Title: Marillion – With Friends At St David’s
Release Date: 2021
Genre: Rock
Production/Label: Universal Music
Duration: 02:12:47 + 00:25:04 + 01:19:59
Quality: Blu-ray
Container: BDMV
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Audio codec: DTS, PCM
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 29999 kbps / 1080p / 23.976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: English / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio#2: English / DTS-HD Master Audio / 5.1 / 96 kHz / 6626 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Size: 46.06 + 39.07 GB
This is the Blu-Ray version of the concert film recorded at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wales on the 16th November 2019 during the Friends From The Orchestra Tour.
Features the entire show. Audio is stereo PCM and 5.1 surround.
Also includes bonus material –
Man Of 1000 Face (Live In Paris with choir)
Live In Kensington Bootleg Slideshow (You’re Gone, Power, A Collection)
Making Friends (Documentary)
Estonia Promo Film
With Friends From The Orchestra Studio album in 96khz stereo PCM and 96khz 5.1 DTS Master HD
Read moreСomposer: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Artist: Monteverdi Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Title: Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Genre: Classical
Label: © LSO Live
Release Date: 2017
Recorded live 16 February 2016 in DSD 128fs, at the Barbican, London
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
BD Audio:
Duration: 00:55:13
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 950 kbps / 1080i / 29.970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 192 kHz / 10478 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 / 192 kHz / 9216 kbps / 24-bit
BD Video:
Bonus HD video footage of the full concert performance on 16 February 2016, at which this recording was made, additionally containing the concert’s first half (Mendelssohn Symphony No 1).
Duration: 01:37:26
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 22000 kbps / 1080i / 29.970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
BD ROM:
Digital files: Stereo files in DSD / 24bit 96kHz FLAC / 16bit 44.1kHz WAV / 320kbps MP3
Continuing his award-winning cycle of works by Felix Mendelssohn, Sir John Eliot Gardiner leads the LSO, his Monteverdi Choir and three talented young actors from the Guildhall in a landmark performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, which was performed as part of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. To mark the celebrations, Gardiner produced a special version of the work featuring some cuts to the original movements that, in his words, “remove all of the music relating to the Mechanicals and thus focus on the world of the fairies and the human lovers”.
Mendelssohn, who adored Shakespeare’s writings, composed his concert overture based on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in 1827 aged 17, after having read a German translation of the play. The overture was immediately acclaimed as a masterpiece and quickly became a popular favourite throughout Europe. Years later in 1843 he was asked by the King of Prussia to provide a score for an entire production: 14 short works based on themes and moods from the original overture, with a broadly romantic sound although classical in style and structure.
The Pure Audio Blu-ray disc includes bonus footage of the concert performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 1, alongside high resolution master audio. (more…)
Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down (1983/2013) [High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray Disc]
LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 & Dolby TrueHD 2.0 | 24bit / 96kHz | Time – 00:40:52 minutes | 4,56 GB
Propelled by his immensely productive songwriting skills along with his dynamic performing style, Lionel Richie has reached a series of dazzling artistic heights, setting new standards in his craft and in the industry. With the Commodores he wrote some of the most enduring songs of all-time including “Still,” “Sail On,” “Easy” and the group’s first #1 hit, “Three Times a Lady.” At the dawn of the ’80’s, Kenny Rogers scored a #1 hit with Richie’s “Lady” and Richie had the same results with the Oscar nominated film track “Endless Love,” a duet with Diana Ross.
In 1982, Richie embarked on a solo career with the #1 single, “Truly.” A year later, Richie’s career hit its apex with the phenomenal album, Can’t Slow Down, which sold in excess of 15 million copies worldwide, spawned five chart-topping singles, and became the biggest selling album in the history of Motown Records. Can’t Slow Down’s first single, “All Night Long” became one of Richie’s most memorable hits when, at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Richie performed a marathon 20-minute version of the song before a television viewing audience estimated at 2.6 billion people worldwide. (more…)
Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993/2014) [High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray Disc] | 10.15 GB
#1: English / LPCM 2.0 / 192 kHz / 9216 kbps / 24-bit
#2: English / DTS-HD MA 2.0 / 192 kHz / 6339 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
#3: English / Dolby TrueHD 2.0 / 192 kHz / 5904 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)
Are You Gonna Go My Way is the third studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on March 9, 1993 by Virgin Records America. It was recorded at Waterfront Studios, Hoboken, New Jersey by Henry Hirsch. It became Kravitz’s first Top 20 album on the United States Billboard 200, and his first number one album in both Australia and the United Kingdom, achieving massive worldwide success that helped to establish his popularity as a performer. The album was certified 2× Platinum in the United States, for shipments of over 2.2 million copies, making it his third most successful album there, totalling over 4 million copies in worldwide sales.
