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SACD

Grover Washington, Jr. – Winelight (1980) [Audio Fidelity 2015] [SACD / Audio Fidelity – AFZ5 203]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 32 Views

Title: Grover Washington, Jr. – Winelight (1980) [Audio Fidelity 2015]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Grover Washington, Jr., has long been one of the leaders in what could be called rhythm & jazz, essentially R&B-influenced jazz. Winelight is one of his finest albums, and not primarily because of the Bill Withers hit “Just the Two of Us.” It is the five instrumentals that find Washington (on soprano, alto, and tenor) really stretching out. If he had been only interested in sales, Washington’s solos could have been half as long and he would have stuck closely to the melody. Instead he really pushes himself on some of these selections, particularly the title cut. A memorable set of high-quality and danceable soul-jazz.

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1 min read

SACD

Grover Washington, Jr. – Prime Cuts: The Columbia Years 1987-1999 (1999) [Japanese Reissue 2001] [SACD / SME Records – SRGS 4572]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 29 Views

Title: Grover Washington, Jr. – Prime Cuts: The Columbia Years 1987-1999 (1999) [Japanese Reissue 2001]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Grover Washington, Jr.’s fatal 1999 heart attack cut a successful 30-year recording career tragically short. Washington’s legacy was his ability to combine jazz and pop by tracing their common roots in R&B and soul music. He found fans among the younger wave of jazz listeners, who were attracted to the sounds of what became known as “smooth jazz.”

Washington’s jazzier side is highlighted on this retrospective, in addition to his smooth jazz inclinations. Standout tracks include a big band version of “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” as well as a version of Ron Carter’s “Blues for DP,” where he proves he’s an effective and skilled jazz saxophonist; his soprano solo is wonderfully constructed. A thought-provoking and varied set of music, PRIME CUTS is a good introduction to Washington’s music, as well as an endearing farewell to the father of what could be termed “rhythm & jazz”.

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1 min read

SACD

Groove Armada – Vertigo (1999) [Reissue 2002] [SACD / Pepper Records – 9230678]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 31 Views

Title: Groove Armada – Vertigo (1999) [Reissue 2002]
Genre: Electronic, Dance
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Groove Armada’s second album finds the pair expanding on the sonic range of 1998’s Northern Star, spreading out to Franco-electronic pop (“Dusk, You and Me”), big-beat techno (“If Everybody Looked the Same”), and laid-back funk grooves (the masterpiece titled “At the River”). Though it often seems they’re throwing change-ups more to show listeners what they can do, Vertigo achieves the effortless grace of a varied repertoire.

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1 min read

SACD

Groove Armada – Lovebox (2002) [SACD / Pepper Records – 9230668]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 32 Views

Title: Groove Armada – Lovebox (2002)
Genre: Electronic, Dance
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Though Groove Armada’s Andy Cato and Tom Findlay have been justly praised for their production talents, the duo’s fourth album, Lovebox, takes them much too far down the path of production gloss, right on into the field of bland MOR electronica. It’s a staler, tradder version of 2001’s Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub), which was pretty middle-of-the-road on its own. The opener, “Purple Haze,” features Nappy Roots backed by a restrained guitar grind, but the pair can’t summon the righteous production skills that made “Suntoucher” (with Jeru the Damaja) the highlight of their previous record. Even Neneh Cherry sounds average and maudlin when she’s shoved into the Groove Armada grinder, while Richie Havens (making a repeat appearance) contributes yet another deeply felt performance that resists making any kind of impression. “Final Shakedown” is downright derivative, ripping a page from the Basement Jaxx book, with a swinging, slapping house production and the ragga-tinged vocals of Red Rat. “Madder,” the only track on the album performed by a band, is also the only one that doesn’t sound calculated, riding a groove straight out of the Clash’s “Magnificent Seven” and with a solid sung-spoken rap by M.A.D. The only other track that works well is “Remember,” a gradually ascending epic with a sampled Sandy Denny vocal (lifted from Fairport Convention’s Unhalfbricking) echoed by the affirmations of the London Community Gospel Choir. Sapping their tracks of any energy or creativity, Groove Armada have only their production smarts to fall onto, and it’s simply not enough to distinguish the record.

