Dead Can Dance – Into The Labyrinth (1993) [MFSL 2008] [SACD / 4AD – SADCD 2711]

Dead Can Dance - Into The Labyrinth (1993) [MFSL 2008]

Title: Dead Can Dance – Into The Labyrinth (1993) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Electronic, Modern Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Into the Labyrinth is the sixth album recorded by the Dead Can Dance duo Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. It marked a strong shift from the previous albums, putting ethnic music influences at the forefront as would be the case in the later albums. It was their first album completed on their own without the aid of guest musicians, and their first album to have a major-label release in the U.S., thanks to a distribution deal that 4AD had with Warner Bros. Records. It featured the single “The Ubiquitous Mr Lovegrove”.

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1 min read

Dead Can Dance – Aion (1990) [MFSL 2008] [SACD / 4AD – SADCD 2710]

Dead Can Dance - Aion (1990) [MFSL 2008]

Title: Dead Can Dance – Aion (1990) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Electronic, Modern Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Aion is the fifth studio album by Dead Can Dance, released in 1990. The first album Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry wrote after the end of their romantic partnership, it was recorded at Perry’s new estate, Quivvy Church in Ireland, and at Woodbine Street Recording Studios in Leamington Spa. The male soprano David Navarro Sust contributes vocals to tracks 1 and 7. The album cover shows a detail from the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights (specifically, its central “Earth” panel).

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1 min read

Dead Can Dance – Spleen And Ideal (1986) [MFSL 2008] [SACD / 4AD – SADCD 2707]

Dead Can Dance - Spleen And Ideal (1986) [MFSL 2008]

Title: Dead Can Dance – Spleen And Ideal (1986) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Alternative Rock, Experimental, Modern Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Spleen and Ideal is the second studio album by Australian musical act Dead Can Dance. It was released on 1 September 1985, by record label 4AD. The album features a transition between the band’s post-punk and gothic rock-influenced debut album towards a greater darkwave style.

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1 min read

Dead Can Dance – Garden Of The Arcane Delights (EP – 1984) [MFSL 2008] [SACD / 4AD – SADCD 2706]

Dead Can Dance - Garden Of The Arcane Delights (EP - 1984) [MFSL 2008]

Title: Dead Can Dance – Garden Of The Arcane Delights (EP – 1984) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Gothic Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Garden of the Arcane Delights is the first and only EP by Australian band Dead Can Dance. It was released in August 1984 on record label 4AD. The tracks were later added to Dead Can Dance’s self-titled debut album when it was re-released on CD.

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1 min read

Dead Can Dance – Dead Can Dance (1984) [MFSL 2008] [SACD / 4AD – SADCD 2705]

Dead Can Dance - Dead Can Dance (1984) [MFSL 2008]

Title: Dead Can Dance – Dead Can Dance (1984) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Gothic Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Dead Can Dance is the debut studio album by Australian musical act Dead Can Dance. It was released on 27 February 1984 by record label 4AD. This album differs greatly from later Dead Can Dance releases in its incorporation of post-punk and gothic rock musical styles.

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1 min read

David Wilczewski – Room In The Clouds (2006) [SACD / Opus 3 – CD 22051]

David Wilczewski - Room In The Clouds (2006)

Title: David Wilczewski – Room In The Clouds (2006)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Dave Wilczewski was an American saxophonist living in Stockholm. Working with many groups on the road as well as in the recording studio, Dave was one of the most outstanding and coveted jazzsoloists in Sweden. He played with a melodic unique and personal style, which assembled many elements from different jazz and fusion areas. He has played on over 200 albums and in 2006, released his own album, “Room In The Clouds”. This album is a mature and relaxed offering from a musician who is equally gifted as a player and writer. This distinctive recording will resonate with fans of the contemporary music scene and undoubtedly stand the test of time.

Dave Wilczewski, a member of the group Vital Information, is highlighted on the latest Surround Sound Super Audio CD release from Opus 3 Records entitled “Room In The Clouds”. The album features 12 selections that were composed and arranged by Dave Wilczewski. Vital Information drummer Steve Smith says that “Room In The Clouds is a mature and relaxed offering from a musician who is equally gifted as a player and writer. The instrumentation and conception of this group is, at times, reminiscent of the early Vital Information recordings that Dave participated in as a writer/player, but the music on Room In The Clouds unfolds slowly, the musicians clearly allowing the music to lead them from moment to moment without imposing their “playing ability” onto the music.” The album is an original Direct Stream Sigital (DSD) recording made at Opus 3 studios in Sweden. Equipment used on the session includes the Sonoma DSD Workstation, 2 Genex GX 8500 Recorders and the EMM Labs Meitner ADC8 and DAC8 MK IV DSD converters. The album was produced by the artist and engineered by Opus 3 label owner Jan-Eric Persson and mastered by Thomas Eberger and Jan-Eric Persson at Cutting Room AB.

