AAA Vinyl

One of the great albums of the 1960s—for me an essential album— gets the double 45rpm treatment from Mobile Fidelity. Rhino reissued this a few years ago mastered by Chris Bellman and Bernie Grundman Mastering from the original tape.

You can read that reissue's review here so it's not getting the full treatment again here.

So how does the sound here compare to Rhino's reissue? It's been made to sound warmer and more luxurious. The strings have added warmth and sheen and the acoustic guitar parts have a tactile, burnished feel. The tonal balance is similar to the hybrid SACD that Mo-Fi issued last year, which for me was too warm compared to my gold label Elektra original as well as compared to an early '80s Japanese reissue and also compared to the Rhino reissue.

The half speed mastering does produce luxurious depth and precise transient articulation, especially on Arthur Lee's vocals, but in my opinion and on my system at least, the overall softness and warmth detracts from the musical excitement and drive.

Despite the strings and brass, this is after all, a rock album. While this reissue has some superior qualities, overall I prefer Chris Bellman's more lively take.