Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

We all know that finding quiet 4 digit, 1841 Broadway copies in the wild is a chore. So when I became frustrated with the overbearing amount of noise on my Presswell and just wanted a QUIET copy, I added the yellow KPG to the shelf. Since then, I elevated my cleaning techniques to exalted levels and could make an unbiased comparison between the two...

In calculus, I doing optimization problems, determining the maximum yield inside an orange grove. The lesson is that if you overcrowd, competition leads to interference and this chokes out the overall yield... I think of this every time I consider a KPG mastering, which sounds like my 12 year old self dorking with a five band EQ with most everything pushing +12db. This is the loudness war brought to vinyl.

A standard copy provides better listening by a notable margin. I advocate people forget the hype about reissues, especially this one. If you want the reissue because it's quiet or deliciously yellow, GO NUTS. Just understand, it's not what was intended by God, Mother Nature, or Jerry Wexler. The proper mix populates both a forward and receded sonic plane. Anything heavily reverbed floats in the background aether, especially on "Day Dreaming," That's the dang point. The intended result is very three dimensional. You can have this OR the audio equivalent to cookies baking into each other on the tray. 🥴

The Hoffman Forum fan boys are going to inundate me with snarky comments for disrespecting their idol and questioning their precious wordview. So what? This ain't your home turf. We do elevated discourse here, without the "thought police" s getting butthurt and expunging the slightest criticism of their tribe. I realize that I commonly come across as a crank, but I am not gong to apologize for the conclusions I derive from a shibata stylus, Class A tube amp, and laboriously hand scrubbed gunk free vinyl. Upgrading to these blew all of my preconceptions about mastering out of the water.

I don't mind the debate. So if you're familiar with the sonic hallmarks of the original Aretha discs, give me your best rebuttal.

Mastering is great (Kevin gray is great). Pressing is pretty meh. I had to buy another one because the vinyl was noisy. 2nd wasn’t that much better. Still worth buying for sure.

Excellent album from Aretha, no arguments here. Should be in everyone’s collection. This reissue is good but if you can find a nice clean original, don’t hesitate, get it. It’s much better.

Mine has the same identifying barcode and runout, but is clearly 150 grams, not 180. Anyone else have this? Otherwise I cannot find a match. Is it possible that they also re-issued a 150g version?

Worth the price of ission for Rock Steady alone! This smokes if you have a clean one.

Doesn't CRC mean Columbia Record Club? There's another entry here for a CRC pressing with no label picture:

https://discogs.sitiosdesbloqueados.info/release/26987307-Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black

I think the listings should be combined to show as Terre Haute pressing, Columbia Record Club (CRC) or something to that effect.

Anyhow, the mix is a bit off. Lots of low end but still a fun listen.

Terrible pressing. But since this was mastered by KG I doubt it's an issue at that level. I ordered directly from Rhino and there were delays, so this was probably rushed to fill orders. I'd return it but Rhino was so terrible to deal with I'll just keep it or give it away : (

This record is just fabulous from every angle possible: the music, the sound, the pressing. I heard no noise except the fast beating of my heart and my bopping booty. A complete steal at the msrp and a must buy if you are a human with ears.

Pressing is a little on the noisy side but other than that the audio sounds crystal clear and wonderful! I think they did a very good job in general on this pressing. Even the sleeve seems amazing quality as it is made of cardboard.

My copy sounds wide open and amazingly well balanced. Yes, the bass is rich and full, but there’s also plenty of snap in Bernard Purdie’s snare drum and Aretha’s high notes tickle your inner ear, just as they should.

I’m guessing a digital source as analogue is normally shouted about, but the mastering is absolutely rock solid. Unless you can find a minty fresh original, this is probably the way to go.

Awful disc colour though but.