Natalie Merchant – Tigerlily – 2 x 45RPM 180g Mobile Fidelity Vinyl
True to its title, Tigerlily balance fierceness and delicacy, creating a rare span of emotional territory. Listening to Tigerlily, a distinct songwriter’s voice emerges, one which possesses strength and vulnerability. The lyrics are personal, the arrangements stark and sparse. Tigerlily was engineered by John Holbrook, who has worked with The Band, Peter Tosh, and the Isley Brothers.
Otis Redding – Otis Blue – Analogue Productions 45RPM 180g Vinyl
The Ultimate Analogue Test LP – Analogue Productions 180g Vinyl
“Back in the golden age of vinyl there were many different test LPs available – all rather similar to one another. Analogue Productions decided to create a modern test disc that hasn’t been done before, and have succeeded. It specifically addresses the turntable, cartridge and stylus.” – John Sunier, Audiophile Audition, February 21, 2010
“The disc is indispensable for anyone who is dedicated to the most accurate adjustment of his LP playback system and thus the best sound.” – Harry Pearson, The Absolute SoundEditor
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Blacknuss
From its opening bars, with Bill Salter’s bass and Rahsaan’s flute passionately playing Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”, you know this isn’t an ordinary Kirk album (were any of them?). As the string section, electric piano, percussion, and Cornel Dupree’s guitar slip in the back door, one can feel the deep soul groove Kirk is bringing to the jazz fore here.
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Hi-Q Records XRCD24
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 Hi-Q Records XRCD24
The Cars – Shake It Up 180g Mofi Vinyl
Numbered Edition 180-gram LP Sourced from Original Master Tapes
A return to form after the departure that was 1980's muddled Panorama, the Cars' Shake It Up bursts forth with a rich assembly of synthesizers, drum machines, electronic blips, and catchy melodies that make it an early 80s pop staple. Known the world over, the famous title track proves the band's arrangement skills were in perfect shape and set the stage for a record overflowing with memorable hooks and complementary rock riffs.
Bill Evans and Jim Hall – Undercurrent Mobile Fidelity Vinyl
Diverse Set Encompasses Ballads, Waltzes, Hard-Swinging Bop
Bill Evans catapulted to the top of the jazz world in June 1961 after reeling off three straight masterpiece sessions at New York's Village Vanguard with his trio. Yet the emotional highs came to a screeching halt shortly thereafter when bassist Scott LaFaro died in a car accident. Devastated, Evans refrained from playing for nearly a year. If not for an inspirational collaboration of tremendous creative outpouring, one wonders what fate may have befallen Evans. Undercurrent, the outcome of two studio sessions with guitarist Jim Hall, is that project.
Hall and Oates – H2O 180g Mofi Vinyl
1982 Multi-Platinum Smash Both Creatively Ambitious and Commercially Successful
Hall and Oates' biggest-selling album also stands as their most ambitious. Recorded in 1982, when the duo practically owned the pop market, H20 strikes a keen equilibrium between polish, melody, muscle, and craft. The vocalists expand the emotional reach of their songwriting, and shepherd meticulous production and measured arrangements toward thrilling intersections of blue-eyed soul, edge new wave, soft rock, and dance. Staked to two giant singles, the double-platinum affair lingers as the group's last masterwork.
Shoji Yokouchi Trio Yuri Tashiro Greensleeves
This is the LA & OC Audio Society version released in an edition of 500 copies on red vinyl. Cover has unique sticker identifying limited edition.
Upon his death in 1996, many within the jazz community heaped fulsome praise on Shoji Yokouchi. To this day, he remains one of Japan's finest jazz guitarists; a dexterous and inventive guitarist capable of playing immaculate, blues-inspired solos on both electric and acoustic guitars. Proof of his skills is provided by this reissue of Greensleeves, an album he recorded in 1978 alongside his regular "Trio" and organist Yuri Tashiro. Musically, the album offers an attractive blend of jazz-funk, "trad" and fusion tracks laden with impeccable solos from both Yokouchi and Tashiro. The best combination of the two players' styles can be found on "Misty", a fine blend of undulating fairground organ flourishes and evocative Spanish guitar.
CHASING THE DRAGON – Beethoven Piano Sonatas: Moonlight & Pathetique Direct Cut CD
Sam Cooke – Night Beat – Analogue Productions 45RPM Vinyl
Clearly Sam Cooke’s most intimate, most soulful and ultimately most real recording. This one has the feel of a private performance captured after hours when the audience had gone home and the singer was singing purely for the love of his songs. The performance put forth is simply straight from Cooke’s soul. His selection of songs include spiritual, bluesy ballads and gospel classics. Cooke owns these songs, making each interpretation all his own. This is warm music that’s easy to connect with. Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound from the original three-track masters.
Originally released in 1963.
