Patricia Barber's outstanding 1994 release Café Blue has won more than 15 awards from major international music institutions. Deemed an 'underground classic' by jazz Bible Downbeat magazine, the album contains sparkling, indelible improvisations derived as much from Barber's interest in classical music as from jazz, revealing her innovative, thoroughly distinctive style.

TAS Super LP List - The Absolut Sound

• Limited Edition
• Double LP 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl
• Production supervised by Jim Anderson and Michael Friedman
• Mastered from the Original Master Tapes
• Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering
• Vinyl Cut by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings, QRP USA
• Deluxe Gatefold Cover

Patricia Barber's outstanding 1994 release Cafe Blue has won more than 15 awards from major international music institutions. Deemed an “underground classic” by jazz Bible Downbeat magazine, the album contains sparkling, indelible improvisations derived as much from Barber's interest in classical music as from jazz. This is where the internationally renowned singer-pianist comes into her own, interpreting songs from outside the traditional jazz repertoire and debuting a handful of original compositions that reveal her innovative, thoroughly distinctive style.

Audiophiles, of course, needn’t any introduction to Cafe Blue. Beloved for its transparent, you-are-there sound since its initial release. This release by Premonition Records on 180 Gram vinyl features a dynamic clarity, vocal truth, and instrumental body that very few records possess, a 2LP set that should belong on the shelf of every music lover.

Fully remixed and remastered, cut from the original tapes by legendary engineer Doug Sax, and meticulously pressed at QRP, Cafe Blue now boasts a seemingly limitless frequency range, transient responsiveness, and tonal realism.

From the dead-quiet surfaces to Barber’s steamy, smoky vocals and crisp finger snaps, from Michael Arnapol’s acoustic upright bass to guitarist John McLean’s tasteful fills, everything is in the right place. Want to turn your listening room into an intimate club populated by one of the most scintillating, creative jazz artists playing today? This is your ticket.

Not that the reference-quality sonics overshadow the phenomenal performances. On "Nardis," Barber and her trio transform the song until it becomes a piece that’s both sensitive and wildly exotic. Barber’s own "What A Shame" and the self-effacing "Too Rich For My Blood" delve into deep emotional waters, the arrangements sophisticated, cool, elegant, and provocative. A masterwork on every level, Cafe Blue has never been better.

"A dramatic improvement of what has long been regarded a sonic masterpiece. It is a compelling reason to revisit this work with fresh ears." - Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times, Stereophile

"Cafe Blue has seduced everyone for whom I have ever played it - jazz people, rock people, Medicare people, even computer people. Some call from record stores, sounding slightly desperate: 'That album you played for me the other night! What was her name again?' If you have a voice that's a dark pure whisper straight up from the soul, and if you've lived it yourself, you can sing to people of their innermost anxieties and they will not only love it, they will need it." - Thomas Conrad, Stereophile.

"The new mixes maintain the brilliant dynamic range and sonics of the original mixes but Anderson brings the same improvement two decades of maturing brings to a fine wine. Delicious!" - Bob Ludwig, Gateway Mastering

"The artistry of Patricia Barber is tied to the superlative technology of this vinyl pressing. Re-mixed at Capitol Records with a Neve 8068 console, EMT plates and a live reverberation chamber, the texture of the sound quality is rich. Barber’s alto is captured vibrantly in its broad depth and soaring upper register. The echoes and fades of the guitar are robust, and the precision of the drums (cymbals, sticks) and percussion (bongo, handclap) is exceptional. There is fluidity in all of the bass tones. Sparse arrangements sound full and multi-dimensional. The HQ-180 pressing is pristine without any pops or hisses. Gatefold jackets and high-gloss packaging add to the luster. The liner notes describe the re-mastering process from engineer, Jim Anderson (who worked on the original recording) and others." - Audiophile Audition

Musicians:

Patricia Barber, piano, vocals
John McLean, guitars
Michael Arnopol, bass
Mark Walker, drums, percussion, body parts

Track Listing:

LP 1 Side A
1. What A Shame
2. Mourning Grace
3. A Taste Of Honey

LP 1 Side B
1. Ode To Billy Joe
2. Too Rich For My Blood
3. Manha De Carnaval

LP 2 Side C
1. Inch Worm
2. Wood Is A Pleasant Thing To Think About
3. Nardis

LP 2 Side D
1. The Thrill Is Gone
2. Romanesque
3. Yellow Car III

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