Bill Evan's second recording with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. Originally released in 1961 by Riverside Records, Explorations would be one of Evans' favorite recordings from the period. The album would also prove to be a favorite among listeners as it won the Billboard Jazz Critics award for best piano LP of 1961. The trio delivers pure jazz magic on fresh renditions of jazz standards like "How Deep Is The Ocean?" and "Beautiful Love," plus the lovely "Elsa," "Nardis," and more. Official WaxTime reissue on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl, complete with remastered sound and bonus track from same session ("The Boy Next Door"). Comes housed in reproduction pic sleeve.

• 180 gram vinyl pressing
• DMM Direct Metal Mastering
• includes bonus track from the same session, not on original LP
• music label: WaxTime 2012

reviewed by neck cork 02/2017