Read moreArtist: Love And Rockets
Title: Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven
Genre: Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Goth Rock, Post Punk, New Wave
Label: © Beggars Banquet Music
Release Date: 2017
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 00:55:44
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 3995 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 8432 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio: English LPCM 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit
Size: 13 GB
Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven was Love And Rockets darkly psychedelic debut album, and it was released by Beggars Banquet in 1985 and marked the beginning of a career that would span an impressive 14 years and 7 albums. This special release features a high definition 96 kHz / 24 bit surround mix created by Neil Wilkes from the analogue multi-tracks and also includes three additional bonus tracks from the original session including the single “Ball Of Confusion” and a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Lucifer Sam”.
The original stereo masters, as used on the CD and vinyl, were digitally mixed on to F1 masters in 1985 at 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, so no high resolution analogue copies were created. For the Blu-ray release, Neil Wilkes has created a new HD stereo mix. The release has been approved by original producer John A. Rivers.
Love And Rockets formed in 1985, almost 2 years after the demise of cult goth pioneers Bauhaus. The band re-united Daniel Ash (vocals and guitar), David J (vocals and bass) and Kevin Haskins (drums). Back in the mid-Eighties, when the US alternative scene was just that, Love And Rockets were one of the leading lights.
Love and Rockets provided a clean slate and an opportunity to plumb the depths of imagination and influences. Their first single, a radical reworking of The Temptations classic “Ball Of Confusion”, was a huge hit in underground dance clubs on both sides of the Atlantic. The release of their acclaimed debut album followed. Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven was an unashamedly psychedelic adventure, far removed from the dark soundscapes of Bauhaus. Yet they had to fight hard to avoid being branded ‘goth’, citing Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan and the Beatles as primary influences.
This release is on a Pure Audio Blu-ray disc, meaning it can be played on a Blu-ray player like a CD, without the need for a navigational screen (though this is included). The audio streams are allocated to the color buttons on the remote control.
Ned Ragget wrote about it’s recent 30th anniversary for The Quietus. “it’s its own thing, ruined elegance, sculpted beauty, sometimes sharp without being angry, often inspiring without being sappy, able to capture even slow dull moments in an attractive fashion. Every time I hear it, I’m glad it exists.”
Read moreArtist: Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody
Title: Prometheus {The Dolby Atmos Experience}
Genre: Rock, Heavy Metal, Symphonic Power Metal, Neo-Classical Metal
Label: © Nuclear Blast Records
Release Date: 2016
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 01:10:12
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 950 kbps / 1080i / 29.970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English Dolby Atmos (TrueHD) 7.1 / 48 kHz / 7262 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1-EX / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
The latest album of Luca Turilli’s RHAPSODY, »Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus«, was chosen to be the first studio album in music history to be remixed in Dolby Atmos. Renowned producer/mixing engineer Chris Heil (DAVID BOWIE, BRYAN ADAMS, SCORPIONS) mixed the entire masterpiece in Dolby Atmos – the mindblowing result will be submitted for the 2017 Grammy nominations. »Prometheus, The Dolby Atmos Experience + Cinematic And Live« will be released December, 9th via Nuclear Blast.
Read moreThis box set features 18 CDs, 3 x blu-ray audio, one blu-ray video and two DVD-Audio discs. The first three CDs are devoted to enhanced version of the studio albums The ConstruKction Of Light (2000) and The Power to Believe (2003). The former has been remixed (by Don Gunn) and features all new drums by Pat Mastelotto and has a new moniker The ReconstruKction Of Light. The Power to Believe is featured as an extended/enhanced stereo mix and includes the studio version of Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With and Level 5.
