Andre Previn, Shelly Manne & Red Mitchell West Side Story (Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series) 180g LP

Tracking Angle Rated 7/10 Music, 10/10 Sound!

Acoustic Sounds celebrates Contemporary Records with this new reissue of the West Side Story album by pianist André Previn, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne. Originally released in 1960, the album contains eight cuts from the musical soundtrack reinterpreted in a jazz style. Recorded by legendary engineer Roy DuNann, this edition is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP with (AAA) lacquers cut from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman and is presented in a tip-on jacket.

As usual, the melodies are treated respectfully yet swingingly, and Andre Previn in particular excels in this setting. Recommended.

The sound quality is superb. Contemporary was the label that personified L.A. jazz in the 1950s and early '60s (much of it, more adventurous), and the house engineer was Roy DuNann, whose albums sound as dynamic and lifelike as any by the East Coast's more celebrated engineers of the day (or any day). The piano here is rich, mellow, and percussive; the bass vibrates with wood and pluck; and the trapset a wonderland, captured in all its color and shimmer and thwack. The stereo soundstage is a bit hard left-right, but otherwise it's a suitable demo disc.