SACD / DSD

Hiroshima – The Bridge (2003) {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · November 17, 2018 · Comments off

Hiroshima, a group whose music falls between R&B, pop, world music, and jazz, has long had its own niche. The band integrates traditional Japanese instruments into their musical blend and has generally been both commercial and creative within its genre.

Few bands have so artfully and appealingly blended pop, R&B, jazz and world music over the past few decades as this East L.A.-bred ensemble, Hiroshima, which enters the new millennium with a set that draws on everything from old-school soul to Les McCann to the Japanese traditions so dear to its heart. Heads Up will no doubt market this as a smooth jazz project, but only a few tracks are middle of the road enough to truly qualify. The best of these, the lilting and inspirational “Believe,” balances Terry Steele’s seductive soul vocals with the exotic touches of bandleader Dan Kuramoto’s breathy alto flute and June Kuramoto’s trademark koto. “Another Wish” also captures the dreamy side of their artistry. That’s part of the secret of Hiroshima’s success; even at their mellowest, there’s still a feast for globally attuned ears. Then when they go funky, as on the horn driven “Shaka Phonk,” there are always June’s glistening strings floating beyond the groove. The disc begins with a tune (“Eternal Phoenix”) that offers a colorful hodgepodge of all their best elements, from ancient chimes and flutes to hypnotic percussion, modern grooving and distant, crunchy fusion guitars. The band has gone through various female lead vocalists but does even better with Terry Steele, who creates appealing updates of classic Isley Brothers and George Benson tunes. (more…)

Hugo Montenegro – Rocket Man & Mammy Blue (1975/1971) [Reissue 2018] {2.0 & 5.1} PS3 ISO + FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · August 26, 2018 · Comments off

A pair of 70s albums from Hugo Montenegro – back to back on a single CD! Rocket Man is excellent – very groovy stuff! After paying tribute to Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan on other LPs, Hugo Montenegro turns his talents to the groovy compositions of Elton John in this nice album of moogy instrumentals – a set that’s got some upbeat material that almost hits a funky club style – graced with loads of work on Arp by John Montenegro! The tune are all big ones by Elton, mostly – and the presentation here is pretty cool, with a very different vibe than the big hits. There’s also a few solos by trumpeters Chuck Findley and Gary Barone – and titles include “Rocket Man”, “Bitch Is Back”, “Daniel”, “Take Me To The Pilot”, “Philadelphia Freedom”, and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – plus the originals “Splashdown” and “Blastoff”, which bracket the album in a “rocket” theme. Mammy Blue is funky moogy material from Hugo Montenegro, recorded during the time when he was making the shift from crime jazz and vocal themes to more electronic stuff with a 70s groove! The record’s got some very nice Arp on it in parts, and even though the tracks are mostly pop ones, they’re given the usual Montenegro twist, and have a nice nutty edge. Titles include “Peace Train”, “Zingaro”, “Movin On”, “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, “Superstar”, and “I Feel The Earth Move”.

(more…)

Hue and Cry – Next Move (1999) {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 26, 2018 · Comments off

Next Move is the 11th album in a career that took off after Hue and Cry, the stage name of brothers Pat Kane and Greg Kane, opened for Madonna in 1986. Since then, they have done quite well, sitting at the U.K. Top of the Charts on more than one occasion. The album combines elements of jazz, rock, and pop. To better assess the performance, the album should be broken up into two categories, the music and the words, which rarely come together here, at least in the way generally represented in jazz vocalizing. (more…)

Hubert Sumlin – Blues Guitar Boss (1990) [Reissue 2005] {2.0 & 5.1} SACD ISO + FLAC

SACD / DSD By admin · August 26, 2018 · Comments off

Hubert Sumlin was a brilliant guitarist who was a Howlin’ Wolf sideman and a vast influence on Eric Clapton and Peter Green amongst others. This killer album started with a five-week tour of Europe with these musicians before they hit the UK. There was a lot of songwriting in hotel rooms which paid off handsomely. Here are 5 brand new songs from Hubert, a couple of well thought-out instrumentals and Hubert playing his usual imaginative lead guitar on 3 new songs by Richard Studholme. Musically, it’s all tough blues but within that there is tremendous variation ranging from some nice modern touches to a couple of Jimmy Reedish tracks with just two guitars and drums. Altogether a superb team effort and a real revelation.

