K.D. Lang - Ingenue/Because Sound Matters One Step Vinyl (2025)
K.D. Lang’s Ingenue made quite a splash in 1992, the record earning six Grammy nominations, and a well-deserved Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the big single, “Constant Craving”. Yet, I was aware of this incredible talent before Ingenue hit, from her previous solo effort, Shadowland. I also recall her amazing duet with Roy Orbison for his famous song “Crying”.
Ingenue strayed a bit from Lang’s country roots and presented her fabulous voice in a new setting of adult pop with cabaret flourishes. The result is an intoxicating listen with the voice front and center, and fascinating instrumental arrangements surrounding her. The recording was made at Vancouver Studios by Greg Penny and Marc Ramaer. Most of the material was written by Lang and Ben Mink, who also provided the lush string arrangements.
Those of us in the United States experienced this recording on CD or cassette when it was initially released. There was a European issue on vinyl that is somewhat rare to find these days. The first widespread reissue on LP is a 25th Anniversary set that includes a second disc with the MTV Unplugged performance. The original recording was done on analog tape, yet those two vinyl issues, and of course the CD, are taken from a digital source.
Warner Records is venturing into audiophile territory with Sound Matters. They started with three “One Step” releases of Linkin Park and have now turned their attention to this. Ingenue was my first exposure to their work.
The new reissue is a deluxe One Step release, cut for the first time from the original analog master tape. The mastering engineer was Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. It features the One Step process, with plating and pressing done on 180gm high-definition vinyl at RTI.
The slipcase contains a Stoughton gatefold jacket and a separate lyric sheet. It is a limited, numbered edition of 3,000. The retail price is $100.00.
Compared to Craft or Impex One Step slipcases, this is a somewhat ordinary affair. There is no inset artwork or textured surface that gives those slipcases a hint of luxury. The silver border and print are embossed. There was some incomplete adhesion of the silver lettering, a detail that would prevent the team at Impex from letting this pass through to the consumer. These little things are important to someone buying a $100 record.
The vinyl condition right out of the sleeve was concerning. Before cleaning, I happened to catch it under a bright halogen light, and there was a film covering the surface. A quick clean on the VPI yielded a better surface, yet the first play had a few tics. I held off until I could get it through the Degritter, which was rushed to me after an emergency call to my audio dealer Oswaldo Martinez! I put it on a heavy cycle and what emerged astonished me.
The very quiet opening of the first track “Save Me”, comes out of the deepest silence, caressing you with some lovely guitar sound and nicely balanced acoustic bass. When Lang enters, you realize this is going to be an audiophile dream come true. Some early user reviews have commented on sibilants on this track. Played back on either the VPI Scout with the Phasemation PP 500 cartridge or the Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 with the Ortofon Quintet Black S, and I didn't find this to be an issue. I do have the original CD and could hear it there, as well as more forward sound on the voice in general. I found the vocal reproduction on this record excellent throughout. The sound is very transparent, and the arrangements allow for a great sense of depth. Piano, vibraphone, and percussion are all displayed beautifully across the sound field.
Some of the many highlights throughout the album include:
“The Mind Of Love”, which was the third single from the album, continues the dreamy atmosphere. Gorgeous vocal from Lang, and a more lush instrumental texture with the addition of violin, viola, and steel guitar. The vocal soars very cleanly, with thrilling dynamic shading. The track’s swaying, hypnotic vibe is addicting.
“Miss Chatelain” was the second single and a very familiar tune to me. I didn't think anything could surprise me, but the One Step pressing brought out so much more nuance in the production. The arrangements nearly steal the show, but the vocal work is on another level. The light Latin dance rhythms, the addition of an accordion, as well as the backing vocals on this track, give it a distinctly vintage feel.
However, for sheer vocal perfection, “Wash Me Clean” stood out with its quiet intensity. The acoustic guitar and bass are a treat here, The dynamics ebb and flow beautifully. Marimba, percussion, and steel guitar are understated and precisely positioned in the deep soundstage.
“Ask It And So It Shall Be” is a beauty as well, continuing the elegant and understated mood. You can tell a lot of thought went into sequencing the first side. It’s so perfect, with such strong songs and performances, that if the record ended there, you'd feel you got your money's worth and then some.
Side Two kicks off with a beautiful, torchy song called “Still Thrives This Love”. The ambitious instrumentation includes a mandolin, santur, accordion, cello, and strings. Track after track yields more sonic surprises, beautiful singing, strong songwriting, and instrumental performances. The record ends with the Grammy Award-winning performance of “Constant Craving”.
I won't touch on each track, but the point is that this record was one of the best listens I've had in a year filled with great releases. It's a treasure, not only for its superb sound and production but for a chance to hear this masterful effort with a new depth and emotional involvement. Highly recommended.
