Cortex (6) – Troupeau Bleu

It seems there is some confusion regaring this pressing and the 2013 reissue, both come with posters and are incredibly similar if not identical. I own the 2013 issue, and it sounds awful. Noisy record, poor and VERY quiet mastering. I can't speak to the 2020 reissue, I'd imagine it's good since all the good reviews are coming from somewhere, but I could understand people confusing the two because there's hardly a difference. Worth noting I also picked up the 2013 Cortex Vol. 2 which is similarly noisy and poorly mastered. Hope that helps anybody. This will be posted across both editions mentioned.

Very good, sounds exactly like you would expect from this record, I am happy.

Je suis assez d'accord avec les commentaires "négatifs", habitué a écouter cet album en streaming sur Qobuz j'était super content de trouver sa réédition en vinyl. Pour moi, le son est moins bon, Moins de gain mais surtout manque de dynamique dans les mediums et les graves, on dirait qu'il y a un voile. Cela dit ... c'est un super album.

I just got a copy up today, and mine sounds great. Nice lows, punchy mids, and a wide soundstage. No complaints for $23.

Can't agree with the negative reviews. My record sounds huge and has good dynamics. It is one of the louder records in my collection but compared to others, the increase in volume didn't result in a compromised sound quality. Can only recommend this!

Agree with some of the previous reviewers. Voice sounds quite muddy at times and overall the LP is not very dynamic. I mean the latter in the sense, that even on dynamic horn speakers it is mostly just one level of loudness which is: loud! I have no OG pressing to compare, but in my mind there should be an audible difference between dreamy, quiet ages and loud "funk attacks" on this record, especially given that this is a 70s record.
Separation is not too bad, but overall I have the impression that it is just a replica of what you would hear in a digital format (e.g. Spotify). That said, the sound is not bad per se. Just do not expect wonders in of a jump in quality from digital to vinyl as in other releases.
Still, I would highly question trying to get an OG release for a couple hundred bucks, solely for the expected jump in fidelity. I mean this version is only 19€.
Poster is a nice addition as well.

I just bought a sealed copy and my version sounds legit, it’s clean and punchy. It’s mastered a few dBs quieter than a modern record and the bass isn’t as prominent but it’s a fucken experience. The famous tom break in Huit has some serious balls in the subs so the quieter bass is probably an aesthetic choice. It’s still present on most tracks and in your face on cuts like Mary et Jeff and Automne. The vocals are thick, 3D, and dreamy. I’m super stoked to finally get this record, a proper international artifact that has a page in jazz, funk, and hip hop history.

Did I get a dud or does this sound pretty dull and muddy?