Patricia Barber's "Modern Cool" is one of those audio classics that needs no introduction. Jim Anderson's breathtakingly detailed and natural recording, combined with Barber's masterful compositions and performances, make this album an absolute must-have for any ambitious record collection. "Modern Cool" is a refined production, that's for sure. Yet it clearly stands out from most albums by her renowned jazz colleagues. The album is never overly polished or theatrical—Barber's style has too many rough edges for that, and she gives her fellow musicians the space to truly breathe life into the songs.
It's no surprise, then, that "Modern Cool" marked Barber's major breakthrough into the mainstream, even winning a Grammy for Best (Surround) Sound—a full 15 (!) years after its original release. During the album's promotional tour, Barber performed a selection of tracks—including her interpretation of The Doors' "Light My Fire"—during a four-night performance at New York's "The Jazz Standard." There, she was spotted by Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records, which ultimately led to a string of highly successful recordings for Premonition and Blue Note, worldwide tours, and unanimous critical acclaim.
For those who missed the sonically excellent MoFi Edition, or are looking to add to or upgrade their collection, now's the time: This immaculate reissue from Impex Records appears as a double LP (33 rpm) on 180-gram vinyl and—for the first time outside Impex's "OneStep" series—is pressed on VR900-D2 vinyl. The result is impressive: every detail and dynamic nuance is accurately reproduced, without harshness or sibilance. Remastered by Bernie Grundman using David Glasser's original master, the deluxe packaging is a modern interpretation of the original design and includes an exclusive, comprehensive booklet with lyrics and session photos by Barber's regular photographer Valerie Booth.
