely. Bummer.

Recording is messy as hell. If you enjoy albums like "Live at Birdland" or "The Village Vanguard" recordings and expect and great live album here, forget all about it. It sounds like a bootleg. I would have expected a much better release from Impluse and just bought it without having a listen. I am a big Coltrane fan, but still expect a good recording. Avoid this, this is simply not worth it. It might be historical and still the sound and recording should be quality.This is just a rip off.

For a single ribbon microphone suspended over their heads, this recording is fantastic. It rocks it swings it pushes you in a way very few of the live recordings do. An absolute must for Coltrane and Dolphy lovers, what a historical document!

BTW, even though the pressing destined for US market would have been easier accessible for me I decided to source the one made by Optimal in for the international markets. My vinyl is dead flat, no warps etc. Came dirty and needed a good clean, paper sleeves replaced by QRP poly/rice liners.
Please note for those who care (I don't much) about '180g audiophile pressings' - this one is far from that, my LPs weigh 141 and 143 grams, respectively. This is clearly a mass produced pressing, likely in high thousands of pieces.

The jacket is gate fold but leaves a lot to be desired - made from the same cheap matte thin card board material, akin to Blue Note Classic packaging Optimal also uses.

Again - If you could avoid "US pressing" of this album, do so. Those are made by a UMe contractor pressing plant in Mexico (likely Vinyl Solutions which is known as hit-and-miss), most have reportedly shipped with warped first LP, likely from the tight gate fold packaging.

All in all, you don't buy this album for its quality production, but to own something special in music and historical .

UMe should stop pressing vinyl in Mexico. This really irks me.

Low quality édition.
Sound level is very low. Have to turn 3/4 volume knob. Usually 1/3...
Poor jacket design.
Music is fire...
(My copy is from netherlands, made in Europe /BIEM). Paid 38€

Masterful, even magical. Sure the recording itself is slightly murky, but, man, this is super fun to hear. I kept replaying the CD over and over. Jaw-dropping solos, but the music still swings thanks to the drums and bass. Highly recommended.

Got my copy on Black friday deal from Universal own online store for E14,- and no shipping charges.
Yep its warped but my Denon 103 can track it.
Sound yes we know its a low-fi recording.
The music is a must have for Coltrane Dolphy lovers!!