Must Have Jazz Recordings

Sjoerd Staal — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Must Have Jazz Recordings is another sampler of Stereo Jazz recordings made by audio designer, producer and recording engineer David Manley. The sampler features Jazz stars including Brown Burnett, James Leary, Karen Knowles, Kate McGarry, Munyungo Jackson, Sam Sklair, Sekou Bunch, Todd Cochran, Toolbox and Vickie Leigh.

Manley designed the VTL Vital Music Studio in Chino, California, for “purist” recording techniques only, with all the music played “live” and captured through a Manley “Gold Reference” Stereo Condenser Microphone, straight onto 2 Stereo Tracks.

The Studer C37 Analog Tape Deck with Manley pure tube circuitry, at 15 ips, was used with no noise reduction and mastered through the dCS Converter A/D to create the Stereo DSD master.

The heart and soul of any recorded sound must surely be the acoustical properties of the room or hall itself, and the microphones being used within that acoustic. Sound, pure and simple…music, powerful and satisfying.

Brown Burnett
James Leary
Karen Knowles
Kate McGarry
Munyungo Jackson
Sam Sklair
Sekou Bunch
Todd Cochran
Toolbox
Vickie Leigh

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Moonglow

Sjoerd Staal — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

I first heard of Karen Knowles from an Australian audiophile friend who was visiting the April ’92 Stereophile Show – “She’s been the female lead-singer of “The Seekers” y’ know, a major Aussie star in her own right…bigger than “Ben Hur”, y’ know…and she’s heard some of your Vital albums and she wants to record with you…seriously, y’ know…”

DAT-dubs of previous records and newer demos duly arrived from Karen, and we struck up a “phone and fax” relationship, based around her willingness to come all the way from “Down Under” to record with us in Chino, California.

We owed her everything of the best; especially, we had to offer her a musical-director and arranger of the highest echelon: for me there could only be one choice: my longtime British partner Sam Sklair, currently residing in Johannesburg.

Ever enthusiastic about my ideas, Sam immediately agreed to hop on a plane, and arrived a week or so before Karen herself.

Sam and I were totally taken with Karen; her gutsy, talented singing and calm-under-fire confidence during the sessions. The resulting combination of Australian, British, and Californian endeavors comes through on this album. Me? Pleased? More than that, I’m simply over the…whatsit? moon? Yes.

David Manley, California, 1992

Karen Knowles – Vocals
Frank Crawford – Piano, Keyboards
Bruce Bishop – Acoustic Guitar, Dobro
John Leftwich – Bass
Darek Oles – Bass
Josh Sklair – Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Efrain Toro – Drums & Percussion
Bob Summers – Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Larry Klimas – Saxophones (alto, tenor), Alto Flute
EveAnna Manley – Baritone Saxophone
Sam Sklair – Arranger, Music Director, Clarinet
Vickie Leigh, Bruce Bishop – Backing Vocals

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Knowles Archives - NativeDSD Music

Must Have Jazz Recordings

Moonglow