The next four CDs feature the instrumental/improvised ProjeKcts, er, projects, described as “research and development” by Robert Fripp. These are all new to CD and each ‘ProjeKct’ each CD features a different line-up.
A further 11 CDs feature live recordings (several new to CD, with some material previously unreleased) from the 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2008 tours.
Of the three blu-ray audios:
- Disc One contains the complete recordings of ProjeKcts 1, 3, 4 & 6 – every single concert plus additional material the ProjeKcts released, it features the complete albums: ProjeKct 1- Space Groove, The ProjeKcts – 4CD box, ProjeKct 1 – Jazz Café Suite, ProjeKct X – Heaven & Earth, BPM&M – ExtraKcts & ArtifaKcts and Rieflin/Fripp/Gunn – Repercussions of Angelic Behaviour
- Disc Two contains the complete recordings of ProjeKct 2 (every single concert). More than 30 shows plus an album’s worth of rehearsals.
- Disc Three contains The ReconstruKction Of Light – the album in stereo and 5.1 mixes with the drums completely re-recorded by Pat Mastelotto – stereo mixes by Don Gunn, 5.1 mixes by David Singleton and the original album in hi-res stereo, The Power to Believe – expanded/enhanced 2019 master (2 tracks with additional elements plus 3 extra tracks assembled/mixed by David Singleton) and 5.1 surround mixes by David Singleton – all mixes executive produced by Robert Fripp – plus the Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With and Level 5 mini-albums, the 2000 show from London, the EleKtriK live album from 2003 and a video of a tour of the KC studio/live equipment setup from 2002.
There is also blu-Ray video disc of Europe 2000 – The Bootleg TV tour, which features around 10 hours of audio/video mostly never seen/heard since the concerts with versions of selected songs and improvs (usually two per night of each) from almost every show. Includes footage and music from 20 performances.
Read moreArtist: Hawkwind
Title: Days Of The Underground (The Studio & Live Recordings 1977-1979)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock, Space Rock
Label: Atomhenge
Release Date: 2023
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 00:40:16+01:24:23
Audio#1: English / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio#2: English / LPCM Audio / 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit
Size: 39,22 GB
Nearly a decade after the release of the acclaimed surround mix of Warrior on the Edge of Time, a limited edition 8 CD / 2 Blu ray boxed set from Hawkwind that showcases the band’s tenure with Charisma Records in the late 1970s is released in March 2023. On this deluxe box set titled “Days of the Underground: The Studio & Live Recordings 1977-1979” fans will find the music that breaks new ground, producing a series of classic albums that adapted to the changing musical times with invention and flair. Specifically, the boxed set features three albums: “Quark, Strangeness and Charm,” “Hawklords: 25 Years On,” and “P.X.R. 5” each with immersive 5.1 surround sound and Stereo remixes by Steven Wilson.
But there is much more, there is a host of rare studio outtakes from that era, as well as four additional CDs of live material. These performances have been newly mixed from the original multi-track tapes, including all the surviving recordings from the September 1977 ‘Sonic Assassins’ concert, the Hawklords’ concert from November 1978 and a previously unreleased promotional film of Hawklords at Uxbridge University in 1978.
The boxed set also comes with a lavishly illustrated book, essay, and a poster. Fans will be able to dig deeply into the history of this groundbreaking period in Hawkwind’s career. Experience their live performances, with Robert Calvert as an able frontman, and hear previously unreleased tracks from these legendary concerts.
Each of the three albums that have been remixed in surround by Wilson extend the territory of their music style. “Quark, Strangeness and Charm” was the first to depart from Hawkwind’s traditional space rock sound and marked their shift towards pop and accessible melodies. The album featured songs that fed into the traditional Hawkwind mythos, such as “Damnation Alley” and “Forge of Vulcan,” as well as a Middle Eastern epic called “Hassan I Sabha.” Their new sound was a shock to loyal fans back in the day, but ended up receiving airplay and the band even made their first mainstream UK TV appearance in some five years. The album has gone on to remain one of Hawkwind’s most endearingly enduring albums.