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2 min read

SACD

Groove Armada – Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) (2001) [SACD / Pepper Records – 9230498]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 32 Views

Title: Groove Armada – Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) (2001)
Genre: Electronic, Dance
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Far more than just a sampladelic trip-hop group by their third full album jaunt, Groove Armada began solidifying its reputation as one of the most copacetic production acts in electronica, equally comfortable building grooves behind folkie Richie Havens, disco maverick Nile Rodgers, and underground rapper Jeru the Damaja (yes, all three make appearances). The pair kick it off in grand style, recruiting Jeru (one of the most underrated rappers in the hip-hop world) for “Suntoucher,” a breathtaking production that seeks the middle ground between a classy spy soundtrack and a classic rap track (straight out of DJ Premier’s playbook). The trailer single, “Superstylin’,” is another great track, a smooth, swift fusion of acid house and dub with the chatting of frequent collaborator Mike Daniels. Groove Armada isn’t just branching out from “juvenile” sampladelia to more “mature” band productions, the duo’s getting better at making music. Unfortunately, problems arise when the pair mature so far they soon reach the bland, ultra-smooth side of adult contemporary. The two features for Richie Havens (“Little By Little,” “My Friend”) are prime examples; the bright acoustic guitar and Havens’ wizened growl are the only “edgy” elements in the entire productions. “Lazy Moon” and “Fogma,” a pair of solid instrumentals, bring it back slightly, though Groove Armada would be served best by sinking back into the underground and not adjusting its sensibilities to its collaborators, no matter how respected they are.

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2 min read

SACD

Gunter Wand, NDR Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (2007) [5xSACD Box Set] [SACD / RCA Red Seal – BVCC-37473∼77]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 47 Views

Title: Gunter Wand, NDR Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (2007) [5xSACD Box Set]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

Released: March 21, 2007 Label: BMG Japan – RCA Red Seal – Esoteric – BVCC-37473-77 Genre: Classical Quality: 5xSACD (Image.iso) Total Time: 05:56:41 In cooperation with Esoteric Japan, BMG Japan (now Sony Music Japan) released under the label of RCA Red Seal Hybrid SACD box sets of Wand’s Bruckner Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9 on August 24, 2005 and Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 1 – 9 on March 21, 2007. The latter was for the 20th anniversary of Esoteric brand. Both box sets are limited editions and have been out of print for years, but the separate releases are still available in Japan. Disc 1 Symphonies Nos.1 & 3 Disc 2 Symphonies Nos.2 & 6 Disc 3 Symphonies Nos.4 & 5 Disc 4 Symphonies Nos.7 & 8 Disc 5 Symphony No.9 Individual cat#s: CD 1: BVCC-37473 CD 2: BVCC-37474 CD 3: BVCC-37475 CD 4: BVCC-37476 CD 5: BVCC-37477

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1 min read

SACD

Gloria Estefan – Alma Caribena (2000) [SACD / Epic – ES 62163]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 35 Views

Title: Gloria Estefan – Alma Caribena (2000)
Genre: Latin Pop
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Alma Caribeña (Caribbean Soul), Gloria Estefan’s third Spanish-language album, is another assured, varied effort in the tradition of its predecessors, Mi Tierra (1993) and Abriendo Puertas (1995), both of which were popular successes. The album is a virtual tour of the Caribbean Islands, not only presenting styles from the singer’s native Cuba but also from other Latin American countries. Much of the record has a traditional feel with acoustic instruments prominent, but that doesn’t prevent a wide range of rhythms and musical approaches from being used. Salsa, son, murga, bolero, bachata, and Afro-Cuban styles are mixed, sometimes several in one song. Estefan sings with assurance and is joined for one song each by Latin music forbears Celia Cruz and José Feliciano. Though the album is intensely rhythmic, there is little for the singer’s dance audience until the end, when a remix of the first single, “No Me Dejes de Querer (Don’t Stop Loving Me),” provides the requisite dancefloor entry.

