It’s long been regarded as Coltrane’s defining statement — a spiritually charged, boundary-pushing 1965 suite that sits among the most important recordings in jazz history, if not any genre. A Love Supreme is essential listening, and for many collectors the scarce original mono mix remains the most immediate and cohesive way to experience it. Universal Music’s Verve/Impulse labels, working with Acoustic Sounds, have finally put that version back within reach through a new 60th-anniversary, all-analog 180-gram vinyl reissue.
Background from the official materials helps underline just how much care went into this edition:
“Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme: Mono Edition is faithfully mastered from the original analog tapes by Ryan K. Smith of Sterling Sound, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, and housed in a tip-on gatefold jacket. The mono edition offers fans a fresh perspective — its impact is immediate, intense, and unforgettable. Featuring the Classic Quartet of McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones, A Love Supreme remains one of the most honest musical statements ever captured on tape. It’s a timeless record, presented here in a new form.”
While the mono experience itself isn’t “new,” it will feel that way for almost everyone—original mono pressings are practically unicorns at this point. Whether you’re digging online or flipping crates in a trusted shop, OG copies have become brutally expensive. As of this writing, used mono editions on Discogs start around $300 for a VG copy and climb to roughly $1,500 for anything close to near mint.
Clearly, a good mono reissue was long overdue and generally I am very pleased with this new edition. My nice dark black vinyl copy is well centered and quiet. The package recreates the original cover look/feel including the orange/black cross design label.
Most importantly A Love Supreme: Mono Edition sounds really good. In fact, I think I like it better than my stereo OG which could, in part, explain why this version is so in demand.
Important background to consider: In audiophile circles there is much intrigue (and mystery!) regarding engineer Rudy Van Gelder’s (aka RVG) revered recording/mastering techniques. From other recent reviews I’ve written, I learned that around 1957/58 when RVG obtained his first stereo tape recorders, from that point onward he reportedly recorded everything in stereo, mixing down the two tracks for mono mixes.
The internet being what it is, of course, there is speculation circulating that RVG did however run a simultaneous mono master recording for Impulse Records at the time this album was made, but I’ve yet to confirm that. I personally suspect RVG’s process is the former scenario and there-in lies the magic of how RVG possibly worked, anticipating future “fold down” mixes from two-track stereo so that the balance would be preserved in mono.
Whatever it is, to my ear the A Love Supreme: Mono Edition listening experience is much more enjoyable than stereo as it puts Coltrane’s saxophone front and center (instead of over to one side/speaker). The sonic impact is punchier, given the rhythm section is also balanced, so the LP is ultimately more satisfying.
If you love this album, you owe it to yourself to try A Love Supreme: Mono Edition. Now that you can get a faithful reissue for $39.98 at Amazon (click here) — a tiny fraction of what a clean OG would cost you these days — you really have nothing to lose. Until that rare affordable “unicorn” copy comes your way, this is a fine version to add to your collection.
Where to buy: $39.98 at Amazon | Verve Records
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.
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