Nina Simone – I Put A Spell On You

Sounds dope on my Technics SL 1200 MK3 Japanese Custom running a Ortofon Concorde Club MK2 going through a Rane TTM 56 and Focal Studio Monitors.

This thing is awesome.

Didn't have the distortion issues by some others on side 2. Not sure what that's about, but I won't deny those experiences.

Anyway, my only issue is that the inside of the gatefold spine tore itself apart the first time I opened it. I got a replacement and it did the same thing, though less severely. Ended up keeping copy 2 as it seems to have something to do with the construction rather than a one time fluke.

The rest of the gatefold is splendid, fwiw. The record is spectacular. Sounds amazing. Extremely quiet vinyl and the mastering work here is top notch.

I specifically listened to the last 3 tracks of side B since there seems to be a lot of hubbub of those specific tracks having vocal distortion. I didn't encounter a single instance of what I would call distortion whatsoever, it sounds alive and the best I've heard this album.
This hobby lives on subjectivity. I can take my same copy to another collectors turntable setup and this distortion that has been claimed may arise due to the thousands of variables that exist in tonearms, stylus, turntables, speakers, amps and preamps (or lack thereof), etc. Don't not purchase and give it a shot because of other listeners experiences. One persons "sounds terrible" could very well be a "sounds terrific" to another.

great work by Verve Records, great pressing great sound, perfect

Nice clean sound, very few crackling on the right side, but nothing too annoying (and it could be my system). the stage is defined but not very open. amazing voice.

I have just got my replacement copy of Variant 2 (with pressed at Quality Records sticker on the front), first one was warped enough to make a thump on the first track, the replacement is only half as warped (so much for "Quality"), can only assume this warping, which is mainly edge located is due to handling of still soft product at the pressing stage, unless the very heavy covers are slightly bending the record edge when sleeved? Anyway both sound great (as does Pastel Blues which was flat bought over a year earlier), played with a Microline & also a Fritz Gyger S, no inner groove distortion to report or no-fill issues, and as others noted this was never an audiophile recording, but gives a really clear vintage sound.

No issues at all with this pressing sounds great.
No regrets about this purchase.
Purchased on 02-12-2020.

dull, no depth, sounds a bit congested. definitely not analogue

Wow, this version is just perfect !
From the noiseless, flat acetate disc to the packaging, it's all worth every little penny.
A true gem in my collection.
I could compare the sound with my Verve reissue, which is already a great sounding one, but this acetate version beats it, mainly for the lower noise floor resulting in more details relieved and more micro dynamics.

purchased 07/2024 off amazon. had some zipping(?) on 2nd half of sideB. After a wet clean, zipping has been removed. I'm not getting really any of the vocal distortion. maybe a negligible amount on B6, but its not even worth noting, even though I just did.....I would confidently buy if your turntable is setup properly! sounds great, & arguably Simone's strongest record!