Cymande – Promised Heights

This is a top notch repress. Great sonics and nice presentation. Recommended.

Condition: Brand New/MINT(M)

Vinyl front-end used for this review:
Rega P3:RB880 tonearm,Denon DL160
Phono Stage:Whest Audio TWO.2 phono stage.

This LP has a high frequency peak at 88hz that gives the record a strong mid-bass sound quality which some may mistake for a heavy/deep bass etc.it just sounds "thick" in this region.so this is not a neutral re/master or recording. But there IS air,ambiance,atmosphere,stereo separation,good sound staging and detail. Highs are not sibilant and don`t sizzle the mids are well catered for too,so vocals and guitars come over precise and clear throughout. My copy is "almost" totally flat with just a slight warp on side A but my "rega turntable" my record clamp easily solves this minor issue.Surface noise for the cost is minimal and only really noticeable occasionally.Gatefold album cover with plain white inner sleeve and original album artwork to an decent standard.
Musical content is a Malor high here and I.M.O is up with the two earlier releases I own on reissue("Cymande" & "Second Time Round")and stays with the "U.S. 70`s funk/soul sound.As for highlights on the LP most that mention this point are saying "Brothers On The Slide" track 3 side A is their choice great track but NOT my fav,for me there are TOO MANY to really choose one but I must pick out "The Recluse" trk4 side B for now. This well written track has all the musical accompaniment this WONDERFUL Group had at hand to play along,driving bassline,airy guitar....and sumptuous horns!
Conclusion:
To think it took me a few years to finally pull the trigger and purchase as I DIDN`T believe it could be as good as their two previous albums,how wrong was I...?!?!
This is a Five Star remaster and a "Highly Recommended" LP for lovers of Cymande,funk,soul,70`s soul etc.

Music 5*
Sound quality 5*
Mastering 5*
Pressing 4.5*

This is a nice pressing. Might not be of the same calibre as Mr. Bongo in of that bright mastering but this one's real warm and cosy which is perfect for an album like this.

First spin suggests this is no mere novelty release. Clean and well-mixed. An excellent pressing sounding even better than I could have hoped. Love it, love Cymande. Basically the kind of releases for which turntables are still the best media player.

Just picked this up and gave it a spin on the headphones. I was happy to see the poly lined inner sleeve. The vinyl itself is very thin, which I frankly don’t mind, as I think the whole “180 gram audiophile” thing is meaningless and wasteful. There’s a warp that’s slightly more than mild, but doesn’t affect play, and the disc was silent. Music sounded great. A few of the tracks had some sibilance but it’s hard to say for certain whether it’s an issue on my end or theirs. For just under $30 shipped I’ve been on the fence for a while, but now that that’s becoming closer to the standard price I figured I’d better nab this while it’s still around. Power to ya if you can get it in the 20-25 shipped range. Looking forward to seeing how it cranks on the main rig, love this band.

Mr Bongo does not disappoint. I would have spent more for a more luxe, sleeve but the album is mastered and pressed very well and that is where the magic is. Purchased direct for Mr. Bongo.

Great pressing, clean soundstage. Just a lovely release, everything you could want.

Sound quality is fine but my copy has sharp vinyl edges.

This version doesn't have original version of Brothers on the Slide - odd

Still available on Mr.Bongo's website for $20 as of this writing.