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1 min read

SACD

Glenn Gould – Bach: The Goldberg Variations, 1955 Performance (2007) [SACD / Sony Classical – 88697033502]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 45 Views

Title: Glenn Gould – Bach: The Goldberg Variations, 1955 Performance (2007)
Genre: Classical
Format: DSF DSD64

Imagine sitting in Glenn Gould Studio and hearing Gould’s brilliant 1955 performance of the GOLDBERG VARIATIONS in person. This Zenph “re-performance” release features new recordings of that experience specifically designed for surround-sound, stereo or headphone listening. Zenph Studios has created a note-perfect re-performance of Glenn Gould’s iconic 1955 recording of Bach’s GOLDBERG VARIATIONS exactly as he played it more than 50 years ago, by combining mathematics, technology and musical artistry. This new recording sounds as fresh, vibrant and intelligent as it was the day Glenn Gould originally played it – with one enormous difference – it is no longer trapped in the monaural sound of 1955.

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SACD

Glenn Gould – J.S. Bach: The Six Partitas (2012) [SACD / Sony Classical – SICC 10166~7]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 34 Views

Title: Glenn Gould – J.S. Bach: The Six Partitas (2012)
Genre:
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This recording featuring Bach’s complete Partitas for keyboard are probably one of Glenn Gould’s most accessible and easy to digest interpretations, so it’s no surprise that Sony has chosen it for re-mastering on SA-CD. Canadian pianist Glenn Gould first became famous for his daring interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on his debut album with Columbia. Featuring unusual tempis for some of the variations, crystal clear playing, and a dazzling technical virtuosity (especially in the way he played some variations lightning fast), the overall performance made many people see the work with completely new eyes. Even jaded connoisseurs found fresh insights in a seemingly rigid and formal piece of music and a performance that seemed to go against convention for piano interpretations of Bach keyboard works.

Gould plays the piano more like a harpsichord, deliberately avoiding extreme dynamics and maintaining fairly strict rhythm. The result are melodies that soar in spite of the rigid performance, and the phrasing is so clear all the individual polyphonic parts come through with perfect clarity. The fast passages (particularly Third Movement (Presto) of the Italian Concerto are as breathtaking as ever, and Glenn’s annoying vocalisations (very prominent in some of his later albums) are kept to a minimum. The performance on SACD version seems to flow. Glenn Gould fans of course need no encouragement to buy on SACD, but it is an excellent introduction to Bach and also to the talent of Glenn Gould if you are unfamiliar with either. Exceptionally remastered hi-res sound! I bought this SACD to replace much earlier Columbia/CBS/Sony red book CDs, and this is worth every penny! I have already listened to it 6 times. Gould was arguably most at home with Bach and it shows here on this album, the remastering to SACD status is stunning. For Gould fans and Bach fanatics and especially both, this is a must to add to the collection

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2 min read

SACD

Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits (1992) [Reissue 2002] [SACD / Epic – EPC 472332 6]

adminJanuary 26, 2026 38 Views

Title: Gloria Estefan – Greatest Hits (1992) [Reissue 2002]
Genre: Latin Pop
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

In 1984, Gloria Estefan started off as the lead singer of Miami Sound Machine. By 1987, after scoring four big hits from their first major U.S. album, they became Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, and by 1989, after even bigger success, it was simply Gloria Estefan. This greatest-hits collection covers the years 1985 to 1992, featuring most of the pop confections that propelled her to the top of the charts and to international stardom. Among the hits included are her three number ones: “Anything for You,” “Coming Out of the Dark,” and “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” as well as other Top Ten hits including “Conga,” “Words Get in the Way,” “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “Can’t Stay Away from You,” “Here We Are,” and the single mix of “1-2-3.” There are a few glaring omissions, however. “Bad Boy,” her second Top Ten hit, was left off, and that is unfortunate because the hit version was a remix of the original album version and is extremely difficult to find on CD. Other omissions include “Dr. Beat,” “Falling in Love (Uh-Oh),” “Oye Mi Canto,” “Live for Loving You,” and “Can’t Forget You.” To round off the set are four new recordings, including the album’s first single, “Always Tomorrow,” the Jon Secada-penned “I See Your Smile,” the irresistible Latin-flavored dance track “Go Away,” and the semi-tepid holiday tune “Christmas Through Your Eyes.” This is a good collection from a great artist that could have been a great collection had they included all the hits.

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