Audiophile: Digital, February 2024

Audiophile: Digital, February 2024

Taj Mahal

Savoy

Stony Plain SPCD1470

Like BB King singing ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ and Albert King’s ‘The Very Thought Of You’ a lifetime in the past, Taj Mahal – no stranger to audiophiles – proves but once more that blues singers can actually swing with the Great American songbook. Paying homage to one of many nice dance halls in Harlem, Taj sings his manner via Duke Ellington, Gershwin, Arlen and others, with 14 wonderful numbers together with ‘Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby’, ‘Summertime’, ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ (with people/blues singer Maria Muldaur) and extra. This is solely essentially the most pleasant CD I’ve heard in years. And if it weren’t for the elegant sound high quality, it might have been recorded manner again in 1947. Sheer bliss. KK

Black Sabbath

Paranoid

Rhino Quadio BA2 3104 (Blu-ray 4.0)

Another from the debut quartet of unique quadraphonic mixes reissued on Blu-ray by Rhino, that is undeniably one in all Black Sabbath’s most highly-regarded albums. Their second studio effort, first launched in 1970, it gave us such treasured nascent gothic steel anthems as ‘War Pigs’ and the title observe – absolutely a cornerstone of the style – whereas it is also a reminder of pre-dotage Ozzy in his pomp. And the teachings about remastering for purists proceed: that is true 4.0 as initially issued, not a 5.1 simulacrum, so pedants will hear what Osbourne & Co created on the time, with a exceptional dearth of gimmickry. Let’s hope Rhino has extra of those deliberate. KK

Martin Denny

Deep Exotica

Righteous PSALM23:116D (two discs; mono)

Despite infuriating me to the purpose of apoplexy, I’m reviewing this because it accommodates 4 total albums from a now-forgotten pioneer of the early stereo period. Dating from 1957-1959, listed here are the primary three volumes of the Exotica collection, plus the legendary Quiet Village, of which I’ve not less than three copies on pre-recorded open-reel tape. Denny’s shtick was loungecore – what we now name simple listening – however with added oddball sounds. Alas, whoever curated this much-needed set opted for mono regardless of the stereo albums being peerless audiophile milestones. Phil Spector was fallacious: it is like re-releasing Lawrence Of Arabia in black-and-white and 4:3. KK

Miguel Espinoza Fusion

Gabriella

Octave Records OCT-0031

If you recall Seventies audiophile vinyl, when JVC pressed among the best-sounding LPs ever heard, it will put you in thoughts of Flamenco Ole!. I’m no authority on the style, but it surely charms me with the sound of flooring and tables being slammed with the heels of the dancers and energetic acoustic guitar work, whereas the melodies evoke a Spain which is unquestionably of the previous. By now, the shape: Octave has taken up the mantle for releases that are not reissues of extant titles, as a substitute originating elegant SACDs in pure DSD256. With one of many prime flamenco guitarists in a ten-piece ensemble, the main target is on his taking part in, not the heel clacking. But guard your woofers. KK

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February 29, 2024 at 11:33PM