Derek and the Dominos - Layla and other assorted love songs / 2 x 45 RPM 180 gram LPs

The reputation of Derek and the Dominos' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, their lone record, precedes it. Eric Clapton performing in the studio with Duane Allman, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and more for the only time. A batch of fire-pot blues, poignant gospel, and searing rock — all birthed from the leader's insatiable lust for his friend George Harrison's wife.

Now, experience it all, and one of the most famous guitar solos and codas in history, in unsurpassed sound courtesy of this quintessential 2LP reissue.

Mastered from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity's 180-gram version exposes the brilliance of Tom Dowd's original production and the scope of the virtuoso musicians' playing. You've never been closer to the aching vocals, stinging leads, tormented emotions, or wowing intensity that grace every track.

Clapton's tones emerge with unprecedented soulfulness. Afforded their own space in the mix, Allman's slide-guitar passages crackle with urgency. All-important sonic components such as soundstaging, imaging, and dynamics transport you to the actual event. This LP testifies on behalf of why fans deemed Clapton god.

Then, of course, there's the title track — crowned the 27th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone. What to say about the outro — arguably the most famous, passionately penetrating, visceral, double-edged guitar solo in history. Clapton's strings weeping with longing, hope, regret, unrequited love. It deserves the best-possible sonic platform, and receives it here, on an audiophile disc that brings Slowhand's every finger moment into great relief.

Perhaps the paralyzing degree of potency on display here, and the musicianship that remains the standard by which any blues-rock is judged, is meant to be preserved as one standalone record. Whatever the case, this is the LP version to own.