![Anastasia Lyutova & The Band - Some Like It Jazz (2019) [Japan]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2022/06/17/xZELlhI.jpg "Anastasia Lyutova & The Band - Some Like It Jazz (2019) [Japan]")
Title: Anastasia Lyutova & The Band – Some Like It Jazz (2019) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Young Russian jazz vocalist Anastasia Lyutova and her band of wonderful musicians including Sergey Baulin (tenor sax), Alexey Podymkin (piano), Vladimir Koltsov-Krutov (double bass) and Alexey Bekker (drums), perfom a set of jazz standards.
![Ana Caram - Rio After Dark (1989) [Reissue 2002]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2022/06/14/lqjiBZ2.jpg "Ana Caram - Rio After Dark (1989) [Reissue 2002]")
Title: Ana Caram – Rio After Dark (1989) [Reissue 2002]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Ana Caram, a São Paulo-born composer, vocalist, and guitarist, is known for her delicate, vibrato-less soprano and versatile delivery, excelling in both melodic ballads and lively sambas. Her debut U.S. album, Rio After Dark (1989, Chesky Records), evokes the timeless sound of 1962 bossa nova, as if untouched since “Desafinado.” A protégé of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caram skillfully applies bossa nova styling to contemporary songs like Djavan’s works and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” Her slightly off-pitch vocals, typical of seductive Brazilian singers, add charm, complemented by her João Gilberto-inspired guitar rhythms. Caram contributes original tracks like “Renovação” and “Rainbow,” rooted in classic bossa nova. Jobim guests on piano and vocals for “Meditation” and “Anos Dourados,” with his groans captured in Chesky’s meticulous recording. Paquito D’Rivera’s clarinet shines on “O Que Vier Eu Traço,” and his alto sax, echoing Stan Getz, elevates “La Cumbia.” Steve Sacks’ alto flute and subtle percussion by Carlos Alberto de Oliveira and Café enhance the album’s spare, low-key texture. The SACD’s high-fidelity production appeals to purist bossa nova fans, offering a pristine listening experience. Rio After Dark showcases Caram’s artistry, blending tradition with fresh interpretations, making it a standout in the genre.
Title: Ana Caram – Hollywood Rio (2004)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
A superior Brazilian jazz singer, Ana Caram takes a slight detour on this SACD, stretching her repertoire while mostly still performing in a style influenced by bossa nova. One does not get to hear such songs as “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You,” “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “Smile,” and “As Time Goes By” in a bossa nova setting that often. Also unusual is that Michel Freidenson plays all of the instruments other than the reeds (which are performed by Lawrence Feldman), and most of his electronic instruments sound real enough not to be an issue. The focus throughout is on Caram’s lovely voice and she excels on this material, showing that it really is not what you sing but how you sing it. Recommended.
Title: Ana Caram – Blue Bossa (2001)
Genre: Jazz, Bossa Nova
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Ana Caram is an excellent singer and guitarist of Brazilian music, but this set lacks any real surprises. She only plays guitar on one song, sticking to singing while being backed by a rhythm section and the saxophones of Paulo Levi. The selections all date from the 1960s (other than her original “Pura Luz”) and Caram is mostly cast in the role of Astrud Gilberto, performing Jobim tunes (including “Desafinado,” “Corcovado,” and “Triste”) and other tunes from the era, including “Blue Bossa,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and Baden Powell’s “So Por Amor.” The results are pleasant but very predictable, with no real chances being taken nor any fresh light shone on the veteran warhorses.
Title: Anonymous 4 – The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bing (2005)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Anonymous 4’s The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen (2005, Harmonia Mundi) is their final SACD, marking the end of their 18-year career in 2004. Focusing on 12th-century mystic Hildegard of Bingen, the album explores the Pentecostal theme of the “Fiery Spirit” through her emotional chants, including the hymn O ignee spiritus and key antiphons. The program contextualizes Hildegard’s works with hymns and sequences her convent sisters sang daily, enhancing historical authenticity. Unlike their earlier 11,000 Virgins (1997), this collection sets Hildegard’s text-only visions to medieval recitation tones, a novel approach for recorded psalm tones. Anonymous 4’s four female voices—Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, Johanna Maria Rose, and Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek—deliver pure, resonant performances, though some critique the vibrato-heavy style compared to earlier recordings. The SACD’s high-resolution stereo and surround sound, captured in a resonant church acoustic, amplify the ethereal quality of the monophonic chants. The 64-minute album, with 17 tracks, balances Hildegard’s soaring melodies and the grounding liturgical framework. Detailed liner notes by Susan Hellauer provide scholarly insight into the selections and context. This release, a fitting capstone to Anonymous 4’s legacy, appeals to early music enthusiasts and those drawn to Hildegard’s mystical vision. It stands out for its innovative integration of vision texts and liturgical settings, cementing the group’s impact on medieval music revival.