(more…)

Harry Allen Quartet – French Lullaby (2018) [Japan] {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 26, 2018 · Comments off

Tenorist Harry Allen serves up a great French lullaby of his own – crafted together from the work of famous Parisian songwriters like Michel Legrand, Charles Trenet, and others – and delivered here in a small combo instrumental mode! The setting is great – as Allen’s deep tenor is balanced with the guitar of Jacob Fisher, which makes for a different presentation than a piano might have given the record – as Hans Beckenroth provides bass and Kristian Leth handles drums – all in a well-recorded ate that’s up to the standard that we’ve come to love from Venus Records. Titles include “I Will Wait For You”, “The Summer Knows”, “Chateau En Suede”, “I Wish You Love”, “My Way”, and “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life”. (more…)

Davide Palladin Trio – Gentle Art Of Love (2018) [Japan] {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 20, 2018 · Comments off

After graduating with honors from the A. Buzzolla Conservatory in Adria and then graduating summa cum laude from the G. Frescobaldi Conservatory in Ferrara, Davide Palladin performs and records with many local and international musicians, mainly in the jazz scene. He has also frequently collaborated with various artistic spaces, composing and taking care of music for art exhibitions, performances and theater. Davide also had the honor of being one of the ten guitarists invited to play with M° Franco Cerri on the occasion of the “10 Guitars For Franco Cerri”: a tribute to the most important guitarist in Italian Jazz history. In 2017 Davide was awarded Best Talent at the Bobby Durham Jazz Camp. (more…)

Carmen McRae – Supreme Jazz (2006) [2.0 & 5.1] {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · August 20, 2018 · Comments off

Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics. McRae was inspired by Billie Holiday, but she established her own voice. She recorded over sixty albums and performed worldwide.

(more…)

Various Artists – Living Stereo 60 Box (2004-2007) SACD ISO

SACD / DSD By admin · July 22, 2018 · Comments off

This 60 disc box set contains 60 original ‘Living Stereo’ recordings. This is the first time a comprehensive collection of these iconic recordings has been created. Each album comes complete with its original LP artwork. An extensive booklet is included with the liner notes from each original album. Includes recordings by such great artists as Jascha Heifetz, Charles Munch, Fritz Reiner, Julian Bream, Leontyne Price and Arthur Rubinstein. Sony. 2012.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Stereo-60-Collection-Box/dp/B003UCPEJ2

