IS "BIRTH OF THE BLUE" WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED DOSH?

DOSH=CASH Birth of the Blue finally assembles, in a single release, music recorded in 1958, one year prior to the landmark Kind of Blue, featuring the storied lineup of Miles Davis, trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, alto saxophone; Bill Evans, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; and Jimmy Cobb, drums. The four-tracks, “On Green Dolphin Street,” “Fran Dance,” “Stella By Starlight,” and “Love for Sale,” have, over the years, have appeared in their original form on different compilations, including 1959’s Jazz Track, 1973’s Basic Miles, and 1974’s Miles 58. Chad Kassem and his team at Analogue Productions took great care to match the music’s importance with the highest production esthetic possible. The original 3-track recording session tapes were mixed down to a new 30 ips quarter-inch stereo master tape by senior mastering engineer Vic Anesini at Battery Studios in New York City. (It’s been reported that Sony would never allow the tape to leave their premises in NYC; this loaner ends that rumor). From that stereo master tape, Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab cut the lacquers at 33 1/3 RPM using Doug Sax's custom all-tube system and cutting lathe. The lacquers were plated and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, Salinas, Kansas. A Stoughton Printing tip-on gatefold jacket and artwork seeks to replicate the Columbia Records look from 1959—and succeeds admirably.