Title: Amsterdam Sinfonietta Soloists – Schubert: String Quintet (2015)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC
Schubert’s String Quintet, a chamber music masterpiece, is presented in an unconventional arrangement on this SACD by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. Typically scored for two violins, viola, and two cellos, inspired by Boccherini and Onslow, this version replaces the second cello with a double bass, played by Rick Stotijn. The adaptation, commissioned from Marijn van Prooijen, draws on Onslow’s practice of writing alternative bass parts after hearing virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti. Stotijn uses a small double bass tuned in fourths with a top C string, adding gravitas while maintaining the original pitch, notably in the first movement’s cello duet. The Amsterdam Sinfonietta delivers a stellar performance, with apt tempi and reactive interplay, though the finale’s violin filigree slightly falters. The arrangement evokes Schubert’s Trout Quintet in its lighter moments. The SACD’s sound quality enhances the ensemble’s brilliance, recorded in vivid detail. Compared to traditional recordings by the Belcea or Pavel Haas Quartets, this version stands out for its novel bass timbre. The liner notes justify the arrangement by citing Schubert’s potential awareness of Dragonetti’s influence. Listeners must decide if they want this unique, compelling take on Schubert’s swansong, which rivals standard versions in execution but diverges in texture.
![America - Hearts (1975) [Audio Fidelity 2016]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2022/06/13/FR2P8jF.jpg "America - Hearts (1975) [Audio Fidelity 2016]")
Title: America – Hearts (1975) [Audio Fidelity 2016]
Genre: Rock
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Hearts (1975), the fifth studio album by American folk rock trio America, was released by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by George Martin, famed for his work with The Beatles, it reached number 4 on the Billboard album chart. The album earned gold certification from the RIAA, reflecting strong U.S. sales. It spawned three hit singles: “Sister Golden Hair,” which topped the Billboard singles chart and hit number 5 on adult contemporary. “Daisy Jane” peaked at 20 on the Billboard singles chart and number 4 on adult contemporary. “Woman Tonight,” with its funky vibe, reached 44 on the singles chart and 41 on adult contemporary. Other tracks like “Old Virginia,” “Bell Tree,” and “Midnight” gained airplay on FM album-oriented stations. The album blends America’s signature acoustic-driven folk-pop with polished production. Its success solidified the band’s mid-’70s commercial peak. Available on SACD, Hearts offers enhanced audio clarity for fans and collectors.
![America - Homecoming (1972) [Audio Fidelity 2015]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2022/06/13/RJBjm8M.jpg "America - Homecoming (1972) [Audio Fidelity 2015]")
Title: America – Homecoming (1972) [Audio Fidelity 2015]
Genre: Rock
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Homecoming (1972) is America’s finest album, refining the folk-pop style of their debut with tighter, more direct songs. It features fewer extended instrumental solos, focusing on concise songwriting. The sound is clear and bright, with acoustic guitar at the core, enhanced by electric guitar and keyboards. Performances are confident and passionately committed, among the band’s best on record. Lyrics remain occasionally trite or cryptic but often evoke a compelling wanderlust and love for nature, especially in “Moon Song,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Cornwall Blank.” Sophisticated chord progressions add subtle, surprising depth. New stylistic touches include the country-flavored “Don’t Cross the River,” the hard-rocking “California Revisited,” and the funky “Head & Heart.” Hits like “Ventura Highway,” “Only in Your Heart,” and “Don’t Cross the River” shine, but every track stands out. The vibrant arrangements and evocative themes make Homecoming highly rewarding. This album, available on SACD for enhanced audio clarity, solidifies America’s early-’70s peak.
![America - America (1971) [Audio Fidelity 2013]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2022/06/13/rAswSas.jpg "America - America (1971) [Audio Fidelity 2013]")
Title: America – America (1971) [Audio Fidelity 2013]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
America’s self-titled debut album (1972) is a folk-pop classic, influencing artists like the Eagles and Dan Fogelberg. It draws heavily from Crosby, Stills & Nash, evident in its rich vocal harmonies and strummed acoustic guitar arrangements. Tracks like “Sandman” and “Children” echo CS&N’s chordal singing, while “Riverside” recalls their dynamic guitar work. America’s acoustic guitar interplay is more intricate than their influences, though occasional sloppy execution or tuning issues appear. The album features extended instrumental sections, including intros (“Donkey Jaw”), interludes (“Here”), and closings (“Clarice”). Its inventive chord progressions enhance the songs without overshadowing them. Lyrics can be trite or cryptic, but the music compensates, except for the weak “Pigeon Song.” The intimate, covered sound quality adds a ghostly aura. Hits include “A Horse with No Name,” “I Need You,” and “Sandman,” alongside gems like “Three Roses” and “Rainy Day.” Despite minor flaws, this highly recommended album remains a cornerstone of folk-pop.
Title: America – Struttin’ Our Stuff (2004)
Genre: Rock, Folk
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
The German Ohne Filter TV series features various music acts, including a 1999 concert by the pop/rock band America. America, originally a trio with Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek, became a duo after Peek’s departure in 1976. At their 1970s peak, they produced hits with producer George Martin, marking the era with their acoustic sound. Peek left for Christian music, and the duo had a 1982 comeback with “You Can Do Magic.” By 1999, Bunnell and Beckley performed as a duo for Ohne Filter. The concert is now released on SACD as Struttin’ Our Stuff by Inakustik. The hybrid multi-channel SACD includes two additional tracks compared to the DVD-Video version. America’s performance captures their enduring appeal despite a faded comeback. The SACD enhances the audio experience of this iconic band. The Ohne Filter series continues to showcase diverse musical talents.