Category: SACD

SACD

Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy (1977) [Japanese Reissue 2001] [SACD / SME Records – SRGS 4577]

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Al Di Meola - Elegant Gypsy (1977) [Japanese Reissue 2001]

Title: Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy (1977) [Japanese Reissue 2001]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Guitarist Al di Meola’s second record as a leader is generally an explosive affair, although it does have a fair amount of variety. With Jan Hammer or Barry Miles on keyboards, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Lenny White (Steve Gadd takes his place on the “Elegant Gypsy Suite”), and percussionist Mingo Lewis on most of the selections, di Meola shows off his speedy and rock-ish fusion style. He was still a member of Return to Forever at the time and was a stronger guitarist than composer, but di Meola did put a lot of thought into this music. The brief “Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil” (an acoustic guitar solo) and “Mediterranean Sundance” (an acoustic duet with fellow guitarist Paco de Lucía) hints at di Meola’s future directions. A near classic in the fusion vein.

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SACD

Al Di Meola – Consequence Of Chaos (2006) [SACD / Telarc – SACD-63649]

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Al Di Meola - Consequence Of Chaos (2006)

Title: Al Di Meola – Consequence Of Chaos (2006)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Al Di Meola’s Consequence of Chaos marks a partial return to his solid-body electric guitar, but it’s not as intense as his landmark early jazz fusion albums. The album blends electric guitar with world music influences, featuring collaborations with Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, and Barry Miles. Di Meola’s distinctive style unifies diverse approaches, from prog to acoustic to electric, with a classy, authoritative touch. Tracks like “Tao” are complex yet accessible, avoiding predictability or pretension. His restrained yet precise Latin-infused guitar solos balance intensity and subtlety, driving the album’s success. Four brief solo interludes, with Di Meola playing all instruments, contrast the busier ensemble tracks. Percussionists Ernie Adams and Gumbi Ortiz shine, especially on the subtle “Hypnose.” Corea’s appearances on two tracks, including the acoustic duet “Cry for You,” are standout moments. The nine-minute “Tempest,” Di Meola’s most complex composition, showcases his virtuosic skill across shifting moods and rhythms. After 30 years, Consequence of Chaos proves Di Meola remains at the peak of his artistry.

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SACD

Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan – In Session (1999) [Reissue 2003] [SACD / Stax – SXSA-7501-6]

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Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session (1999) [Reissue 2003]

Title: Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan – In Session (1999) [Reissue 2003]
Genre: Blues
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Recorded in December 1983, In Session captures a live jam between blues legends Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan, fresh off his debut Texas Flood and work on David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, was the year’s breakout guitarist. King, backed by a world-class band, was at the peak of his performance powers. The concert, filmed for a Canadian TV special, delivers fiery, exciting blues. Vaughan, heavily influenced by King, incorporates his idol’s licks but avoids turning the session into a competition. Instead, both guitarists inspire each other to greater heights, creating a dynamic interplay. King’s distinctive style, a cornerstone of Vaughan’s playing, blends with Vaughan’s Hendrix-inspired flourishes. The mutual respect between the two results in a collaborative, not confrontational, performance. King’s powerful vocals add depth, making the album essential for blues fans. Enhanced by Super Audio CD sound, In Session remains thrilling with every listen.

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SACD

Albert King – I’ll Play the Blues For You (1972) [Reissue 2004] [SACD / Stax – SXSA-3009-6]

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Albert King - I’ll Play the Blues For You (1972) [Reissue 2004]

Title: Albert King – I’ll Play the Blues For You (1972) [Reissue 2004]
Genre: Funk, Soul, Blues
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Albert King’s I’ll Play the Blues for You is a phenomenal blues album from his classic Stax Records era. Signed to Stax in 1966, King gained a larger audience as the label attracted rock fans. His earlier Stax hits included “Crosscut Saw,” “Laundromat Blues,” and Born Under a Bad Sign with Booker T. & the MG’s. For this 1972 album, King collaborated with members of the Bar-Kays, the Isaac Hayes Movement, and the Memphis Horns. The result is a tight, funk-infused blues sound that showcases King’s renowned guitar work. King’s strength lies in his soloing rather than his vocals, which sometimes lack intensity here. Tracks like the title song and “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” exceed seven minutes, highlighting his expressive guitar. “I’ll Be Doggone” and “Don’t Burn Down the Bridge” feature extended, dynamic performances. Bassist James Alexander’s strutting lines anchor King’s tough yet soulful playing. I’ll Play the Blues for You stands among King’s finest Stax recordings.