Then there is “Hawklords: 25 Years On” which emerged as one of the band’s last great albums before Hawkwind’s decline in the 1980s. This album continued the band’s experimentation with electronics and quirkiness, which had been heard on their previous album, Quark Strangeness and Charm. The album featured a range of themes, including comedy, sci-fi, and futurism, and was in line with the current music scene. Yet, despite the album’s quality, it failed to achieve major success, and now surround immersionists can enjoy this album from their sweet spot.
PXR5 is the last album in the boxset to be remixed in surround, and it closes out the-’70s incarnation of the group, which features vocalist/poet Bob Calvert along with other members. It is the final album in a sequence of pop-inflected records that the band released that have been critically acclaimed to have astounding sounds and amazing music. Featuring punkish intensity and fashionability with themes of life atop spacy pastures and roughshod tracks that easily could have slipped out of songs like “In Search of Space.” Although the album is not an all-out classic, it does contain very worthy tracks, and “Death Trap” is among those songs.
While I may have preferred these albums to be released separately, I also appreciate the multi-album boxset that packs in the live material, bonuses, and of course the 5.1 surround mixes of three of Hawkwind’s late ‘70s output. Best for serious fans of Hawkwind, surround music collectors, and psychedelic progressive rock listeners.
Read moreTitle: Schiller – Illuminate
Release Date: 2023
Genre: Electro, Downtempo, Ambient
Production/Label: Sony Music
Duration: 01:49:29+02:25:21+00:30:19
Quality: Blu-ray
Container: BDMV
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Audio codec: PCM / DTS / Dolby TrueHD Audio
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 21990 kbps / 1080i / 25 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: English / LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Audio#2: English / DTS-HD Master Audio / 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2671 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio#3: English / Dolby TrueHD Audio / 7.1 / 48 kHz / 3588 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps)
Size: 41.66 GB
With 8 number 1 albums and numerous gold & platinum awards, Schiller mastermind Christopher von Deylen is Germany’s number 1 electronic artist. On his new album Illuminate, von Deylen consistently continues his musical path, which has recently led him back towards edgy electronic beats with catchy melodies. Like “Morgenstund”, “Summer in Berlin” and “Epic”, the new album with 18 selected songs will be available on Blu-ray Disc with Dolby Atmos mixes and a video track.
For the first time, there is a limited premium deluxe edition. The 60-page extra large hardcover book (28x28cm) contains three CDs as well as a Blu-ray and an exclusive, hand-signed and limited edition special print with a unique motif. The Blu-ray contains the highlights of “Illuminate” in Dolby Atmos Surround Sound as well as a lot of visual content. The super deluxe edition is also limited and comes as a hardback box set in a slipcase with two CDs and a Blu-ray.
Read moreAlbum title: Thomas D.A. Tellefsen (1823-1874) – complete piano works
Performer: Jørgen Larsen
Genre: Classical, piano
Label: 2L, Lindberg Lyd
Location: Ringve Museum, Norway
Release date: April 2012
Recording date: May 2010 and February 2011
Original source: Mastering in DXD (352.8kHz/24bit)
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 03:18:36
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 950 kbps / 1080i / 29,970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 5660 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio#2: LPCM 2.0 / 192 kHz / 9216 kbps / 24-bit
The story of Thomas Dyke Acland Tellefsen (1823-1874) has a special place in the history of 19th century Norwegian music. In his own lifetime he earned an international reputation as a composer, piano virtuoso and teacher, enjoying a close relationship to Chopin both as a pupil and a friend. The connection to Chopin is reflected in several ways in Tellefsen’s music, both in terms of choice of style and genre and by the fact that the majority of his works are for solo piano.
Read moreTitle: Jethro Tull – Aqualung – 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Genre: rock
Length: ~ 237 min.
Year: 1971
Release year: 2011
Labels: EMI Records | Chrysalis Records
Remastering: Steven Wilson
Commemorative Collector’s Edition of the classic 1971 album, featuring previously unreleased all new stereo and 5.1 surround sound edition, mixed by Steven Wilson. Blu-ray Album mixed to 5.1 surround sound with 4 additional recordings all 96/24 LPCM & DTS-HD Master Audio.
