Jackie McLean – Tippin' The Scales

This is a great jazzy/bluesy date. Half the songs are Sonny Clark compositions, which makes this album even more exciting. I love the dynamic of this album: "Two For One" is a lively side B counterbalance to "Rainy Blues" on side A, for example. Really worthwhile, especially since the aftermarket price seems to have dropped significantly from original release.

I was able to snag this Tone Poet LP new for $9.83 from The Sound Of Vinyl. It is the usual TP quality, absolutely perfect. I read a lot of people having some issues with TP series. I own dozens and I have never got anything other than a perfect record. The background on this LP is as black as a record can get (pun?) as all my TPs are.

Jackie’s horn wails from left soundstage, Sonny is left center, Butch right center and Art’s Drums far right. Beautifully recorded and mastered, loving it. The sax is certainly closer to the mic, but all the instruments are well represented.

My copy is essentially perfect. The surface looks perfect, and there is no warping at all. On the entire record, I might have heard 3 very light clicks.

McLean's sax occupies the left speaker, while Art Taylor's drums are on the right. The piano and bass occupy the middle. The sax out of the left channel is very vivid and sharp, as are the drums. The bass and piano are softer. The piano is your typical Rudy Van Gelder soft sound. The bass is thumpy, but not very detailed.

Overall, I would give this 4.5 out of 5 stars, but rounded up as I felt a 5 rating is more appropriate than a 4 rating.

Cartridge: AT VMN50SH

My copy is top notch: excellent sound, no pop or disturbance in any sort... just the music!

I love the new artwork. And the usual Tone Poet standard for the glossed thick gatefold sleeve is a real treat.

Superb album, one of the better McLean offerings with some of his work being noodly, wanking off, tuneless nonesense that gives too many naysayers a reason to laugh at jazz! Usual high standards from Tone Poet and RTI. Jacket as awesome as usual. Pressing is lovely and quiet if scuffed and grubby looking as usual! Mastering flawless to my ears, sounds incredible. Absolute winner and for a product it delivers great value!

Along with Booker Ervin, Jackie McLean is one of my favourite “sour style” sax players. And this record is a wonderful example of his strident and unabashedly sour sound.
A great sounding record with a detailed and full soundstage and with only the 4 instruments, it’s a nice clear mix.
Excellent music and a very good pressing.

One of the best remasters of this series. Endless space around the players and lots of beautiful clean detail. The big problem with this pressing is quality control. I went trough two copies with the same issue. The last track on side B had 4 little pops around the lase 20 seconds. I took a chance and ordered a 3rd copy and it is totally clean. I'm super happy with this one. Make sure to buy it where they accept returns. As always, amazing mix by KG but there are some bad ones floating around out there.

Wonderful Tone Poet with an intimate soundstage. This one has got is all: slower and faster gems. Great date by wonderful players. Glad they made a new cover art. More in with the old Blue Note covers. Again, no pressing issues.

A few minor crackles; no big deal. Sound is generally excellent, as expected. Sonny Clark's optimistic, bristling style seemed to me the most engaging aspect of an otherwise fine, if uneven, set. Surely the finest pressing of this Japanese released title.