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SACD

Various Artists – Opus 3 – Test CD 4: Acoustic Music In Authentic Enviroments (2001) [SACD / Opus 3 – CD 19420]

adminMay 8, 2025 370 Views

Title: Various Artists – Opus 3 – Test CD 4: Acoustic Music In Authentic Enviroments (2001)
Genre: Jazz, Blues, Classical, Folk, World, Country
Format: SACD ISO

CD 4 is an extended version of Test Record 4 on vinyl. Contents now include 6 completely new tracks & a few replacements, & the total time is more than 76 minutes. In this the 4th test record, the 3 basic concepts of: Depth of Image, Timbre & Dynamics have been linked together as a basis for evaluation of HiFi equipment. Test CD 4, like its predecessors, contains a generously varied selection of acoustic music from the Opus 3 catalogue, with advisers concerning special points to listen for on each track. Again like its predecessors, the new test record makes an enjoyable music sampler, all the more so as it includes no fewer than 17 tracks from 17 different Opus 3 titles, most of them recent releases.

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SACD

Omnibus Wind Ensemble – Music By Frank Zappa (2001) [SACD / Opus 3 – CD 19423]

adminMay 8, 2025 328 Views

Title: Omnibus Wind Ensemble – Music By Frank Zappa (2001)
Genre: Classical, Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble’s interest in Frank Zappa’s music dates back to the beginning of the 1980s, almost from their very beginnings. Under the motto “From Mozart to Zappa”, which also became the title of their 1st, widely acclaimed CD on the Opus3 label, they have had many of Frank Zappa’s compositions in their repertoire over the years.

The music of Frank Zappa has always defied classification, & those who have not studied it closely perhaps do not realize how much jazz & classical music it contains. (Zappa composed a percussion piece when he was only 15!) Arguably, Frank Zappa is 1 of this century’s most interesting composers & perhaps the best kept musical secret in the USA. This Omnibus SACD “Music By Frank Zappa” is a grand tour of his music – from the beautiful “Peaches En Regalia”, the highly complex “Revised Music For A Low Budget Orchestra”, the outstandingly humorous “Brown Shoes Don’t Make It” to the jazz-bluesy introduction etc. of “Inca Roads”, with all the fireworks that follow it! The disc ends with a piece which was not written by Frank Zappa, namely Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” here in a big-band-influenced special arrangement inspired by Zappa’s own version from 1988. Classical, Jazz or Rock!?

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2 min read

SACD

Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4-5 (2009) [SACD / Ondine – ODE 1146-5]

adminMay 8, 2025 316 Views

Title: Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 4-5 (2009)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Olli Mustonen completes his Beethoven Piano Concerto cycle with Concertos Nos. 4 and 5, performing as both pianist and conductor. He collaborates with the Tapiola Sinfonietta, with whom he has toured Europe to acclaim. Mustonen’s visionary approach is witty yet focused on revealing inner musical structures. His variable tempos and ritardandi highlight chords and cadential passages, giving them new significance. In Concerto No. 4, the opening piano solo is bright and playful, sharply contrasting the orchestral sections. This separation of solo and orchestra is less effective in the grander Concerto No. 5, where dramatic scale feels diluted. Mustonen draws on historical-performance insights while using a modern piano, conducting the crisp 40-member Tapiola Sinfonietta. His lively, distinct solo sections may polarize listeners as either revelatory or mannered. Ondine’s top-notch sound and multilingual booklet enhance the release. Listeners will find Mustonen’s performances engaging, never dull, and highly individual.

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1 min read

SACD

Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-2 (2007) [SACD / Ondine – ODE 1099-5]

adminMay 8, 2025 324 Views

Title: Olli Mustonen, Tapiola Sinfonietta – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-2 (2007)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Olli Mustonen performs and conducts Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 with the Tapiola Sinfonietta in this first of three volumes. Mustonen, also a composer, offers a fresh, quirky interpretation, using his own cadenzas in the First Concerto. The Tapiola Sinfonietta, a long-time collaborator, supports Mustonen’s visionary approach. Mustonen’s performance emphasizes stark contrasts between the piano and orchestra, with the orchestra playing plainly. His piano entries introduce unorthodox accents, particularly in the finales, with the Second Concerto’s finale featuring bold syncopated emphases. The First Concerto’s opening movement shifts from martial to playful under Mustonen’s direction. The slow movements, free of edginess, are richly performed and recorded. Ondine’s Super Audio sound provides exceptional transparency, highlighting inner orchestral lines. This recording may puzzle traditionalists but intrigues seasoned listeners. It’s not ideal as a first introduction to Beethoven’s concertos but captivates with its originality.

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1 min read

SACD

David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rospropovich, The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell – – Brahms: Violin Concerto & Double Concerto (1970) [Japan 2011] [SACD / EMI Classics – TOGE-12017]

adminMay 8, 2025 436 Views

Title: David Oistrakh, Mstislav Rospropovich, The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell – – Brahms: Violin Concerto & Double Concerto (1970) [Japan 2011]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This is one of two recordings of the Double Concerto that Mstislav Rostropovich performed. That the cello’s repertoire has been so wonderfully enriched during the 20th century is due largely to Mstislav Rostropovich, the most influential cellist of his time, a champion of liberty, and also a noted conductor and pianist. Rostropovich was closely associated with EMI Classics (now Warner Classics) for more than 50 years, having made 100 recordings with the company between 1954 and his death in 2007, just a month after celebrations for his 80th birthday at the Kremlin.

