Seeking to offer audiophile grade versions of some of the best jazz records ever made, Verve and Universal Music new audiophile Acoustic Sounds Series is supervised by Chad Kassem, utilizing the skills of top mastering engineers and the craft of Quality Record Pressings, with all titles being mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing.

• Acoustic Sounds Series
• Mastered from the Original Analog Master Tapes
• Cut by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound
• Audiophile 180 Gram Vinyl LP
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings, QRP USA
• Deluxe Gatefold cover by Stoughton Printing

Rated 9/11 Music and 9/11 Sound by Michael Fremer (Analog Planet)

This is Nina at the piano, joined by a small band as she ignites a set of late-night torch songs: "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," "Strange Fruit," "Trouble in Mind," her stunning version of "Sinner Man," and more. Originally issued in 1965 by Philips.

In 1964, Nina Simone embarked on new stage of her career. Her rejection by the Philadelphia-based Curtis Institute Of Music; time spent as a pianist in an Atlantic City nightclub; her jazz, gospel, pop and classical influences – all these had fused to make her one of the most complex, fascinating and talented artists of the decade. Simone released her debut album in 1958, but when she signed to Philips, in 1964, her creative output was about to dovetail with the Civil Rights movement – notably coinciding with the Civil Rights Act Of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, gender, religious affiliation or nationality.

Simone's fifth album for Philips has the distinction of containing one of President Obama's favorite songs: Simone's 10-minute version of "Sinnerman." The song is also one of two from Pastel Blues to have been sampled by Kanye West (the other being Simone's haunting rendition of the Billie Holiday classic, "Strange Fruit"). Elsewhere, opener "By My Husband" had a different kind of afterlife once Jeff Buckley recorded it for consideration for his 1993 EP Live At Sin-é (his version finally surfaced on the expanded 2003 edition of the release). 1965's Pastel Blues was one of Simone's best-performing records, entering the Top 10 on Billboard's R&B charts.

"I Put a Spell On You is a thoughtful, often joyful sophisticated set of well-chosen, popular songs (pop of that era is unlike today's pop) that Nina Simone delivers with unerring charm and warmth. It's her most consistently excellent Philips era album and it and Pastel Blues, both released in 1965, are ideal showcases for both Simone's enduring artistry and for what made her Philips era records special. The sound of both of these records is the best that's been produced from these tapes and both records are well worth owning." - Michael Fremer, Analog Planet, Music 9/11, Sound 9/11

Track Listing:

01. Be My Husband
02. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
03. End Of The Line
04. Trouble In Mind
05. Tell Me More And More And
06. Some
07. Chilly Winds Don't Blow
08. Ain't No Use
09. Strange Fruit
10. Sinnerman

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