SACD

Eugene Ruffolo – Even Santa Gets The Blues (2009) [SACD / Stockfisch Records – SFR 357.4066.2]

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Eugene Ruffolo - Even Santa Gets The Blues (2009)

Title: Eugene Ruffolo – Even Santa Gets The Blues (2009)
Genre: Christmas, Folk, Pop
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

One thing is for sure – Christmas is not just one celebration among others, Christmas is THE ONE celebration of the year. There is no chance to escape … a fact known to many a good musician. Christmas albums – they’ve all done it. Facing this situation, you better bring a lot of sweet ingredients in order to create a completely new and completely different Christmas cake – especially one from Stockfisch. Some stalwarts of Stockfisch records to this noble end have gathered around Eugene Ruffolo; white beards and scarlet coats they wear – but watch out for their guitars! And finally they achieved the impossible task of creating a Christmas recording sounding like no other.

Swingle Bells – there ain’t no bells sounding sweeter. If you are a nonbeliever, then go and listen to Stille Nacht as guitar instrumental or a Christmas blues. And very well that Chris Jones is not forgotten, still playing on on these recordings, a plan which goes back for years in Stockfisch history. Tradition and the courage of creative innovators – that’s Stockfisch’s gift to music lovers – given as a trademark professionally and at this Christmas time given from the heart. Christmas may be Christmas every year, it comes alive forever new and warms the heart – this is what music does, and certainly music like this.

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SACD

Eugene Pao – This Window (1999) [SACD / SME Records – SRGS4508]

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Eugene Pao - This Window (1999)

Title: Eugene Pao – This Window (1999)
Genre: Blues, Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Eugene Pao is Hong Kong’s most publicly recognized jazz musician and his name is synonymous with jazz in the city. Such reputation cannot be more deserving as Eugene has been at the vanguard of promoting jazz in the territory through his performances and recordings over the last twenty plus years. In 1999, Eugene released This Window another outstanding album, record on which he penned half of the tunes, with the support of Jack DeJohnette, bassist Marc Johnson and pianist Joey Calderazzo.

Hong Kong first discovered its own guitar hero in the mid 1980’s when Eugene returned from studies in the U.S. and began playing around town. Recognition came early from leading international jazz musicians. Some of his early recordings featured such legends as bassist Eddie Gomez, blues great Jimmy Witherspoon and saxophonist Michael Brecker. He went to the U.S. to make his first solo album in 1996 called By The Company You Keep with a stellar cast of Jazz greats, drummer Jack DeJonette bassist John Patitucci and Michael Brecker again on saxophone. In 1999, Eugene released This Window another outstanding album record in the U.S., on which he penned half of the tunes, with the support of Jack DeJohnette, bassist Marc Johnson and pianist Joey Calderazzo. In 2001, Eugene traveled to Europe and recorded a set of beautiful, lyrical standards with the Mads Vinding Trio from Denmark called Pao. In 2004 he released Naked Time, a fiery 1994 recording with Brecker, James Genus, Dan Gottlieb, Jeff Andrews, Manolo Badrena and compatriot Ted Lo. Getting the old music out to his appreciative following left him free to focus on the future. In 2005, Eugene Pao Project was released, a multi-media DVD concept filmed without an audience at Hong Kong’s Academy For The Performing Arts, featuring top Asian musicians and mixed in 5.1 surround sound. In 2006, Eugene was invited to form the Asian Super Guitar Project with two other guitarists, Kazumi Watanabe from Japan and Jack Lee from Korea, a guitar trio unique in its genre gathering and mixing differences of cultures, influences, politics and religion from three Asian countries, Japan, China and Korea. They got together in the summer of 2006 and made a record entitled Guitar Sam Guk Ji and toured around Asia throughout 2007. Early 2008 Eugene was invited by The Hong Kong Trade & Economic Office to perform on a 9 city European tour to promote Hong Kong as their jazz ambassador. In 2009 They invite him back again to perform in London. In 2010 He joined the Asian All Stars Power Jazz Quartet with 3 other top jazz musicians from Asia. They released a live CD in 2011 and have toured all over Asia. In 2012 the Asian all Stars Power Quartet was invited to perform at the prestigious London Jazz Festival and received a great review from allaboutjazz.com. Jazz greats with whom he has performed on stage over the years include Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Terumasa Hino, Freddie Hubbard, Bob Berg , Jackie McClean, Joe Pass, Ulf Wakenius, Ernie Watts, Martin Taylor, James Moody, Bill Bruford, Jeff Berlin, Stu Hamm, Bobby McFerrin, Russell Ferrante, Eric Marienthal, Richard Galiano and many more. Over the last two decades, Eugene Pao has truly established himself as Hong Kong’s premier jazz guitarist. He continues to travel the world for performances at international jazz festivals, concert halls and jazz clubs, and to take part in select recording projects. As a composer, He had contributed to countless TV commercials, and his film soundtracks have been nominated for best original score at the HK Film Awards. Recently Esquire Magazine featured him on the cover as one of the 20 most influential men on their 20th Anniversary Issue.