CD List

1. Various Living Stereo Sampler (Missing)
2. MUNCH, CHARLES/Saint-Sans: Symphony No. 3; Debussy: La Mer; Ibert: Escales
3. MUNCH, CHARLES/Ravel: Daphnis et Chlo
4. REINER, FRITZ/ Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Ein Heldenleben
5. REINER, FRITZ/Bartk: Concerto for Orchestra;Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta; Hungarian Sketches
6. HEIFETZ, JASCHA /Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
7. CLIBURN, VAN /Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
8. FIEDLER, ARTHUR/Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; Concerto in F; An American in Paris; Variations..
9. REINER, FRITZ /Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
10. PRICE, LEONTYNE/Leontyne Price: Arias
11. RUBINSTEIN, ARTHUR Chopin: Ballades & Scherzos
12. MONTEUX, PIERRE/Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 Pathtique
13. GOULD, MORTON/Brass & Percussion
14. HEIFETZ, JASCHA/Sibelius, Prokofiev, Glazunov: Violin Concertos
15. MUNCH, CHARLES/Berlioz: Requiem 2CD
16. MUNCH, CHARLES/Berlioz: Requiem 2CD
17. MUNCH, CHARLES/Ravel: Bolro; La Valse; Rapsodie espagnole; Debussy: Images for Orchestra
18. PIATIGORSKY, GREGOR/Dvork; Walton: Cello Concertos
19. REINER, FRITZ/ Dvork: New World Symphony
20. REINER, FRITZ/Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
21. RUBINSTEIN, ARTHUR /Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
22. FIEDLER, ARTHUR/ Offenbach: Gat parisienne
23. CLIBURN, VAN/Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
24. FIEDLER, ARTHUR/Hi-Fi Fiedler
25. HEIFETZ, JASCHA/Brahms; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos
26. MONTEUX, PIERRE/Franck:Symphony in D Minor;Stravinsky: Petrouchka
27. MUNCH, CHARLES/Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6
28. MUNCH, CHARLES/Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Love Scene From Romeo & Juliet
29. REINER, FRITZ/Strauss: Scenes from Elektra & Salome
30. REINER, FRITZ/ Mahler: Symphony No. 4
31. RUBINSTEIN, ARTHUR Chopin: Piano Concertos
32. STOKOWSKI, LEOPOLD/ Rhapsodies
33. GOULD, MORTON/Copland: Billy The Kid & Rodeo; Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite
34. MOFFO, ANNA/Arias from Faust; La Bohme; Dinorah; Carmen; Turandot; Semiramide; Lakm
35. REINER, FRITZ/ Respighi: Pines Of Rome; Fountains Of Rome & Debussy: La Mer
36. REINER, FRITZ/Vienna
37. MUNCH, CHARLES/Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5; Octet: Scherzo
38. FIEDLER, ARTHUR/Pops Caviar
39. RUBINSTEIN, ARTHUR/Beethoven: Sonatas (Moonlight; Les Adieux; Pathetique; Appassionata)
40. HEIFETZ, JASCHA/Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1; Scottish Fantasy & Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 5
41. LANZA, MARIO Mario! Lanza At His Best; Vagabond King Highlights
42. FOX, VIRGIL/ Encores
43. LEINSDORF, ERICH/Puccini: La Bohme 2CD
44. LEINSDORF, ERICH/Puccini: La Bohme 2CD
45. LEINSDORF, ERICH/Puccini: Madama Butterfly
46. LEINSDORF, ERICH/Puccini: Madama Butterfly
47. MOFFO, ANNA/Verdi: La Traviata 2CD
48. MOFFO, ANNA/Verdi: La Traviata 2CD
49. BJORLING, JUSSI/Puccini: Turandot 2CD
50. BJORLING, JUSSI/Puccini: Turandot 2CD
51. MUNCH, CHARLES/Schubert: Symphonies “The Great” & “Unfinished”
52. REINER, FRITZ/ Strauss: Don Quixote & Don Juan
53. HEIFETZ, JASCHA /Bach: Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor
54. BREAM, JULIAN/Popular Classics for Spanish Guitar
55. PRICE, LEONTYNE/Albeniz: Navarra, Iberia; Falla: El amor
56. RUBINSTEIN, ARTHUR/Saint-Saens: Piano Concerto No. 2; Franck: Symphonic Variations;
57. MUNCH, CHARLES/Berlioz: Harold In Italy; The Roman Carnival Overture; Benvenuto Cellini Overture
58. REINER, FRITZ/Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde
59. REINER, FRITZ/Strauss: Symphonia Domestica; Suite From Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
60. CLIBURN, VAN/Schumann: Piano Concerto In A minor; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 “Emperor”

(more…)

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – Johann Sebastian Bach – Oboenwerke, vol.2 (2003) [SACD to FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz]

SACD / DSD By admin · July 12, 2018 · Comments off

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – Johann Sebastian Bach – Oboenwerke, vol.2 (2003)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 01:09:09 minutes | 1,24 GB | Genre: Classical
Source: SACD ISO | @ Caro MitisItem Number: CM 0032003
Recorded: 23-27.09.2003 5th Studio of The Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (RTR) Moscow, Russia

Why, judging by the survived music scores, different bodies of musicians were allowed for performing many works by composers of the Baroque epoch? What are the rules according to which the baroque instrumental ensembles were being formed? How to be about modern transcriptions of the ancient compositions? There is the only way to answer these questions, that is — to comprehend the special features of the baroque music, its key categories. The notion of trio widespread in that epoch deserves special attention here.
The baroque trio is a much wider category than trio in classical or romantic music since it indicates not the number of performers but the number and correlation of the musical tissue’s fibres: two expressive melodic voices are based on harmonic foundation of the figured bass (continuo part usually performed by one, two or three musicians). Such trio mode of musical thinking was as customary and natural for baroque composers as melodies to the accompaniment — for musicians of the next epoch. Thanks to the universal principles of the trio boundaries between the genres of the baroque instrumental music are transparent: one triple-voiced basis may be realized by varied bodies of performers.