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2 min read

David Sanchez – Coral (2004) [SACD / Columbia – CH 90313]

David Sanchez - Coral (2004)

Title: David Sanchez – Coral (2004)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO

This is not jazz, this is not classical, this is not Afro-Cuban. This is music; the true test of a music lover. David Sanchez, a Puerto Rican by birth 1st came to prominence in Dizzy Gellespie’s United Nations Orchestra. Dizzy brought many aspiring musicians to the attention of the public during his long & distinguished career; David Sanchez was 1 of the last. He has a most beautiful tone on the saxophone & a technique 2nd to none. I would rate him 1 of the best tenor players in the world at this time. I find it refreshing that he is able to be modern & different, without the use of the ugly sounds, which for me mar the work of so many contemporary musicians. The arrangements for the Prague Symphony by Carlos Frenzetti are also remarkable. Most jazz player with Symphony backing discs have failed due to a total lack of empathy between the players. This is not present here, what we have is superb melodies, excellently played by all concerned. The recording was in fact made in Prague, at Smechy Studios; the mixing however took place at Sony Music Studio, New York City. Wherever the work was done, the overall result is near perfection, so near, that I could not point to anything needing improvement. Perhaps the sleeve note could have spent more time on the background to the music & a less on David thanking his butcher, baker & candlestick maker! The 1st 2 tracks are based on compositions of Jobim, which gives a guarantee of quality. Tracks 6 & 9 are Sanchez compositions & track 6 is from Franzetti. Track 6 has some double tracking with Sanchez stating his own theme before continuing with more delicious improvisations. This is music to relax & enjoy; David Sanchez takes the listener on a musical journey of great quality & inventiveness. It is 1 of the very best new releases in a long time & should be in everyone’s collection. ~Don Mather

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2 min read

David Sanborn – Time Again (2003) [SACD / Verve Records – 0044007615522]

David Sanborn - Time Again (2003)

Title: David Sanborn – Time Again (2003)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

It’s not hyperbole to say that this is Sanborn’s best record since his Warner Brothers heyday of the ’80s. The same can be said of the quality of the musicians gathered for the alto saxophonist’s first album for Verve. The material may be the best he’s ever assembled, with many cover tunes that are singularly identified with other artists, yet he redefines them. None of those words are meant to disparage those Grammy-winning gold albums of yore, it just his high standards have been magnified many fold on these 10 tracks. From the absolutely smoke-any-kind-of groove all-star band featuring a wailing Russell Malone on guitar, Christian McBride on bass, Mike Mainieri from Steps Ahead on vibes, and Sanborn’s longtime keyboard player, Ricky Peterson, to the sterling arrangements of re-imaged classics, including Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” done as a ballad and the timeless “Harlem Nocturne” spiced with world music overtones, this record sparkles. “Comin’ Home Baby” and “Christo Redentor,” songs made famous in the ’60s by Herbie Mann and Donald Byrd respectively, are interpreted with such passion and fire, it’s as if the melodies have belonged to Sanborn the whole time. His exquisite alto tone shines throughout the proceedings, and Malone just shows off on “Sugar”, and one of three Sanborn originals, “Spider B”.

Master saxophonist David Sanborn makes an astounding label debut with Time Again, and once again reminds his fans that he is firmly established as one of jazz’s best alto saxophonists. Joined by an all-star ensemble of master musicians that includes Russell Malone on guitar, Steve Gadd on drums, Christian McBride on bass, Mike Mainieri on vibraphone, and Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn, among others, David Sanborn delves deep into his seemingly never-ending repertoire to bring his distinctive sound to a variety of pop and jazz standards. Opening with a super-funky rendition of “Comin’ Home,” Sanborn reveals the culmination of hard work and staying power with a powerful statement of the melody which seamlessly segues into awesome solos taken by Mainieri and McBride. They get even better on “Cristo Redentor,” offering listeners another side of this infamous gospel jazz piece made famous by Donald Byrd. With soulful, innovative lines and a nighttime groove, Sanborn plays a reflective, sincere set that is destined to revive this song to the level not heard since the ’70s, when it was the theme song for several late-night radio programs. Ditto for “Harlem Nocturne,” which has become one of the most recognized television theme songs in the past decade. Sanborn, however, lifts it to another level with his dynamic 21st century outlook and brilliant improvisations. The all-masterful Time Again has something for everyone. It’s romantic, it’s funky, it’s laid-back, and it’s definitely one that should be in your music collection. In a sense, David Sanborn has pulled off one of the best recordings of his career.

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3 min read