Alexis Cole – Someday My Prince Will Come (2009) [Japan 2016] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-128]

Alexis Cole - Someday My Prince Will Come (2009) [Japan 2016]

Title: Alexis Cole – Someday My Prince Will Come (2009) [Japan 2016]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Alexis Cole, praised for her deep, smooth contralto, has captivated audiences since her teenage years. Compared to Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day, she’s hailed as “one of the great voices of today.” Her innovative interpretations and luxurious voice appeal to all ages, earning her a Swing Journal Gold Disk award. Cole won vocal competitions at NY Jazzmobile and Montreux Jazz Festival. Someday My Prince Will Come, her first album for Venus Records, evokes childhood dreams through standards. The album features ballads from show tunes referencing Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. Cole’s clear enunciation and storytelling shine, supported by pianist Fred Hersch, bassist Steve LaSpina, and drummer Matt Wilson. Tracks like “Let Me Be Good to You” and “Love” blend seduction and whimsy, with Don Braden’s saxophone adding charm. “If I Never Knew You” and the title track highlight Cole’s supple voice, accented by Gregoire Maret’s harmonica. Best enjoyed late at night, this album creates a romantic, nostalgic mood perfect for sharing.

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2 min read

Alexis Cole – Close Your Eyes (2014) [Japan] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-24]

Alexis Cole - Close Your Eyes (2014) [Japan]

Title: Alexis Cole – Close Your Eyes (2014) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Alexis Cole’s Close Your Eyes is a beautifully arranged collection of American Songbook classics. Her mysterious, seductive voice captivates, earning comparisons to Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. The album’s melodic, breezy solos complement Cole’s vocals, perfect for a romantic evening. Cole, hailed as “one of the great voices of today,” is a favorite across generations for her innovative interpretations. She won a Swing Journal Gold Disk award and vocal competitions at NY Jazzmobile and Montreux. Recording for Motéma Music and Venus Records, her albums feature luminaries like Fred Hersch and Eric Alexander. Her work receives widespread praise and global radio play. Cole performs at top venues like Dizzy’s Club, Blues Alley, and Billboard Live, Tokyo, and has soloed with the NY Philharmonic Brass. She trained in Indian Classical singing in Mumbai and serves as the full-time jazz vocalist for the West Point Band Jazz Knights. Swing Journal proclaims her the “next great singer” jazz fans have awaited.

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1 min read

Alexis Cole & Bucky Pizzarelli – A Beautiful Friendship (2015) [Japan] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-84]

Alexis Cole & Bucky Pizzarelli - A Beautiful Friendship (2015) [Japan]

Title: Alexis Cole & Bucky Pizzarelli – A Beautiful Friendship (2015) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Alexis Cole, hailed as “one of the great voices of today” by Jonathan Schwartz, is compared to jazz legends Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. She has performed with the Boston Pops and New York Philharmonic at venues like Avery Fisher Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her nine albums, featuring artists like Fred Hersch and Eric Alexander, have earned critical acclaim and global radio play. Cole performs at top jazz clubs, including Dizzy’s Club, Birdland, and The Jazz Standard, as well as Billboard Live in Tokyo. She won a Swing Journal Gold Disk award and vocal competitions at NY Jazzmobile and Montreux. Cole was also a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Competition. Bucky Pizzarelli is a renowned American jazz guitarist and banjoist. He is the father of guitarist John Pizzarelli and bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Pizzarelli has collaborated with legends like Les Paul, Stephane Grappelli, and Benny Goodman. His playing style is influenced by Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George Van Eps.

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1 min read

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – If Haydn Had Written For Oboe, Vol.2 (2009) [SACD / Caro Mitis – CM 0012007]

Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra - If Haydn Had Written For Oboe, Vol.2 (2009)

Title: Alexei Utkin, Hermitage Chamber Orchestra – If Haydn Had Written For Oboe, Vol.2 (2009)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

The name of the oboist and conductor Alexey Utkin is now well known both in Russia and abroad. His great natural talent was developed by the brilliant musical education he has received in the Moscow Conservatory. In 2000 Utkin set up and headed The Ensemble of Soloists “Hermitage”. On delectable SACD from Caro Mitis Alexi Utkin playing music of Haydn, one of his favorite composers. The Oboe Concerto actually wasn’t written by Haydn although attributed to him, the oboe plays a relatively insignificant part as one of four soloists in the well-known Sinfonia concertante, and the oboe d’amore here replaces the cello in the Divertimento. Exquisite performances, beautifully recorded.