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SACD

Eugen Jochum, London Philharmonic Orchestra – Brahms: The Four Symphonies & 2 Overtures (1977/2017) [SACD / Tower Records – TDSA-49/51]

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Eugen Jochum, London Philharmonic Orchestra - Brahms: The Four Symphonies & 2 Overtures (1977/2017)

Title: Eugen Jochum, London Philharmonic Orchestra – Brahms: The Four Symphonies & 2 Overtures (1977/2017)
Genre: Classical
Format: DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Eugen Jochum made two complete recordings of the symphonies of Johannes Brahms, one with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in the mid-1950s, the other with the London Philharmonic in 1976. On the strengths of these sets, the conductor Kenneth Woods called him “the greatest Brahms conductor who ever lived”. These Jochum performances of Brahms’ 4 symphonies, together with the Academic Festival & Tragic overtures, are vintage 1970s Kingsway Hall recordings. Eugen Jochum, steeped in the Germanic tradition, knows exactly how he wants these symphonies to sound & the London Philharmonic Orchestra rise to the occasion with playing they have probably never bettered, with producer Christopher Bishop giving them a sound to match.

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SACD

Eugen Jochum, German Opera Orchestra & Chorus – Carl Orff: Carmina Burana (1968) [Japan 2019] [SACD / Esoteric Company – ESSG-90206]

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Eugen Jochum, German Opera Orchestra & Chorus - Carl Orff: Carmina Burana (1968) [Japan 2019]

Title: Eugen Jochum, German Opera Orchestra & Chorus – Carl Orff: Carmina Burana (1968) [Japan 2019]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Jochum’s version of Carmina Burata leaves the rest behind. Jochum’s baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in particular is the best baritone soloist for this work. The soprano, Gundula Janowitz, finds a quiet dignity for her contribution and this is finely done. The chorus are best when the music blazes, and the closing scene is moulded by Jochum with a wonderful control, almost Klemperian in its restrained power. The sound might be mid 1960’s DG analogue but the performance leaves the rest way behind. Jochum’s version was recorded in the presence of Carl Orff and is authorised by Carl Orff.
Since its original release, Jochum’s performance has consistently been a prime recommendation for this much-recorded piece. Listening to it again in the superbly remastered sound, one can easily hear why. He pays great attention to detail – particularly with regard to tempo and articulation – yet the performance as a whole has a tremendous cogent sweep and the choruses have terrific power. The more reflective sections are not neglected, however, and movements such as ”Stetit Puella”, with Janowitz sounding alluring and fey, have surely never been more sensitively handled. Stolze is ideal as the roasted swan and Fischer-Dieskau encompasses the very varied requirements of the baritone’s music with ease. In spite of the presence of more than 30 rivals in the catalogue, this distinguished performance, authorized by the composer and now sounding better than ever, easily retains its place at the head of the queue.

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SACD

Etta Cameron and Nikolaj Hess with Friends – Etta (2009) [SACD / Master Music – MKSA 609172]

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Etta Cameron and Nikolaj Hess with Friends - Etta (2009)

Title: Etta Cameron and Nikolaj Hess with Friends – Etta (2009)
Genre: Jazz
Format: DSF DSD64

Etta Cameron is best known as a gospel vocalist with a conta- gious enthusiasm, which can distill the ardor in any choir and lead them to rock even the smallest country church. When on the panel of one of TV’s many talent contests, lovable Etta always gives top score to anybody exhibiting the smallest ink- ling of talent. But more than anything else, Etta represents Black music. Through a long career she has infused soul, gospel, blues and jazz tunes with her personal touch and richly dark, beautiful voice. All this experience helps shape her interpretation of this impressive string of jazz pearls.
Etta Cameron and Nikolaj Hess have worked closely together for 20 years. Nikolaj has accompanied Etta at countless venues – small and large – with large orchestras, trios and quartets, or alone behind the piano. Their mainstay is gospel, but when the chance arises, they love playing a few jazz ballads. Often, they have rehearsed on the backseat of the car en route from one gig to the next, and that is also exactly how this album was born. Nikolaj and Etta have often discussed recording a selection of especially beautiful tunes with the best possible line‐up. And so it came to be: Bassist Klavs Hovman and saxophonist Jens Søndergaard ‐ both regulars in Etta’s bands for years – were ready. Marilyn Mazur and Palle Mikkelborg were equally ent- husiastic. And so Nikolaj started arranging for this particu- lar line‐up. In May 2009, Etta and the musicians were ready to visit Copenhagen’s Sun Studios and bring out the magic in tunes like “What a Wonderful World”, “Smile”, “Careless Love” and many others. The legendary sound wizard Bjarne Hansen engineered the session. And the magic is unquestionable on this new CD, when the youthful vocalist with many years of experience behind her puts all her interpretive powers on the line. The production gives us a close‐up on Etta and her wonderful voice, as she invites us under the skin of the tunes and breathes a vibrant proximity into the lyrics. You will be astounded at the almost minimalistic framework, which enables Etta and a handful of Denmark’s leading musicians to strip each song to the bone. Vocalists may compete for attention, but nothing beats experi- ence, and when combined with breathtaking honesty, a subli- me listening experience is right around the corner ‐ as on this CD featuring a genuine diva.