Though this is ostensibly an “audio only” release, there is minimal video content on the Blu-ray, encoded via AVC. It’s simple things like an animated screen featuring the original album cover with superimposed titles of whatever song is playing, or in the case of the bonus tracks, various (sometimes weird and wacky) promo pictures of Ian and the boys.
The audio options on the Blu-ray disc:
• New Mix by Steven Wilson 2011 – 96/24 LPCM Stereo
• New Mix by Steven Wilson 2011 – 96/24 LPCM 5.1
• New Mix by Steven Wilson 2011 – DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Original Mix (Direct Transfer of ј Inch Master) – 96/24 LPCM Stereo
• Quad Mix (Original 1974 Quadrophonic Mix by Robin Black) – 96/24 LPCM 4.1
• Quad Mix (Original 1974 Quadrophonic Mix by Robin Black) – DTS-HD Master Audio 4.1
The definitive new Best Of John Lennon – 36 tracks completely remixed from the original master tapes, giving these classic songs a new life for generations to come and sounding better than ever before. Box contains 2CD’s and 1 Blu-ray which features all 36 tracks in hi-res stereo 96/24 PCM, new 5.1 surround mixes and Dolby Atmos for the ultimate immersive experience. Also contains an incredible 124 page book with rare photos and extensive notes from John and Yoko and others who were there at the time. Additionally contains fold-out 2 sided poster, 2x postcards and GIMME SOME TRUTH. bumper sticker.
Read moreArtist: Jane Ira Bloom
Title: Early Americans
Genre: Jazz, Modern Jazz
Label: Sono Luminus
Release Date: 2016
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 52:27
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 950 kbps / 1080i / 29,970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 8012 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio#2: LPCM 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Size: 5,34 GB
Jane Ira Bloom’s “Early Americans” is Right on Time. Brilliant soprano sax with great sidemen. Jane Ira Bloom does what she wants when she wants and she always makes it sing. She has just released “Early Americans,” her sixth album for Outline Records (OTL 142) and her sixteenth as a leader. It is, however, her first trio album and I’m glad I was here to witness it. The album is composed almost entirely by Jane Ira Bloom with the single exception of Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere.” Joining her are long-time associates Mark Helias on bass and Bobby Previte on drums. She drew these guys together with her in 2015 for this very project and it is a trio for the ages. “Song Patrol” is the inaugural piece on the album. The strummed bass of Helias and the rim shots and hollow toms of Previte kick it off. Jane Ira Bloom’s exquisite soprano saxophone flies in on the wings of a lark and it is obvious from the very beginning that this is going to speak to your soul. The trio is aware of each other in ways that comes only from deep familiarity. That Bloom and Helias have known each other since the mid-1970s and Bloom and Previte since 2000 should come as no surprise once you hear them together.“Dangerous Times” features an aboriginal rhythm section as Bloom’s soprano sax seems to embody the fight or flight impulse. It is reminiscent of the Native American encounters with the European colonists and the uneasy relationship that unfolded into outright hostility as the Europeans began the push across the American continents. The drums are relentless and the bass drones menacingly as the sax flees, seeks to resist, and flees again. Still, the loveliness of the sax maintains its own virtue against the worst of threats. “Nearly (For Kenny Wheeler)” is the shortest piece on the album. It is a solo soprano sax piece that allows Bloom full expression and exposure. It is lyrical and stunning in its simple beauty. The tone and tempo changes with “Hips & Sticks.” Previte’s rhythms are brilliant and entirely captivating. It is a hard groove with a propulsion issuing from Helias’ bass that works perfectly with Previte. Over it all, Bloom dances to the drive of the rhythm section. This is tight and hot. Helias and Previte take off and stay aloft throughout the piece. There is a sound and a sensation here that is unexpected and certainly unmatched. This one got me good. “Singing the Triangle” opens with soprano and bass in duet. The moves away with the drums in agreement as the Bloom sax works at odd ends. Then the trio catches together and all three artists are in complete union. Helias’ solo is an extension of the melodic line and Previte is in lock-step with him. The movement together is sweet and satisfying. The bouncy gives way to melancholy in “Other