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1 min read

SACD

Olivia Newton-John – Physical (1981/2012) [SACD / Universal (Japan) – UIGY-9086]

adminMay 8, 2025 418 Views

Title: Olivia Newton-John – Physical (1981) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2012]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Uses the 2012 DSD master based on Japanese original analog tape. Reissue features the high-fidelity SHM-SACD format (fully compatible with standard SACD player, but it does not play on standard CD players). DSD Transferred from analogue master tapes by Masaru Takagi.
“Physical” became such a monster hit – not just a hit, but a pop-culture phenomenon that was impossible to escape – that it became difficult to view its accompanying album as anything other than a conduit for the single. The thing was, Physical was a damn good record, in many ways one of Olivia Newton-John’s very best. Picking up where Totally Hot and Xanadu left off, Physical skillfully balances catchy yet mellow dance cuts with immaculately crafted adult contemporary pop and ballads. The title track, of course, is the best example of the dance side, but “Landslide,” “Make a Move on Me,” and “Promise (Dolphin Song)” illustrate that Physical wasn’t a one-hit record at all – if anything, they hold up better than the big hit. There is some filler here – none of her records were free from that curse – but it’s well-made filler and helps make Physical one of the most enjoyable albums of her career.

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2 min read

SACD

Olivia Newton-John – Come On Over (1976/2011) [SACD / Universal (Japan) – UIGY-9078]

adminMay 8, 2025 803 Views

Title: Olivia Newton-John – Come On Over (1976) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2011]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Olivia Newton-John’s Come on Over is a 2011 DSD-mastered SHM-SACD reissue, transferred from analog tapes by Masaru Takagi. The album blends country, folk, and pop, featuring Newton-John’s haunting arrangement of “Greensleeves.” Her tenth Top 40 hit, the Bee Gees-penned title track “Come on Over” topped the adult contemporary charts. Country covers like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Jolene” frame the album’s first side. “Pony Ride,” a piano ballad, bridges the album’s Western and pop elements. John Farrar’s understated production elevates Newton-John’s heartfelt vocals, especially on the title track. Despite a solid cover of “The Long and Winding Road,” the title track overshadows other performances. “It’ll Be Me,” a Hank Marvin/John Farrar composition, is a highlight, tied to Newton-John’s Shadows connection. Farrar’s production on tracks like “Small Talk and Pride” and “Wrap Me in Your Arms” is elegant and underrated. Come on Over is a pop classic, showcasing Newton-John’s superstar status and Farrar’s masterful grasp of pop.

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2 min read

SACD

Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth (1961/2011) [SACD / Impulse! – UCGU-9028]

adminMay 8, 2025 257 Views

Title: Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth (1961) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2011]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Oliver Nelson, primarily a big band arranger, shines as a saxophonist and small-ensemble leader in Blues and the Abstract Truth. The album defines an era with the iconic “Stolen Moments,” featuring a timeless three-part horn harmony led by Freddie Hubbard. Nelson assembles a stellar sextet with Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes. Nelson and Dolphy, on alto (Nelson doubling on tenor), create a perfect, dynamic partnership. The rhythm section of Evans, Chambers, and Haynes is impeccable. “Yearnin’” delivers a stylish, bluesy vibe, highlighting Evans’ emotive playing. “Teenie’s Blues” showcases Dolphy’s distinctive, angular alto sax alongside Nelson. “Hoedown” stands out with its unique country flavor and call-and-response horns. Hard bop tracks “Cascades” and “Butch & Butch” capture the early ’60s jazz spirit and Hubbard’s mastery. A must-have for jazz fans, this album is a timeless classic.

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SACD

Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth (1961/2010) [SACD / Analogue Productions – CIPJ 5 SA]

adminMay 8, 2025May 8, 2025 378 Views

Title: Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth (1961) [Analogue Productions 2010]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Oliver Nelson’s 1961 album Blues and the Abstract Truth is a jazz masterpiece featuring Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes. It introduces the iconic standard “Stolen Moments,” a timeless, three-part horn harmony led by Hubbard. Nelson, primarily known as a big band arranger, excels here as a saxophonist and small-ensemble leader. The potent sextet, with Nelson and Dolphy on alto (Nelson doubling on tenor), delivers a perfectly balanced sound. “Yearnin’” captures the bluesy essence, showcasing Evans’ emotive style. “Teenie’s Blues” highlights Dolphy’s distinctive, angular alto sax voice alongside Nelson. “Hoedown” stands out with its country flavor and call-and-response horn interplay. Hard bop tracks “Cascades” and “Butch & Butch” reflect the early ’60s jazz era and Hubbard’s mastery. The rhythm section of Evans, Chambers, and Haynes is flawless. A must-have for jazz fans, this album is a defining work of its time.

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1 min read

SACD

Oliver Nelson – Screamin’ The Blues (1960/2018) [SACD / Analogue Productions – CPRJ 8243 SA]

adminMay 8, 2025May 8, 2025 330 Views

Title: Oliver Nelson – Screamin’ The Blues (1960/2018)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Oliver Nelson and Eric Dolphy shine in a dynamic sextet session, joined by Richard Williams, Richard Wyands, George Duvivier, and Roy Haynes. Nelson’s five original compositions, including “Screamin’ the Blues” and “The Meetin’,” showcase his compositional prowess. Dolphy’s unique virtuosity complements Nelson’s vision, creating a vibrant, funky modernist sound. This album, part of Analogue Productions’ audiophile Prestige Stereo reissues, highlights Rudy Van Gelder’s finest recordings. Nelson, initially celebrated as a small-group leader, proves his versatility here. The Nelson-Dolphy partnership, marked by multi-instrumental skill, generates a rich diversity of tones. Their collaboration later continued on Blues and the Abstract Truth and Straight Ahead. The sextet’s shared commitment to virtuosity and innovation drives the session’s intensity. Wyands, Duvivier, and Haynes provide a solid rhythmic foundation. Screamin’ the Blues remains a standout in Nelson’s early catalog.

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