John Scofield & Pat Metheny I Can See Your House From Here (Blue Note Tone Poet) 180g 2LP

Analog Planet Rated 9/11 Music, 10/11 Sonics!

Scofield and Metheny. What more needs to be said? A masterpiece meeting of musical minds, these two guitar virtuosos entered the studio in December 1993 with Steve Swallow on bass guitar and Bill Stewart on drums to create one of the greatest jazz guitar albums of all time. Produced by Lee Townsend, I Can See Your House From Here is an 11-track set of Scofield and Metheny originals including Sco's expansive title track and Pat's rocking "The Red One" and the stunning ballad "Message To My Friend."

The Blue Note Tone Poet Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was's admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley (from Music Matters), a.k.a. the "Tone Poet," on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180 gm audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology Inc. Every aspect of these Blue Note/Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.

Blue Note Records' Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series is produced by Joe Harley and features all-analog, mastered-from-the-original-master-tape 180g audiophile vinyl reissues in deluxe gatefold packaging. Mastering is by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) and vinyl is manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI).

The 11 tracks, all originals, run the gamut from absolute barn-burners, acoustic ballads, a tune that could be best described as light salsa, to a blues track, some synth and distortion-laden laid-back funk, two bouncy, sailor-esque jaunts, and a few tracks that could creatively be described as 'post-modern bop-ish'. The album is an absolute kaleidoscope of color, character, and consistency, delivering excellent track to track sequencing and effective flow. The session incorporates some wonderful palette-cleansers that help the listening experience simmer down between some of the more fiery tracks. This results in an effective balance between electric distortion and 'synthiness' and good ole' classical nylon and steel string technique... The mastering and pressing are beyond reproach, and in my experience are easily among the best within the whole series - especially factoring in how much improved this version is compared to the original CD. Despite its higher price tag, its more modern approach to jazz, as well as the stigma that surrounds vinyl sourced from digital (in this case, 24/88.2), it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that when this series runs its course (not anytime soon!) this could be at the top of the series' many sonic gems. Add a gorgeous Stoughton gatefold jacket, and a flawless RTI pressing and you have a wonderful reissue that's a fresh, modern, sonic-thrill ride outside the familiar 50's and 60's jazz vault. well worth exploring.