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"Stay away form the chicken! BAAD chicken!"

What's going on with the suits at Rhino? More than 10 years ago they were doing fantastic reissues, good at informing customers what they were getting with hype sticker descriptions, and "RTI" pressing labels on the sleeves. A lot has happened in that time with the vinyl reissue boom, seems like Rhino doesn't get it anymore, people today, more than ever, want to know what they're buying.

As you probably are aware of, Rhino reissued this a number of years ago with Kevin Gray doing the mastering and cutting, all analog. I have it and it's very good, but aside from quieter surfaces, it's not nearly as magical as my original "bullet" label Atlantic stereo.

And Bernie Grundman remastered several years back at 45rpm on two discs. I think that also might have been for Rhino.

Will Rhino reuse the KG plates?

All I know is "most" everything I have on The Rhino label, older reissues especially with Bill Inglot's name on it, sounded flat, hollow, bottomless, topless and lifeless to my ears. I'd make the purchase, since in many cases it was the only way to get it, but more often than not my ears weren't pleased but what do I know?

I am certainly not a big Rhino fan. I have three versions of this already including a 24/192 digital file. I am not in a hurry to buy #4. Trane was an a fabulous sax player but I'm not sure why everyone swoons at his name. He left all of us behind in his later years searching for lord knows what. You can make a chair look like anything but in order to be useful it has to stay within certain proportions. The trick is to make a new chair that is useful. The trick is to make new music that is listenable. Anyone can play tennis without a net.
Wayne Shorter talks to me with his sax. I can always identify him in an instant. He left his indelible mark everywhere. He always makes a chair I can sit in.

What is Rhino hiding.
Thanks, No Thanks Rhino.

I've had an almost irrational love for this record nearly all my life, but I fail to see the need for another go-round. The past two decades have seen it included in stereo and mono box sets, plus a 2 x 45rpm edition and a Classic Records version. And decent, reasonably-priced Atlantic copies are all over eBay. For goodness sake Rhino stop answering questions nobody's asking.

on the labels to be transparent about mastering and source! The customers need this, otherwise we don’t buy.

OK Happy Will, will everyone who has listened to Ascension all the way through raise their hands!
I have. Once. Trying desperately to grab on to something, anything my meager brain could understand.

And if not the 2008 Universal fire, I think there was an earlier fire elsewhere when the original tapes were lost. Regardless, no info on how this release was made = no sale.

I find Rhino to be one of the best reissue labels. Their recent Stooges Funhouse sessions 45 rpm cut version of the album simply surpasses every other copy. They provide great value for the money. Their Ramones reissues, Coltrane mono box or Ornette Coleman were excellent and a steal at the price.
I have originals of mostly everything they reissue and Rhino doesn’t disappoint. Their attention to detail from accurate cover reproductions through even replicated inner sleeves can’t be faulted.
Michael, you carry a lot of weight when it comes to vinyl reissues. When you even hint that something is questionable, it get’s manipulated and suddenly people start spreading misinformation.

I’m gonna skip this one and save my money for the next Kind if Blue reissue. I think it will be special “100th Reissue Edition.”

To me, Rhino is Nice Legacy, Nice Cover, NO QUALITY.

Until they release the details that the Vinyl community demands, put them on hold. If there was cut from or mastered using original analog tape, the engineer and pressing plant information they would use that to market the release, added value without much cost and they know this. I would question why? Again the mega holders are repeating the sins that the reliable repeatable customers distain, only one way to convince them to change, let them sit on their shelves. Keep the pressure on Mike!

You can go to Rhino's page and leave a comment or ask a question. The more people who bug them the better. I asked about this and NEW YORK. We shall see.

I can’t understand why Rhino isn’t immediately forthcoming with the information regarding source material, the mastering engineer, or where it was pressed unless they’ve got something to hide. It sounds like a very cool 2xLP set plus a 7”, but I hesitate to drop any money until said information is released. For $30 it unfortunately almost sounds too good for the stars to quite align, and all 3 topics to come out sparkling with answers we like or even accept.

Answers. Well, at least one.

There’s a CD version of the 60th Anniversary set out now:
https://www.discogs.com/John-Coltrane-Giant-Steps/release/15337653

Per the Discogs notes, the remastering was done by John Webber. I have the CD set; its liner notes state John Webber, AIR Studios, London. The CD set does not state the s
ource. FWIW, a clear, crisp remix. Webber’s bio on the AIR Studios site does not list the GS work.

Eager to buy this if it's any good. Any word?

After MANY delays finally got it last week. I will remind everyone that "cut from digital" will also yield great pressings. And this one, at least on my gear and to my ears sounds fantastic. Silent too. Cut from digital? who cares - some of the best sounding albums of the first vinyl era came out at a time pros recorded digital but digital reproduction was yet not available to the consumer. Lenny's Mahler Cycle? Cut from digital. Most of Denon's Classical releases? Cut from digital. Peter Gabriel's Security? Cut from digital. All some of the best sounding LPs. Give this one a chance.