D'Angelo – Brown Sugar

Really tried to get into this one so many times when it first came out, but to no avail. Think the main reason was because D'Angelo just doesn't move me the way his UK "counterpart" Omar (Lye-Fook) for instance did a few years earlier on the latter's outstanding 'Music' album, which is currently OOP. 1995's 'Brown Sugar', in hindsight, comes off feeling more like an overbloated EP rather than a proper full-length LP. To MY ears, at least 4-5 tracks sounded "finished" while the rest sounded like half-baked rough demos with a lot of "unintelligible" mumbling on quite a few of 'em. As someone who literally grew up on my parents' record collection back during my '80s childhood, musically lackluster 1st impressions like D'Angelo's solo debut automatically get the axe from me and that's THAT! Found it rather amusing that many notable music critics here in the States were hyping this guy up so much as being the newfound "savior of old-school R&B and Soul" at that point in time. If only they had been paying more attention to what was actually going on overseas in the UK several years earlier, bet they would've changed their tunes REAL quick for that matter...

I already had high expectations since this album could aswell have been on 1lp and I was correct. Base heavy and just right. Minimum surface noise in some places though and it comes in paper sleeves.

Seems like folks are divided on how this pressing sounds. I personally love it - obviously, I wish it were pressed a little hotter to reduce surface noise, but given how much music is squeezed onto one slab, I find this to be (as ATCQ once said) precise, bass-heavy, and just right.

Sounds amazing, just wonderful. Go and get yourself a copy ASAP!

Purchased to compare to ‘95 UK pressing. For starters there is about +10 db difference on this version but a great balance of sound. The separation with instrumentation and vocals creates an experience not heard before. “Those dreaming eyes of mine” is a great example. Never a big fan of reissues & remasters but I’m pleased with the “Respect the Classic” 2015 pressing, full stereo sound as the ‘95 gives off a more mono presence.

A 180 gram double black vinyl set arrived in plain paper inner sleeves causing a LOT of static. After cleaning, slight surface noise still remained. Overall, a decent soundstage with mids & bass up front. I transferred the vinyl to MoFi style inners. Cheap packaging with no gatefold, liner notes, lyrics, etc

This record sounds excellent. Quality pressing all around, although both records are slightly warped but it does not affect play.

Not Deadsilent, but there is only little noise.
Great SQ, but not outstanding.
I can't understand why price skyrocketed.

This is a great record. But this pressing is, sadly, a little lacking. Low audio levels and very little sonic brilliance. I mean, it’s still good. But the CD is actually better, still.

Great pressing; very clear and the bass is well balanced.