On View At The Five Spot Cafe: The Complete Masters - Tone Poet 3 LP

Our review of On View At The Five Spot Cafe: The Complete Masters finds this 3 LP reissue aimed squarely at serious jazz collectors and audiophiles who value historical context and analog sound. The biggest reason to buy is the combination of newly unearthed performance material and high-quality vinyl treatment: six previously unreleased tracks cut all-analog from the original master tapes for a warm, present listening experience. This edition is a document of Kenny Burrell's 1959 live set with notable sidemen, presented in a deluxe package that rewards repeat plays and careful listening.

Key Features

• Expanded live program: Includes six previously unreleased tracks that extend the original 1959 performance and offer fresh listening moments for fans.
• All-analog mastering: Cut directly from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray to preserve analog warmth and dynamic nuance.
• 180g vinyl pressing: Pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl at RTI to improve tracking, reduce surface noise, and provide a stable playback experience.
• Deluxe packaging: Packaged in a tip-on trifold jacket with a booklet that contains never-before-seen Francis Wolff photos and a new interview for historical context.
• Notable personnel: Documents a stellar lineup featuring Art Blakey, Tina Brooks, Roland Hanna, Bobby Timmons and Ben Tucker alongside Kenny Burrell.

Who It's For

This release is ideal for dedicated jazz collectors, vinyl audiophiles and listeners who prioritize authentic analog signal chain mastering and historical reissues. The added material and deluxe book make it especially suited to fans of late 1950s Blue Note sessions and those who want liner notes and photos to complement listening.

Casual listeners or those who prefer digital convenience may find the package more than they need; if you primarily stream music or rarely play vinyl, a standard digital release may be a better fit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Expanded program with six unreleased tracks offers new insight into the live set.
• All-analog cut from original masters by Kevin Gray preserves the session's natural tone.
• 180g pressing at RTI and deluxe tip-on jacket give the set a premium physical presence.

Cons

• The package is aimed at collectors and may be overkill for listeners who prefer digital formats.

Specifications

Artist	Kenny Burrell (live session)
Title	On View At The Five Spot Cafe: The Complete Masters
Format	180g 3 LP
Mastering	All-analog cut from original master tapes by Kevin Gray
Pressing	Pressed at RTI
Packaging	Tip-on trifold jacket with booklet and Francis Wolff photos
Producer	Joe Harley

Our Verdict

This Tone Poet edition is a strong recommendation for collectors and audiophiles who want a carefully restored, physically substantial document of Kenny Burrell's 1959 live set. The combination of unreleased material, analog mastering and premium pressing makes it worthwhile for those who value sound quality and archival context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include bonus or unreleased tracks?
Yes, the Complete Masters includes six previously unreleased tracks from the 1959 live sessions.

How was the vinyl mastered?
The set was cut all-analog directly from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray.

What extras come with the package?
The 3 LP set is packaged in a tip-on trifold jacket and includes a booklet with never-before-seen Francis Wolff photos and a new interview with Kenny Burrell.