New Wax Wednesday

We all have our own pet requests for classic albums we’d love to see reissued in the purest, and most honest, analog capacity as possible — and sometimes, those requests are heeded. To that end, the noted German manufacturer Burmester have just announced their new Pure Sound Master Recordings Series that kicks off with one of the best LPs to do so with — namely, Oscar Peterson Trio’s 1964 jazz piano masterpiece, We Get Requests.

The goal with this exclusive new series, according to Burmester, is to “reproduce music as authentically as it was originally intended — intimate, powerful, and expressive,” and We Get Requests is their maiden lacquer voyage. This perennial jazz classic, recorded in late 1964 in New York City and initially released on Verve, is now available in a limited edition of just 333 individually numbered lacquer records, which have been cut directly from the original analog reel-to-reel tape.

In Burmester’s words, “The number 333 references the legendary 33⅓rpm vinyl format — a symbol of analog music culture. To honor this legacy, each record is created in real time from a 1:1 copy of the original master tape — delivering a listening experience of pure authenticity and artistic integrity.”

The material for the 12in, cut-in-real-time, direct-to-disc We Get Requests is “premium acetate lacquer produced by MDC Limited in Japan, featuring a metal core enveloped in a glossy black lacquer layer,” according to Burmester, and the end result is housed in lavish, handcrafted, and exclusively designed packaging that also includes a limited artist print (shown below).

The photos of Burmester’s Pure Sound Master Recordings Series edition of We Get Requests and its intimate manufacturing process that we’re showing all throughout this piece — including shots of the original master tape, to boot! — illustrate the process and the results to a T.

Me, I happen to love both the 2LP 45rpm and 1LP 33⅓rpm versions of We Get Requests that have been put out by Verve/Analogue Productions in recent years — which rate an easy 11 for the Music, with a 10.5 for the 45rpm edition’s Sound and 10 for the 33⅓rpm’s Sound — so, if given the opportunity, I’d love to see/hear how this limited-edition Burmester version stacks up.

In the meantime, Burmester have provided their own descriptors about the historic We Get Requests album, and it’s hard to disagree with their assessments — so I’m sharing them here in this ensuing paragraphs that are all duly framed with beginning and end quotes accordingly, albeit with limited added/bracketed commentary (and, of course, many more photos).

“Recorded in New York City on October 19, October 20, and November 19, 1964, [We Get Requests] is a truly groundbreaking recording of the genre. It showcases Oscar Peterson’s distinctive piano skills and innate musicality, Ray Brown’s double-bass presence, and Ed Thigpen’s subtle yet dynamic drumming.

“The trio achieves a flawless blend of rhythm, subtlety, and technical brilliance, seamlessly weaving the era’s bossa nova influences with the trio’s signature jazz swing, demonstrating their exceptional ability to infuse familiar styles with fresh energy and creative sophistication. Each track on We Get Requests highlights the musicians’ remarkable synergy. Peterson’s inventive phrasing, Brown’s creative bass lines, and Thigpen’s nuanced rhythms create a vibrant and profound sound that is uniquely their own.

“From the gentle intimacy of "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)" [Side A, Track 1] to the vibrant playfulness of "Have You Met Miss Jones?" [Side A, Track 5], each performance evokes a special mood while maintaining astonishing musical cohesion. Peterson’s rendition of "The Girl From Ipanema" [Side B, Track 2] transforms this classic into a dynamic, relaxed exploration, while his original composition "D. & E." [Side B, Track 3] demonstrates the trio’s improvisational mastery, skillfully balancing spontaneity with seamless connection.

“The album also shines in its ballads, such as "My One and Only Love" [Side A, Track 3] and "Time and Again" [Side B, Track 4], where sensitivity to tone and emotion takes center stage. Every note resonates deeply expressive, from Peterson’s sensitive piano lines to the rich, supportive foundation laid by Brown and Thigpen. The final track, "Goodbye J.D." [Side B, Track 5], is a joyful, lighthearted tribute that embodies both a joyful spirit and technical brilliance.”

Now, the SRP for the Burmester Pure Sound Master Recordings Series version of We Get Requests is likely to give many of you much pause, but keep in mind that it is the price of admission for such an exclusive, high-grade, limited-edition, 333-copies-only release. With that all said, the Burmester We Get Requests comes in at $898 / €777 (including VAT).

To order your copy of the Burmester Pure Sound Master Recordings Series edition of We Get Requests, go here.
To find an authorized Burmester retailer, go here.

OSCAR PETERSON TRIO
WE GET REQUESTS
lacquer LP (Burmester)

Side A
1. Quiet Night Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)
2. The Days Of Wine And Roses
3. My One And Only Love
4. People
5. Have You Met Miss Jones?

Side B
1. You Look Good To Me
2. The Girl From Ipanema
3. D. & E.
4. Time And Again
5. Goodbye J.D.