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SACD

Esbjorn Svensson Trio – Tuesday Wonderland (2006) [SACD / ACT – ACT SACD 9806-2 Format:]

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Esbjorn Svensson Trio - Tuesday Wonderland (2006)

Title: Esbjorn Svensson Trio – Tuesday Wonderland (2006)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Currently one of Europe’s leading forces in the jazz world, e.s.t. (Esbj”rn Svensson Trio) brings their unique and unmistakable sound stateside with the release of their new album, Tuesday Wonderland. This album is an eclectic mix of classical, melodic jazz and electronics with the feel of an energetic pop/rock show, making it a must-have for all music lovers. The album been released in Europe on September 2006, and was nominated in in the Best Jazz Album category.
E.S.T. like to play with expectations, and they begin Tuesday Wonderland as you might assume, with a spare solo piano line hinting at a delicate baroque counterpoint. It’s the kind of feather-stroked chamber jazz they’ve been working for a few years now. But just as you settle in, crushing drums and fuzzed arco bass drop in a groove from the apocalypse. This ominous track, “Fading Maid Preludium,” and its second half, “Fading Maid Postludium,” frame Tuesday Wonderland, setting in bas-relief an album of careening, intuitive improvisation. E.S.T. are frighteningly varied in their technique and deep in their understanding of jazz lore. You can hear echoes of Keith Jarrett and Ahmad Jamal in pianist Esbjörn Svensson, from whom the trio take their name, but he also embraces a more modern vocabulary, hinting at Cecil Taylor while dancing gospel vamps and dropping rock power-chords. Drummer Magnus Öström can lay down the shuffling brush strokes of “The Goldhearted Miner,” pour out a progressive rock fusillade, or do a ballet of polyrhythmic shadings and colors that recall the late Steve McCall. The real chameleon of the group is bassist Dan Berglund. He plays soulful, muscular double bass lines, but he also triggers a synthesizer for both subtle shading and the hellion roar heard on that opening track. E.S.T. remain a group exploring the edges of jazz improvisation, managing to be free and intuitive while also maintaining melodic and rhythmic touchstones. Tracks like “Brewery of Beggars” are multipart journeys shifting from gentle lyricism to electric storms. E.S.T. have evolved from being the most ECM-like band that wasn’t on ECM into their own natural and thoroughly modern hybrid.

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SACD

Various Artists – Impulse! 6 Great Jazz – Super Audio CD Jazz Collection (2015) [SACD / Esoteric Company – ESSI-90133/8]

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Various Artists - Impulse! 6 Great Jazz - Super Audio CD Jazz Collection (2015)

Title: Various Artists – Impulse! 6 Great Jazz – Super Audio CD Jazz Collection (2015)
Genre: Jazz
Format: DSF DSD64

Jazz Masterpiece Collection :: ESOTERIC proudly introduces a new series of re-master collcection – A great Jazz collection from impulse! label. The reissue of historical music masterpieces by ESOTERIC has attracted a lot of attention, both for its uncompromising commitment to recreating the original master sound, and for using hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD) technology to improve sound quality. These new audio versions feature ESOTERIC’s proprietary re-mastering process to achieve the highest level of sound quality. ESOTERIC equipment used for re-mastering :: The criterion of re-mastering is to faithfully capture the quality of the original master. ESOTERIC′s flag ship D/A converters, model D-01VU, Rubidium master clock generator model G-0Rb and ESOTERIC MEXCEL interconnect cables and power cords, were all used for this re-mastering session. This combination of highly advanced technology greatly contributed to capturing the high quality sound of the original master. Experience by yourself… :: Experience the legendary performance in this new Super Audio CD/CD format. Not only for new followers, but also for well experienced followers of these recorded materials. All will be equally impressed by the “soul” hidden within the notes, but never before found in previously released recordings in any format.

 

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