The Tony Williams Lifetime - Emergency! (2 LP)
- LP
- 2 piece(s)
- 1969
- 8 tracks
- 1 uur, 10 min
- jazz fusion
Emergency!Cheapest athmv.com
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4.2
Average of 6 reviews
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This is an amazing rendition of a classic album. The audio is rich and a tad messy, but that's inherent to the original recording and, to be truthful, part of its allure. Ryan K Smith has outdone himself with the mastering. The only way I can put it is that it's blended like a jazz album instead of a rock one, allowing the instruments more space and widening the sound field. The discs are a bit shaky, but that's unfortunately standard these days. It doesn't impact playback at all. The cover isn't top-notch quality, but I couldn't care less about that. It's an album that you can truly immerse yourself in, and that's what truly matters.
This one comes across more like a couple of extended, loose improvisations rather than a thoughtfully put-together album. It's unpredictable and doesn't often hit its mark. Yet, it's rowdy and chaotic, attempting to enjoy itself right on the edge of excess. It's not particularly engaging, but it's also not so over-the-top that it'll turn you away. Wild, off-the-wall jazz that goes off the rails. It won't fit every situation, but it'll fit a situation.
This is my fourth album from the VBR collection and hands down my top pick so far. Unlike the 1997 US CD version I know well, Ryan Smith's remaster tones down the "rock" vibe and brings out the true essence of a unified, if somewhat odd, jazz trio. It's a much more satisfying listen, in my opinion. Here's hoping RKS takes on more titles in this series—this one's a huge improvement. The packaging is basic with a DIY vibe (black and white print, matte cover, no gatefold, insert with original Gleason notes, and quiet, flat discs) that doesn't quite fit most VBR/Third Man releases, but it suits this one perfectly.
The first time I encountered EMERGENCY was during my college days, and I've been a fan of this album ever since. This particular vinyl pressing sounds fantastic to me - granted, it's been around 30 years since I last played it on vinyl, but it doesn't have that muddy quality I recalled...it's more dynamic, with a touch more clarity in the instruments, even though the drums, guitar, and organ still meld into a wall of sound. The yellow vinyl is impressively quiet and clean, and I'm really satisfied with this pressing. However, the album cover...why did they mess with the original artwork? Jack White's ego at play? Must make everything yellow? Plus, it's not a gatefold, and the binding isn't particularly sturdy. But for $18 at the uDiscover store, it was an easy decision. My copy plays perfectly, with not a hint of surface noise.
At first, I struggled to grasp and appreciate this album, and I'm aware now that there are some slow parts in the improvisations, but overall, the eight tracks make for an excellent record. Elements of rock, jazz, and underlying noise (like guitar feedback, off-beat drumming, and the deep organ bass) blend together to create a unique sound that Miles Davis tried to copy before he found his groove with riffs. Here, Tony Williams taps into something primal. Tony's mentioned that the Beatles inspired his "rock"-like sound; I don't hear much resemblance, but if the Beatles had a hand in "Emergency!", maybe I should give their music another shot.
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| Date | Lowest price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2025 | £39.99 | €39.99 |
| 28 Jan 2026 | £58.99 | €58.99 |
| 28 Feb 2026 | £62.99 | €62.99 |
| 9 Mar 2026 | £39.99 | €39.99 |