Nightclub 1STEP
Patricia Barber
NIGHTCLUB 1STEP
180-GRAM 45RPM 2LP SET | Stereo
CATALOG: IMXLPO6037-1
MSRP: $129.99 USD
1STEP Process 180g 45rpm Double LP Pressed on VR900-Supreme Vinyl! Cut From Original Analog Work Masters by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering! Strictly Limited To 7,500 Numbered Pressings!
Patricia Barber’s 6th studio album is a fascinating collection of classic cover songs shaped in her inimitable downtempo intimacy into startlingly affective journeys through the human condition. Working with her band of the time (bassist Michael Arnopol and drummer Adam Cruz, augmented by star turns from guitarist Charlie Hunter, bassist Marc Johnson, and drummer Adam Nussbaum), Barber creates an atmosphere of austere trepidation that allows her long-time engineer Jim Anderson to hang her haunted vocals directly over top. Like all great jazz albums, Nightclub puts the highlighted artist front and center while carving out plenty of space for the supporting players to give emphatic support.
Impex’s 1STEP process provides the perfect showcase for Anderson’s peerless audio immersions. Nightclub was originally digitally recorded on a Sony 3348 multi-track and mixed through a Neve analog console to both digital and analog mix-down masters. Bernie Grundman used the analog mix-down tapes to assemble a new analog cutting master exclusively for our 1STEP. Coupled with the incredibly detailed VR-900 vinyl formula, there is instrument detailing to spare, a Mariana Trench noise floor, and incredibly-focused low end. There is simply no better way to enjoy Barber’s cool renditions of timeless classics than this one (including the exclusive, never-before-released bonus track “Wild Is the Wind”). Limited to 7,500 pressings, so preorder now before this Club closes for good.
The 1STEP Process:
The Impex 1STEP process relies on short, tightly controlled runs that require a new lacquer after each run of 500 pressings. This unforgiving format has the lacquer skipping the regular father-mother process, going right to a single convert and then pressing. Though this dramatically increases mastering and production costs, it also assures each run is more consistent from disc to disc, with less noise, clearer details, and deeper bass.
Reducing production complexity to just a single “convert” disc between the lacquer and the press greatly improves groove integrity, diminishes non-fill anomalies, and increases signal integrity from the master tape to your system.
Two 180-gram 45-rpm LPs (pressed on VR900-SUPREME VINYL) and a deluxe booklet are packaged in a heavy-duty 3-sleeve jacket. The jacket is then placed in a leather-textured-paper slipcase that protects your investment and brings a cool retro-modern look to your shelves.
Features
- Mastered by Bernie Grundman from Premonition Records’ original analog master tapes
- Two 1STEP 45-rpm LPs pressed on VR-900 super vinyl for incredible detailing, an epic soundstage, and near-silent surfaces
- Exclusive ultra-luxe Impex 1STEP packaging featuring a beautiful 12-page booklet within a three-sleeve Monster Pack jacket and a color-matched slipcase
- Never-Before-Released studio session track “Wild Is the Wind”
- Limited to 7,500 pressings
Musicians
| Patricia Barber | vocals, piano |
|---|---|
| Michael Arnopol | bass (tracks 5, 9, 11) |
| Adam Cruz | drums (tracks 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) |
| Charlie Hunter | 8-string guitar (tracks 4, 6, 11) |
| Marc Johnson | bass (tracks 1, 2, 3, 7, 8) |
| Adam Nussbaum | drums (tracks 1, 2, 3, 7, 8) |
SIDE 1
- Bye Bye Blackbird
- Invitation
- Yesterdays
SIDE 2
- Just for the Thrill
- You Don’t Know Me
- Alfie
SIDE 3
- Autumn Leaves
- Summer Samba
- All or Nothing At All
SIDE 4
- So In Love
- A Man and a Woman
- I Fall In Love Too Easily
- Wild is the Wind (Exclusive Bonus Track)
“While the energy and excitement of hearing music live can never be reproduced at home, the sound of the 1 Step records played on a good system may be better than what you can hear live. This is a demonstration-quality LP you can pull out for your audiophile and music-loving friends alike.” -Dennis Davis, The Audio Beat
Full review HERE
Read Myles B. Astor’s review at Positive Feedback HERE
Read Tom Gibb’s review at Positive Feedback HERE
“The music just springs warmly forth from a background of sheer black. Barber’s piano playing positively shimmers from my speakers. I imagine it is as good as vinyl can possibly sound these days.” –Carlo Lo Raso, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Read Carlo’s article HERE!
CONSUMER REVIEWS
“A must have recording, the best I’ve heard from from Patricia, it felt like when I saw her perform live. I didn’t want the album to end. Excellent quality vinyl, dead quiet, flat, clean, see through, it cannot get better, and cover too. I had it on cd but hardly played it, always playing Café Blue, now this vinyl is another level, became my favorite. For sure, I’ll play the sealed Café Blue 1-Step, next, hoping it will be of the same level of recording. Thank you Impex for this beautiful experience, hats down!” -Mohab K., U.S.A.
“Excellent! Again another excellent 1Step featuring Patricia Barber. Impex is killing it with these. Music aside (you either like the music or you don’t) but if you do then the Impex 1Step is the way to go.” -Michael M., U.S.A.
“Reference Quality! Great sounding LP to demo your turntable to friends and family. Musicianship A+ too. High price but worth it. Impex + One step = Winner.” -James L., U.S.A.
Excellent! The Impex 1 Step series set the standard on how these should be done. The sound quality is superlative, pressings are impeccable and the box is luxurious without exaggeration. Best of all, they don’t take a ridiculous amount of shelf space.