Dsd Jazz

Miles Davis - Seven Steps To Heaven (1963) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1209}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 276 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 111 Mb | Full Artwork
© 1963, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1209 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet

A key point in the development of the Miles Davis sound of the 60s – his first album to feature work from Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – augmented by some equally nice work on other tracks from Victor Feldman and Frank Butler! The sound here is beautifully spare – a wonderful exploration of ideas that Miles had been putting forth on some other albums for Columbia, but crafted here with a vision that's apparent in the very first note – and which transforms both the tunes and the work of the players into a focused, near-perfect sound all the way through.

Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come (1961) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1208}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 252 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb | Full Artwork
© 1961, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1208 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Cool / Hard Bop / Trumpet

The tenor sax here makes the album a standout – as John Coltrane still works with Miles Davis on 2 tracks for the record, but Blue Note stalwart Hank Mobley joins in on the rest! The approach is similar to that of the classic Coltrane/Davis years – and in a way, the record's kind of a swan song to that period – one of the last studio session that Miles would cut in such an unabashedly sweet and lyrical way. And while Mobley's always better known for his harder-blown notes at Blue Note, he sounds totally great here next to Davis – really keeping up the gentle spirit and spaciousness of the record, and working with a gentleness that surpasses even his work on the legendary Soul Station album. Rhythm is by the trio of Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb.

Art Farmer Quintet - At Boomers #2 (1976) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 355 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 116 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 215 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD Mastering
© 1976, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9202
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Hard Bop / Flugelhorn

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. This exciting live set by Art Farmer is also culled from the same 1976 performances as the earlier album Live at Boomer's. Although the full quintet had not rehearsed prior to the engagement with Clifford Jordan (the rhythm section, consisting of Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins, had been working together with Farmer for over a year), the sparks fly as they stretch out on each of the four tracks present.

Cedar Walton - Pit Inn (1974) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000 UCCJ-9139}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 330 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 128 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 134 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD Mastering
© 1974, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9139
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

A wonderful album from the great Cedar Walton trio that featured Sam Jones on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – a really beautiful group of musicians who completely transformed the sound of the piano trio in the 70s! The group played together often in the 70s, and they've never sounded better than on an album like this – freely soulful and dancing, with Walton in firm command of his talents – sometimes coming on with the strength of his early 60s material, but always opening up with a more exploratory vibe too. Walton worked often in this mode for the decades that followed this set – but this Japanese album is almost the start of that great legacy, and still one of the best from this group! Titles include "Con Alma", "Suite Sunday", "Suntory Blues", and "Fantasy In D".

Lee Konitz - You and Lee (1959) {Japan Verve DSD Mini LP UCCV-9329 rel 2007}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 202 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 79 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1959, 2007 Verve Music Japan | UCCV-932 | DSD mastering
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Big Band / Saxophone

A beautiful lost session from Lee Konitz – one that has him blowing beautifully over larger backings penned by Jimmy Giuffre – all done with that great blend of modern and swing that Jimmy was bringing to his best work of the 50s! Bill Evans and Jim Hall provide support in the rhythm section, using their fluid styles of piano and guitar to gently swing the tunes without pushing too much on the bottom – so that Lee's flowing solos on alto are allowed to glide majestically over the top! The Konitz presented here is a rare one, and an extremely charming player who's more concerned with tone and soul than on some of his other more modern outings of the time.

Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine (1964) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1211}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 365 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 154 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 158 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1964, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1211 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modal Music / Trumpet

One of the finest live albums in the history of jazz, My Funny Valentine presents the Miles Davis Quintet live at the Lincoln Centre's Philharmonic Hall in 1964. Surrounded by the vibrant and youthful rhythm section of Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass) and Tony Williams (drums), Davis was enjoying a strong new surge of creativity, and played with a stunning level of invention and passion throughout. The resonance of the long title track - one of those flawless performances that happens only very occasionally - dominates the record. Front-line partner George Coleman (tenor saxophone) chose a good evening to play some of the most beautiful solos of his life.

Art Farmer - The Summer Knows (1976) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 224 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 83 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 206 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD Mastering
© 1976, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9177
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Hard Bop / Flugelhorn

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. Gently graceful work from Art Farmer – and a wonderful example of the way he was expanding his talents in the 70s! The set's got a slow burning sensuality that seems to bring even more soul out of Farmer's work on flugelhorn than before – especially on the mellower cuts, which seem especially written as showcases for Art's masterful examples of understatement. But don't go thinking that the album's all ballads, because with a rhythm section that includes Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins, the tracks move along nicely, even when in a gentler mode. Titles include "The Summer Knows", "Ditty", "Manha Do Carnaval", and "When I Fall In Love".

Art Farmer - To Duke With Love (1975) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000 UCCJ-9142}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 211 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 125 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD Mastering
© 1975, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9142
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Hard Bop / Flugelhorn

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. A pretty sweet 70s set from Art Farmer – ostensibly a tribute to Duke Ellington, but really more of a gently soulful session in the mode of Art's best work of the decade! The group is the Cedar Walton trio with Walton on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all matching Art's lyrical work beautifully, in a soulfully swinging way that transforms familiar Ellington numbers into new vehicles for creative expression. Farmer's at the height of his powers, and tracks include "Love You Madly", "Lush Life", "In A Sentimental Mood", and "The Star Crossed Lovers".

Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight (1956) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition Analog Collection SICP 1201}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 191 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb | Full Artwork
© 1956, 2006 Sony Music Japan / Columbia | SICP 1201 | DSD | HQD High Quality Disc
Jazz / Cool / Hard Bop / Trumpet

The combination of attitude and intellect was irresistible. Beginning with ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT and proceeding through a remarkable succession of famous recordings over the next 30 years, Miles Davis became one of the greatest soloists, arrangers and talent scouts in the history of American music. People who didn't own a single jazz record came to know his name–Miles was a jazz icon.

Elton Dean - Elton Dean (1972) {2013 Japan Mini LP Blu-spec DSD Remaster SICP 30324}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 460 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 164 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 18 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1972, 2013 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICP 30324
Jazz / Modern Creative / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz

Cardboard sleeve reissue features remastering in 2013 and the high-fidelity Blu-spec CD2 format (compatible with standard CD players). Includes bonus track(s) (subject to change). A welcome reissue of music first recorded in 1971 and 1972, shortly before Dean left the popular British jazz-rock group the Soft Machine, which he had officially joined only a short time earlier, in late 1969. On this recording, Dean plays alto sax, saxello and electric piano and is aided by a group of musicians which includes two additional Soft Machine members, Mike Ratledge on organ and electric piano and Roy Babbington on string bass.