About

Craft Recordings is proud to unveil the next installment in its acclaimed Small Batch series—a meticulously crafted reissue of Bill Evans Trio’s final studio LP, Explorations. This album marks the series’ seventh installment, which has previously spotlighted jazz luminaries such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Strictly limited to 2,500 pressings worldwide.

As with all titles in the series, Explorations features lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Bernie Grundman and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI using Neotech’s VR900-D2 “super vinyl” compound. Using a one-step lacquer process (as opposed to the standard three-step process), thisexacting technique allows for the utmost level of musical detail, clarity and dynamics while reducing the amount of surface noise on the record to ensure that each pressing is a true representation of the original lacquer and is as close as the listener can get to the original recording. Completing the Explorations package are newliner notes by Syd Schwartz,a longtime writer, music marketing executive and author of the popular Jazz and Coffee Substack. Each pressing is presented in a foil-stamped, linen-wrapped individually numbered slipcase. The vinyl disc—extractable through a unique, frictionless ribbon pull tab—is housed in a reproduction of the album’s original tip-on jacket from Riverside Records and protected by an archival-quality inner sleeve. 

Explorations captures the pioneering spirit of jazz interplay as Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian breathe new life into jazz standards and modern compositions. Recorded in 1961, the album showcases the trio’s conversational approach, dissolving traditional roles to create an "elegant, democratic exchange of ideas." Highlights include the modal journey of "Israel," the haunting "Nardis," and an intricate take on "Beautiful Love." Praised for its innovation and cohesion, Explorations remains a milestone in jazz trio artistry. — via Label

↓
Label: Riverside Records, Craft Recordings
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180g
Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1961
Genre: Jazz
Style: Modal, Post Bop

File under: Audiophile Jazz
⦿