How obscure is the 1961 album by Coleman Hawkins, The Hawk Relaxes? Issued on Prestige Records’ ballad-oriented jazz subsidiary Moodsville Records, a quick check of both Discogs and eBay at the time of this writing revealed exactly zero original first editions on these popular online used-collector marketplaces.
Fortunately, there have been reissues over the years, including some probably fine-sounding audiophile editions, such as a 2LP 45 RPM edition from Analogue Productions. However, those albums are already rare in their own right, and resale prices range from $175 to more than $300.
Fortunately, once again, Craft Recordings has come to the rescue, realizing that a high-quality and more reasonably priced edition was long overdue. And as with the Frank Wess Quartet LP I reviewed recently, this new version is a top-drawer production inside and out.
Indeed, as the official press materials attest:
“Each album will be released on vinyl in partnership with audiophile leader Acoustic Sounds, a partner Craft has previously collaborated with on its acclaimed Bluesville Records and Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds series. Delivering the highest-quality listening experience, the LPs feature all-analog mastering (AAA) from the original tapes by GRAMMY-nominated engineer Matthew Lutthans (The Mastering Lab) and are pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Records Pressing (QRP). Faithfully reproduced tip-on jackets round out every release.”
Coleman Hawkins was one of the big three influential saxophone players from the early days of jazz, dating back to the pre-bebop swing era and beyond. Alongside Ben Webster and Lester Young, Hawkins has long been one of my favorite players, with a rich-toned style that was less about fireworks and more about phrasing.
That said, rather than trying to keep pace with the more adventurous Ornette Colemans and John Coltranes of the era, Moodsville gave Hawk a platform for a beautiful, laid-back set of standards backed by terrific players like Kenny Burrell and Ron Carter.
Once again, this new Moodsville edition turned out to be true stereo, not monaural like my original copy (there is no indication anywhere on the cover or label that it is stereo). Comparatively, the new Craft/Moodsville edition wins points for the openness of the mastering and its wider-band soundstage. It’s a great-sounding album, ultimately.
And for the price of just $32.99 on Amazon you really can’t go wrong with this new Acoustic Sounds / Moodsville series reissue of The Hawk Relaxes, which is being released on September 18, 2026.
Our Ratings
★★★★★★★★★★ Music
★★★★★★★★★★ Sound
★★★★★★★★★★ Packaging
Where to Buy
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
Related Reading:
- Rare Frank Wess Quartet LP Returns In Stunning Stereo On Craft Recordings’ Acoustic Sounds Moodsville Series: Review
- John Coltrane’s ‘Africa/Brass’ 180-Gram Vinyl Reissue Review: A Verve Acoustic Sounds Standout
- Thelonious Monk Live In Paris 1967 Vinyl Review: Historic Quartet And Nonet Performances Get Superb Rudy Van Gelder Mastering
- Jimmy Reed At Carnegie Hall Review: Bluesville Revives The Famous Concert Album That Wasn’t Live
