Small Furry Animals - Love Kraft (2005)

Small Furry Animals - Love Kraft (2005), SACD

I have a few SFA's albums in my collection and was pleased to find Love Kraft available in hybrid SACD format. For those who don't know a lot about the "furry animals" I am not sure the best way to describe them but perhaps somewhere in the alternative-psychedelic rock camp me thinks........ Think Soundtrack of our lives meets Apollo Sunshine..meets Coldplay!
Musically you can hear elements of the Beatles and 60's West Coast psych-rock genres with a certain alternative quirkiness.
I love the variation in their music ......an eclectic mix for sure !
This disc offers regular red book cd, SACD and surround mix layers with the band directly involved in all mixes!
The song "atomik Lust" is a great tune and stands as the watermark for me on this album.

The SACD layer is clean , bright and warm with nice clarity of vocals and instruments...as is the redwood cd layer!

An excellent album and the SACD sound is excellent

Brother Jack McDuff - Down Home Style

Brother Jack McDuff - Down Home Style

   Funky-jazz........way better than the rancid looking dinner plate full of food!!!!!
  Brother jack is at it again with some get down funky jazz that will your toes tappin and your fingers a rappin!

Ella Fitzgerald - Like Someone In Love (1957)

Ella Fitzgerald - Like Someone In Love , 1957 Analogue Productions SACD

   

1957 was a very good year for Ella! She was really at the top of her game..and this album is a perfect reflection IMHO!
"like someone in love" is really just a collection of songs to fall in love to.......not unlike Nat's "love is the thing" or Sinatra's "only for lonely".....
Musically this album is a great collaboration of soft orchestra, warm sax , piano and the unmistakeable voice of dear Ella!
"what will I tell my heart" and the title track are simply "tear-your-heart-out" gorgeous ........really a great moment! Stan Getz plays the tenor sax as well on this album and adds some fantastic warmth throughout.
"Like someone in love" is another carefully mastered Verve Records jazz album from Analogue Productions who strived to deliver the best sound this album has ever received.

This album was mastered by George Martino who skillfully brought this long lost gem back to life in beautiful SACD! The album is well balanced and well mixed with definite clarity on Ella's voice and offers nice orchestra separation.

There are a few small imperfections with the master tapes but I guess that is expected considering it's age....but nothing that will get in your way of totally enjoying this thrilling album from start to finish. The one thing about SACD quality and re-working on vintage tapes can be the wear and tear of age and any flaws can be easily heard. I noticed a few dips and drops but again will only be noticed by those who really listen closely......but again I'll take these vs an altered remaster!!!

Overall a simply beautiful album given a whole new lease on life with this release.

Essential for Ella lovers.........and of course those who love...............

Steve Hackett - Spectral Mornings (1979)

Steve Hackett - Spectral Mornings , 1979

  Steve Hackett was of course a key member of Progressive rock band Genesis in the 70's who managed to release a string of great solo albums too.  Spectral Mornings is one of the best albums from Hackett's fine career IMHO.  

  "Everyday" was one of the anthem prog tunes I used to just go crazy for and still to this day is just one of those songs.

And of course Spectral Mornings,,,!!!

Bobby Hutcherson - Medina & Spiral

Bobby Hutcherson - Medina

  "Medina" & "Spiral" were 2 albums from jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson finally released as part of 1998's blue note connoisseur series.   It was originally released in 1980 on Blue Note Records not at the time it was recorded (1968) . This CD reissue adds five tracks also recorded in 1968, previously released on vinyl in 1979, under the title Spiral.
   Musically this album is a heavy mix of vibes and jazz modes with some outstanding passages and bits along the way.  I love the sound of the vibes and with the great musicianship this album almost takes on a space feel.......a very cool album that never gets too hairy for the listener...well at least not for me. 

Donald Byrd - Kofi (1969)

Donald Byrd - Kofi , 1969 Rare Groove Series 

  The 70's was a creative time for music and jazz started to change with the dawn of fusion. Miles was breaking new ground with "Bitches Brew" and Donald Byrd was doing the same as you can hear on Kofi! This is a superb album with some amazing musicianship and killer beats and grooves. In fact this is from Blue Notes' rare groove series ( which is one my personal favourites) so you just know that it must really groove baby! On "Kofi" Byrd is very concerned with sound and space.... Musically this is fusion era Hancock meets Miles Davis. I love the heavy use of the echoplexed, Herbie Hancock-like Fender Rhodes on "Perpetual Love" provide lush and vivid backdrops for Byrd and tenor saxophonist Frank Foster (who is absolutely fantastic on this record) to undertake some of the best soloing of their respective careers. Keyboardist Duke Pearson, bassist Ron Carter, Byrd, Foster, and drummer/percussionist Airto who makes his debut appearance on this album!!!!! The title epic song which opens the albums song features the standout flute of Lew Tabakin who sounds like Jethro Tull meets Miles Davis.... A fantastic album that I would highly recommend to all lovers of space jazz or for those who are willing to step out of the ordinary.

Sigur Rós - Valtari (2012)

Sigur Rós - Valtari 180g vinyl edition


  There is just something so unreal about this band......perhaps it's their mystical songwriting or their heavy symphonic landscapes one perhaps their surreal songs....one of my friends described their music as dreams.........dreams....what a great metaphor!

   Valtari is another great album from this Icelandic band who have released a number of great albums over the years and this one is another awesome chapter. I personally think this is right up there with their second album "()". For those who are not familiar with Sigur Ros you will discover a band who have not limits or boundaries

Sigur Rós - Takk (2009)

Sigur Rós - Takk, 2009

  Takk is simply breathtaking music that you must hear! Deeply moving...rich and full.....another masterpiece from this Icelandic band. Like all the Sigur Ros albums this plays pretty much like a movie soundtrack. Musically Sigur Ros blend symphonic rock and epic soundscapes into a tranquil energy building album that you will love.
  This was the first album sung in Icelandic rather than their own made-up "Hopelandic" (not that this listener could tell the difference).  Takk is BIG....WIDE.......JOYOUS....CREATIVE and most of all EMOTIONAL.  
  This is an album you need to SIT and listen to without any interference or disturbance in the force!
  Simple...yet brilliant and beautiful music 

The Kinks - State Of Confusion (1982)

The Kinks - State Of Confusion SACD

  State of confusion was the 80's kinks album of my highschool days......."don't forget to dance" and "come dancing" we're staples on the DJ lists.