Eyes.” The tonality of Bloom is astounding and the Helias bass expressions are spot-on. The duet of these two is something amazing. It is full of longing and unfulfillment. The 4-note motif of the bass—with its bent third note—is a cool device for the soprano’s lookaways. The trades between them are soulful and meaningful in their beauty. Wonderful. Things start to cook with “Rhyme or Rhythm.” Actually, it’s both. The rhythm section is locked-in on the hard groove and Bloom hovers close to the flame in her spiraling melodies. This one smokes. “Mind Gray River” opens with a bit of Americana-sounding bass. The rolling drums behind the bass offer a wide space for Bloom’s movement and imagery. The soprano is transcendent of the earthy rhythm section and struggles for escape from the boundaries of the bass and drums. This is a folksy meditation. “Cornets of Paradise” opens with a frenetic exchange of tempos and rhythms and textures. The bass and drums break one way and the sax breaks another. Previte’s drums drive forward and Bloom and Helias surf the wave he provides. “Say More” brings another soulful episode around, full of space and understated movement. In a piece that says more in the space than it does in the music, “Say More” is a wonderfully ironic title. Bloom, however, takes that space to force tones that are sharp and even piercing. Hold your heart for this one. “Gateway to Progress” is another hard-swinging piece that Bloom climbs all over. So help me, Jane Ira Bloom can do anything with that horn. Yes, every sax player is influenced by Coltrane to some degree or other but Bloom has learned experimentation and adventure that echoes of the master. Helias works a beautiful bass solo that is just that adventurous. Previte takes to the adventure in equally robust ways with fascinating drumming choices that grab the attention. “Big Bill” has Previte sounding like Bill Bruford in the precise strokes and rolls, although that probably has nothing to do with the title. Bloom follows a fine theme that is rich and exciting. Helias carries the big stick into realms both foreign and familiar. This one is easy to love. And I do. The album concludes with “Somewhere,” Leonard Bernstein’s adagio from “West Side Story.” It is, of course, a lovely piece and Bloom’s solo soprano sax rendition is exquisite. The tone, the phrasing, the emotion are warm and wonderful. As is the whole album. Sometimes you encounter the unexpected in Jazz and that is not always a rewarding thing. With Jane Ira Bloom’s “Early Americans,” however, the experience can open one’s eyes to a land unknown and emotions unfamiliar. This album takes you where you have never been…and you don’t want to come back. – Travis Rodgers Jr., JazzTimes
Read moreTitle: IQ – Scrape Across The Sky – Live At The Boerderij Zoetermeer Holland
Release Date: 2016
Genre: Prog Rock, Symphonic Rock
Production/Label: Giant Electric Pea
Duration: 04:58:03 (1:53:34+19:10+11:43+14:00+2:12:14+7:22)
Quality: Blu-ray
Container: BDMV
Video codec: H.264
Audio codec: PCM, AC3
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 7142 kbps / 1080i / 25 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio #1: LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Audio #2: Dolby Digital Audio / 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Audio #3: LPCM Audio / 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Size: 21.68 GB
Filmed in December 2014 at The Boerderij in Holland, the concert was part of the Road Of Bones tour and features all the tracks from the first Road of Bones CD, along with ‘Ten Million Demons’ as the encore and a host of other live IQ favorites. With audio in stereo and 5. 1 surround sound, the special features include: the encores’ from the Borederij gig. ‘Until The End’ – video from the 2014 Lorelei festival. ‘The Projections’ – just the projections used in the gig accompanied by the live audio. The Art of The Road of Bones – Peter Nicholls in conversation with Tony Lythgoe, graphic artist and designer of the striking album cover and logo for IQ’s recent album The Road of Bones. Photo GalleryIQ: Scrape Across the Sky (Blu-ray)
Read moreCompletely remixed from original multitracks, overseen by producer Yoko Ono Lennon, featuring Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston & Phil Spector. Ultimate Mixes, Outtakes, Elements, Raw Studio, Evolution, Demos, Jams & Yoko Live Sessions. 2 Blu-Ray Audio Discs: 159 new mixes, 11+ hrs, HiRes 192/24: Stereo, 5.1 Surround & Dolby Atmos. 6 CDs: 102 new mixes, 6+ hrs. 132-page hardback book with rare photos, memorabilia & extensive notes. Poster & 2 postcards.
Read more