Not so often, an album dazzles with incredible sound — reproduction so full-bodied and lifelike that it ranks with any \’audiophile\’ LP you can name. This album is one of those rare masterpieces, and a personal favorite of Chad Kassem, Acoustic Sounds, Inc. founder and CEO. When Chad gets this passionate about recommending to others the exceptional sound quality of a record, you know you\’re in for something phenomenal. Phoebe Snow\’s remastered 1974 self-titled debut doesn\’t disappoint.

Snow\’s signature hit \”Poetry Man\” established her as a leading light of the singer-songwriter movement. She died in April 2011 at the age of 60, but her swooping vocal acrobatics and transcending sound will live on forever. Reproduced here as a fantastic 45 RPM double LP set, Phoebe Snow features a masterful nine-track lineup. Most of the songs were written by a then 23-year old Snow, including her best-known smash hit \”Poetry Man. Snow was renowned for her elastic contralto and jazz scat vocals; this album became as legendary as her career, which spanned decades.

A soaring contralto, Snow was variously labeled a jazz, blues, pop, funk and gospel artist, depending on the record she released. As the New York Times noted, few popular singers of her generation combined the technical resources she commanded. She was a renowned interpreter of soul and rock classics, including the Temptations\’ \”Shakey Ground,\” \”Barbara Acklin\’s \”Love Makes a Woman,\” the Buckinghams\’ \”Mercy, Mercy, Mercy\” and Aretha Franklin\’s \”Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,\” which Snow sang with roof-raising power.

\”Poetry Man,\” and its lilting guiltar-based melody from Snow\’s debut album catapulted Snow to fame. The song, with lyrics addressed to a married man, rose to No. 5 on Billboard\’s Hot 100, and the album went to No. 4 on the album chart. Released as the singer-songwriter movement was at the peak of its influence, the album led to a Grammy nomination for Snow as best new artist of 1974.

Reissuing this masterpiece to our Analogue Productions standards was a meticulous — and expensive — undertaking. Mastering Engineer Kevin Gray was called upon to put his superb skills to work bringing out the most delicate sonic details on this ultra-dynamic recording. As for the quality of the record itself, the name says it all. This heavyweight platter from Quality Record Pressings is dead quiet — and smooth. Plating was also done in-house at QRP by master plating technician Gary Salstrom.

The mastering, the material, the artist, the pressing and the packaging — we\’re going all-out with an old-school tip-on gatefold jacket, the first time this album has been released as a gatefold — bring it all home to your turntable and your ears. It\’s Phoebe Snow — and she\’s never sounded better.