Simpler Times is Yarlung’s first album to make its debut in DSD. Before the tape release, before the CD, before vinyl and before all other high resolution digital formats. Sophisticated Lady jazz quartet is also the first jazz group with whom Yarlung has collaborated on a recording, so this is a double debut.
Simpler Times follows Sophisticated Lady’s highly acclaimed self-titled debut album, from executive producer John Pruit:
“Sophisticated Lady jazz quartet pays homage to the Great Tradition of American jazz but most of their repertoire is written by members of the quartet. Simpler Times celebrates these original tunes, especially those by the great Gary Wicks, our bass player. Unlike the majority of contemporary jazz recordings, which are carefully and surgically perfected in postproduction, this album remains raw and fresh. These tracks are complete takes, “live to tape,” without editing. The music on this recording is how Sophisticated Lady plays without the help of digital magic. The quartet rehearsed and performed some of these tracks before our recording but at least half are the first time through; the quartet discussed the tunes and who would take what solo in which order but without rehearsal. I wanted the intensity of raw improvisation. This is possible when superb musicians tackle new material together, listening carefully to each other and playing as a single organism. Some melodies, I played for them on the piano right before our take and the quartet improvised from there. Music cannot get fresher than this.”
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 00:31:41
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | YAR65006DSD2 |
| Qualities | DSD 512 fs, DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
| Genres | |
| Mastering Engineer | Yarlung makes recordings in concert halls, not studios. Our albums capture the sound of our musicians playing in real acoustic spaces. Yarlung recorded this album directly to two tracks of RMGI 468 analog tape running at 15 ips, with no mixer. We used the Hapi converter and Pyramix software from Merging Technologies in Switzerland to make these transfers to DSD. |
| Microphones | AKG C24, C12 |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Producer | Bob Attiyeh |
| Recording Engineer | Bob Attiyeh |
| Recording location | Brain and Creativity Institues Cammelleri Hall, USC, Los Angeles |
| Recording Type & Bit Rate | Analog to DSD256 |
| Release Date | February 20, 2015 |
Press reviews
author of 11 books including Jazz On Record 1917-76 and Jazz On Film
The Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet’s debut recording should be of great interest to fans of forward-looking straight ahead jazz. Each of the four musicians is excellent both as soloists and in ensembles, the music that they perform ranges from melodic versions of standards to lyrical originals and freer explorations, and their subtle playing keeps one guessing. This CD is well worth exploring and I certainly recommend it.
RecordCollectorNews.com
Look out Brubeck, Sophisticated Lady’s remarkable debut should perhaps be re-titled TAKE ONE. Why? Each tune was captured in one take! The 60+ minute CD also celebrates Yarlung’s audiophile venture into JAZZ with a splatter of Chet Baker’s seductive, kicked-back Californication daubed with a drizzle of Miles at his mellowest. No matter how busy your day, an evening spin through this one will definitely move your mood .
Positive Feedback
One of those very cool involving jazz performances that bring you into the music from the very first note. The only thing this recording is missing are the expensive tickets and the sticky floor. It has become a reference of mine for space, front to back and left to right, and natural timbres.
Billy Mitchell
I like “Sophisticated Lady.” A unique voice. Great improvising. One can hear everything on this recording, all the nuances and textures. I can really listen to this music because they have their own classic style. So much jazz is all the same today. “Sophisticated Lady” is refreshing.
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