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SACD

Alban Berg Quartet – Haydn: Emperor / Mozart: Hunt (1994) [Japan 2014] [SACD / Esoteric Company – ESSW-90101]

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Alban Berg Quartet - Haydn: Emperor / Mozart: Hunt (1994) [Japan 2014]

Title: Alban Berg Quartet – Haydn: Emperor / Mozart: Hunt (1994) [Japan 2014]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The Alban Berg Quartet was founded in 1971 and within a decade was established as one of the finest string quartets in the world. It was known for its large recorded sets of the complete quartets of many masters of the genre. The members of the quartet – which included violinists Günter Pichler, Gerhard Schulz, Kakuska, and cellist Valentin Erben, of whom Pichler, Schulz and Erben were founding members – were all faculty members of the Wiener Hochschule für Musik and also taught master classes on German chamber music regularly at the Musikhochschule in Cologne. The group won 30 major international recording awards, representing virtually every top prize of note.

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SACD

Alban Berg Quartet – Beethoven: The ‘Middle Period’ String Quartets [2 SACDs] (1978-1979/2022) [SACD / Tower Records Definition Serie – TDSA-191/2]

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Alban Berg Quartet - Beethoven: The 'Middle Period' String Quartets [2 SACDs] (1978-1979/2022)

Title: Alban Berg Quartet – Beethoven: The ‘Middle Period’ String Quartets [2 SACDs] (1978-1979/2022)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

The Alban Berg Quartet’s mid-period Beethoven string quartets, originally recorded for EMI, are now available on SACD for the first time globally. This monumental analog recording from 1978–83 solidified the quartet’s worldwide fame. Digitized at 192kHz/24bit from Japan’s original analog master tapes, it offers superior sound quality. The SACD includes separate mastering for SACD and CD layers, along with new commentary and translations. Part of the quartet’s acclaimed complete Beethoven string quartets, this set won the 1985 Record Academy Award in Japan. The mid-period quartets, the only analog portion of the complete works, showcase exceptional musical cohesion and technical excellence. The SACD captures intricate details, like the musicians’ breath and the music’s emergence, with unprecedented clarity. Analog recordings are prioritized in this project for their ability to maximize master tape potential. The well-preserved analog tapes enhance the listening experience, surpassing previous CD releases. This permanent preservation disc reaffirms the recording’s historic impact and enduring greatness.

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SACD

Air Supply – The Definitive Collection (1999) [Reissue 2003] [SACD / Sony Music – 82876516852]

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Air Supply - The Definitive Collection (1999) [Reissue 2003]

Title: Air Supply – The Definitive Collection (1999) [Reissue 2003]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The Definitive Collection more than lives up to its title’s promise, delivering 18 tracks, including all of Air Supply’s Top 40 singles — “Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World,” “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You),” “Sweet Dreams,” “Even the Nights Are Better,” “Young Love,” “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” “Just as I Am” — plus the original Australian version of “Lost in Love.” A pair of latter-day singles that didn’t make the Top 40 are missing, but they’re not missed, since what is here is prime Air Supply — the best songs they ever recorded. Granted, it won’t convince any doubters, but this is the ideal collection for both dedicated and casual fans, while being perhaps the most listenable item in their catalog.

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SACD

Akta Spelman – Swedish Fiddle Music (2002) [SACD / Artegra – ART3001]

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Akta Spelman - Swedish Fiddle Music (2002)

Title: Akta Spelman – Swedish Fiddle Music (2002)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Äkta, meaning “genuine” in Swedish, is a Minnesota-based fiddle ensemble dedicated to traditional Swedish music. The group consists of three folk fiddlers, a guitarist, and a bassist, all young Americans. They rejected traditional costumes for their album cover, emphasizing their modern identity. They learned Swedish music traditionally, playing at weekly gatherings. Äkta has performed at the National Folk Festival in Michigan. The album features 17 short tracks, mostly polkas, with a march and two waltzes. Their musical skill shines through in a clear, immersive multichannel recording. However, the similar tunes, rhythms, and keys may feel repetitive to non-Swedish or casual listeners.

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SACD

Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit – Poeme (2004) [SACD / Philips – 475 6189]

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Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit - Poeme (2004)

Title: Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit – Poeme (2004)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Award-winning violinist Akiko Suwanai is backed by the City of Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit for this recording of compositional works by Saint-Saëns, Lalo, Chausson, Kreisler, Berlioz, and Ravel. This music here is a collection of pieces that fall just short of “major” concertos (more like encore pieces) though Akiko Suwanai does them full justice!!!! Particularly, the Saint-Saens “Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso” and Ravel’s “Tzigane” are top notch. Ms. Suwanai plays with a great deal of warmth, personality, and maturity that allows her Strad to really sing! The recording is top notch, with the violin a bit forward and the orchestra back a ways.

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