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1 min read

Alexandra Shakina – Mood Indigo (2019) [Venus Japan] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-350]

Alexandra Shakina - Mood Indigo (2019) [Venus Japan]

Title: Alexandra Shakina – Mood Indigo (2019) [Venus Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Alexandra Shakina’s second release for Japanese Venus label. Backed by Massimo Farao’ on piano, Nicola Barbon on bass and Gianni Cazzola on drums, sings “Isn’t It Romantic?”, “Let’s Face The Music And Dance”, “Mood Indigo”, “I’m A Fool To Want You”, and more.

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1 min read

Alexander Warenberg & his Orchestra – A Time For Us (2002) [SACD / First Impression Music – FIM SACD M051]

Alexander Warenberg & his Orchestra - A Time For Us (2002)

Title: Alexander Warenberg & his Orchestra – A Time For Us (2002)
Genre: Soundtrack
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This album features orchestral arrangements of movie themes based on works by Mozart, Bernstein, Khatchaturian, Barber, Puccini, and John Williams. Violinist Alexander Waremberg arranged and performs these romantic themes, derived from classical masterpieces. The large orchestra delivers warmth and depth in a symphonic setting. Waremberg’s touching violin solos are enhanced by a dramatic, multi-channel SACD transfer. The recording is a true audiophile experience, courtesy of FIM’s high-quality SACD production. It has become a bestseller among similar music collections. The arrangements highlight the emotional and romantic essence of beloved movie themes. This album appeals to fans of both classical music and cinematic scores.

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1 min read

Kinsky Trio Prague, Prazak Quartet – Alexander Borodin – Chamber Music Vol. III (2011) [SACD / Praga Digitals – PRD/DSD 250 288]

Kinsky Trio Prague, Prazak Quartet - Alexander Borodin - Chamber Music Vol. III (2011)

Title: Kinsky Trio Prague, Prazak Quartet – Alexander Borodin – Chamber Music Vol. III (2011)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Praga’s third volume of Borodin’s chamber music focuses on his early works from 1850–62, likely concluding the series. These short, often unfinished pieces lack the Russian character of Borodin’s mature works, reflecting Mendelssohn and Schumann’s influence. Written for private performance, they were unpublished until long after Borodin’s death. The 22-minute Piano Trio (1862), possibly incomplete, shows Schumann and Mendelssohn echoes but lacks a finale. The 1860 Sextet, lasting eight minutes, features Mendelssohnian traits and rich textures. Two string trios from 1850, for two violins and cello, include a G-Minor Andantino with Russian folk elements. The G-Major trio, with Allegro and Andante movements, seems to lack a finale. The Serenata alla spagnola (1886), part of a collaborative quartet, uses a motif from the dedicatee’s name. Performances by the Kinsky Trio and Pražák Quartet are excellent, with vivid SACD stereo sound. Despite minor booklet errors, this disc is recommended for Borodin enthusiasts exploring his early compositions.

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1 min read

Ales Barta – Organ Surround Illusion: Toccata And Fugue (2001) [SACD / Exton – OVGY-00001]

Ales Barta - Organ Surround Illusion: Toccata And Fugue (2001)

Title: Ales Barta – Organ Surround Illusion: Toccata And Fugue (2001)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

High Quality Non-Compressed Japanese Import SACD! Superior Sound! Organist Ales Barta performs compositional works by J.S. Bach, Brahms, Liszt, Franck, Boellmann, and Messiaen. This Exton Laboratory Gold Line Hybrid Stereo disc is a high quality non-compressed Japanese Import SACD. Recorded on a custom Sony DSD recorder, this audiophile SACD is packaged in an XRCD-like luxury digipak. This disc includes a booklet with detailed microphone and equipment diagram and placement used for each individual recording! Superior quality Japanese Import SACD, manufactured in Yokohama, Japan. Only the best recordings – technically and artistically!

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1 min read

Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Paco de Lucia – Passion, Grace & Fire (1983) [Japanese SACD 2001] [SACD / Columbia – SRGS-4587]

Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Paco de Lucia - Passion, Grace & Fire (1983) [Japanese SACD 2001]

Title: Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Paco de Lucia – Passion, Grace & Fire (1983) [Japanese SACD 2001]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Paco de Lucía (1947–2014) was a Spanish flamenco guitarist, composer, and producer. He pioneered New Flamenco, gaining legitimacy for the genre in Spain. De Lucía was among the first flamenco guitarists to successfully blend classical and jazz styles. In 1982, he reunited with John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola for Passion, Grace and Fire. This acoustic guitar trio album followed their 1980 Friday Night in San Francisco. The album features intense, virtuosic playing with little respite. Often described as a guitar “battle,” it results in a three-way tie. Passion, Grace and Fire lives up to its fiery, elegant title.

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1 min read