(more…)

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – Oboenkonzerte & Sonaten (2005) [SACD to FLAC Stereo 24bit/88,2kHz]

SACD / DSD By admin · July 12, 2018 · Comments off

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – Oboenkonzerte & Sonaten (2005)
FLAC (tracks) Stereo 24-bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 01:02:18 minutes | 1,12 GB | Genre: Classical
Source: SACD ISO | Item Number: CM 0112004 | Digital Booklet | © Caro Mitis
Recorded: 22–24.08.2004 “Manege” Hall of The Moscow Theatre “School of Dramatic Art”

When, at the end of the 18th century in Germany, they talked of the “great Bach”, it was usually not Johann Sebastian they had in mind, who was admired at the time by just a few connoisseurs, but his second son, Carl Philipp Emanuel in whose powerful talent Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven delighted and whose influence extended even to the early romantics: Weber, Hoffmann, Mendelssohn. (more…)

Richard Wagner – Das Rheingold – RSO Berlin, Marek Janowski (2012) 2x SACD ISO

SACD / DSD By admin · April 27, 2018 · Comments off

Richard Wagner – Das Rheingold WWV 86a
Tomasz Konieczny / Christian Elsner / Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin / Marek Janowski
2xSACD ISO (2.0/MCH): 6,49 GB | Full Artwork
Label/Cat#: Pentatone # PTC 5186 406 | Country/Year: Netherlands 2012
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Opera

PentaTone’s epic project, to record the ten mature Wagner operas in concert performances conducted by Marek Janowski, has now been completed. The six operas already issued have garnered wide critical acclaim, and Wagnerians eagerly awaiting the release on SACD of the four operas that comprise ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’ are unlikely to be disappointed by this first instalment of the cycle – ‘Das Rheingold’.

(more…)

Lavinia Meijer – Fantasies and Impromptus (2011) [DSF Stereo DSD64/2.82MHz]

SACD / DSD By admin · March 29, 2018 · Comments off

What prompts a composer to write fantasies and impromptus? And what do the fantasy, a free form, and the impromptu, originally an improvised poem, have in common? We know that Spohr was inspired by a young harpist who was later to become his wife. But did Fauré, as director of the Paris Conservatory, simply have no option than to write, because a compulsory solo piece was required for the harp class examinations? Was the marine officer Roussel influenced by his travels to distant shores? And were the fantasias by Saint-Saëns inspired by his great love of the Arab world? We can sometimes only guess. What we do know is that the harp has always appealed to the imagination, and that both fantasies and impromptus have inspired many composers to give free rein to their creative powers. (…) –Lavinia Meijer ( from liner notes)

(more…)

Will & Rainbow – Over Crystal Green (2002) [Japan] {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · March 22, 2018 · Comments off

In 1976, a fusion band called Rainbow featuring pianist Will Boulware recorded an album entitled “Crystal Green”, which included saxophonist Michael Brecker, trumpeter Randy Brecker, and drummer Steve Gadd. In 2002, Boulware, the Brecker brothers and Gadd-along with the late saxophonist Bob Berg and bassist Will Lee-reconvened in a New York studio to record “Over Crystal Green” under the group name Will & Rainbow. The album proves that the intervening years have clearly not diminished their rapport. (more…)

Weather Report – Heavy Weather (1977) [Audio Fidelity 2017] {PS3 ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · March 22, 2018 · Comments off

Weather Report were a jazz supergroup formed in 1970, best known outside the jazz world for their hit “Birdland”. Heavy Weather is Weather Report’s 7th album, released in 1977 through Columbia Records. It is the band’s 2nd album with bassist Jaco Pastorius. On Black Market, Pastorius played on 2 of the 7 tracks, but here he is a full member of the band. It is on the short list of LP’s considered to be the greatest of all Jazz-Fusion recordings. (more…)

Wayne Horvitz – Sweeter Than The Day (2001) {SACD ISO + FLAC}

SACD / DSD By admin · March 22, 2018 · Comments off

The debut album from Wayne Horvitz’s sideline acoustic project Sweeter Than The Day expresses the reflective side of pianist Horvitz’s temperament: bittersweet, melodically distinctive chamber jazz, an evocative combination of swing, bop, blues, West Coast cool and the occasional edge of free jazz, with echoes of French impressionism and other classical piano music and popular music of the 1950s and 1960s. (more…)