Patricia Barber Modern Cool - Impex 2025 Vinyl Review

Impex Records IMP 6061 Patricia Barber Modern Cool Impex has done it once again, and given us a beautiful and most likely definitive edition of Patricia Barber's follow up to Cafe Blue, 1998's Modern Cool. This edition of Modern Cool features all the music of the original CD release, and is mastered from the digital master by Bernie Grundman, using his analog mastering console, and analog lathe. The record is spread out over two 33rpm 180gm discs, pressed at Fidelity, and utilizes the VR900-D2 vinyl formula to provide the ultra silent pressings. The gorgeous heavy duty Stoughton tip on gatefold is printed using a variety of processes, giving us the best presentation of Modern Cool. Late update: In a last minute update from Abey Fonn, she told me that engineer Jim Anderson has clarified the sourcing of the record. It is digitally recorded but mixed analog. The correct symbol on the jacket should be DAAA. -Digital Recording -Analog Mixing -Analog Mastering -Analog Lathe Link to my written review at Audiophilia - https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2025/5/2/patricia-barber-modern-cool-impex-2025 As the video was already in the can, I wasn't able to correct this without a complete reshoot. Reference System -VPI Scout with Classic Platter Upgrade -JMW Memorial Tonearm -VPI Analog Drive System -Hana ML MC Cartridge -Phasemation PP-500 MC Cartridge -Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 Turntable -Ortofon Quintet Black MC Cartridge -Miyajima Labs Infinity Mono MC Cartridge -ModWright PH 9.0 Tube Phono Preamplifier -Cayin A-50T Integrated Tube Amplifier -System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeakers -Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner -VPI 16.5 Vacuum Record Cleaner -Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini -Pioneer RT-707 Reel To Reel Tape Deck -Ramar Record Brush The reference system is wired exclusively with Audio Art cables. 00:00 Introduction 01:00 About Cafe Blue 01:55 The Original Premonition Release 02:43 Sourcing 05:21 Jacket Comparison 09:09 Pressing And Labels 09:35 Why Not 45? 10:23 Sound Impressions 15:43 Conclusion