Review: Famously, John Coltrane recorded the music on Coltrane Plays The Blues during the sessions for the more celebrated and ground-breaking My Favourite Things, with his former label Atlantic - who had paid for the sessions - initially releasing the album against his wishes. In many ways it's great they did, because it remains one of jazz's truly great sets - albeit one that at the time was overshadowed by the saxophonist's other work of the 1960s. It's breezy, emotive, occasionally smoky and - as you'd expect from the title - effortlessly bluesy, with Coltrane improvising superb sax solos atop a bed of bass (played by Steve Davis), drums (Elvin Jones) and piano (McCoy Tyner). This reissue is a "hybrid CD", containing both regular and 'super audio' versions. For those with access to the latter technology, the album has never sounded better.
Review: As you can guess from the title, this is a follow up to Kind of Blue, one of the most famous jazz albums of all time. The iconic 1959 recordings radiate their own vibe while showcasing Davis's transformative approach to jazz. The opener impresses with elegant trumpet lines and a meticulous rhythm section that is a fine showcase of restraint that grows from delicate nuances to fluid improvisation. As the album unfolds, Davis's intuitive synergy with his bandmates shines and intricate complexities turn into accessible melodies. The hauntingly beautiful 'Blue in Green' stands out for its depth and overall the record captures a pivotal moment in Davis's evolution.
Review: Dire Straits bowed out in style when they released On Every Street in 1991. They'd taken their time since the knockout success of Brothers In Arms, waiting six years to deliver a follow-up which would satisfy fans of their inimitable sound. Mark Knopfler's dusky tones weave many a tale, and there's that pervading sentimental mood hanging over the record like a Dire Straits album should have, but there's also some of those Southern boogie rhythm sections to lock onto, not least on the drawn out splendour of 'Calling Elvis'. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab are going all-out on the reissue treatment for this edition, presented in a gatefold sleeve on Super Audio CD.
Review: Fleetwood Mac's Tango in the Night is a showcase of intricate production and melodic mastery, packed with enduring hits. The album's production, co-led by Buckingham and Richard Dashut, is brimming with finely tuned atmospherics, textured harmonies and pristine instrumentals, blending electronic and acoustic sounds with groundbreaking clarity. Mobile Fidelity's SACD reissue, sourced from the original tapes, amplifies these details, allowing listeners to experience the layered vocal and instrumental arrangements with heightened transparency and depth. Featuring 'Big Love', 'Everywhere', 'Seven Wonders' and 'Little Lies', the hits are here in abundance. Crafted over 18 months, this 1987 triple-platinum album pushed Lindsey Buckingham's perfectionism to its limits, leading him to depart shortly after its completion. From Buckingham's breathy vocals in 'Big Love' to Christine McVie's warm delivery in 'Everywhere', each song reflects a unique alchemy among the band members. The title track's synthesised harp and 'Little Lies'' lush background vocals by Stevie Nicks elevate the listening experience, making Tango in the Night both sonically expansive and emotionally resonant. As Fleetwood Mac's last album featuring its classic lineup, it stands as a high point in pop-rock production, a spellbinding mix of artistry and innovation.
Review: Off the Wall isn't just an album; it's a coronation. This is where Michael Jackson truly takes the throne, cementing his reign as the King of Pop. Released in 1979, this nine-times platinum landmark is a visionary blend of funk, disco, soul and r&b, a vibrant tapestry of sound that still shimmers with life four decades later. Featuring timeless hits like 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock With You', Off the Wall is a testament to Jackson's unparalleled talent and innovative spirit. Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition hybrid SACD presents this classic album in all its audiophile glory. Sourced from the original master tapes, this reissue explodes with energy, playing with tremendous clarity, detail, and dynamics. Every note, every beat, every vocal nuance is rendered with stunning precision, allowing you to experience Off the Wall as if you were in the studio with Jackson himself. Housed in mini-LP-style packaging, complete with the iconic tuxedo-clad album cover, this SACD is a must-have for any serious music lover. It's a chance to rediscover a masterpiece, to immerse yourself in the magic of Michael Jackson at his creative peak. From the infectious grooves of 'Workin' Day and Night' to the heartfelt ballad 'She's Out of My Life', Off the Wall is a timeless classic that deserves to be heard in its purest form. This Mobile Fidelity reissue delivers just that.
Review: Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water stands as a timeless masterpiece, effortlessly blending diverse musical styles with poignant lyrical themes. From the iconic title track to lesser-known gems like 'Keep the Customer Satisfied,' each song is a revelation of Simon and Garfunkel's musical evolution and collaborative spirit. The album's rich sonic details, highlighted by subtle remastering, brings out the instruments and vocals out like none other before. Bridge serves as both a reflection of its era and a timeless testament to friendship and musical innovation. As Simon & Garfunkel's swan song, it resonates with a poignant, bittersweet charm that transcends generations. This edition is released on Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's limited numbered special Hybrid SACD. Consider this the best digital version possible that has ever been released.
Review: Bruce Springsteen's celebrated debut album returns to stores, this time in a "hybrid" remastered form, which features both regular and "super audio" versions. Released way back in January 1973, the set announced the arrival of "the Boss" as a future great, received warm reviews (at the time, Rolling Stone critic Lester Bangs highlighted the dexterity and social commentary of Springsteen's lyrics), and is now considered one of the greatest debut albums of all time. It has certainly held up well, with Springsteen and has band delivering a mixture of bluesy rockers, semi-acoustic treats, surprisingly funky workouts, and songs that still sound as fresh and potent as they did half a century ago.
Review: Analogue Productions are the label to take on the task of producing high-end editions of Steely Dan's albums, given their obsessive approach to remastering, pressing and every single minute detail of the production process. After all, this was the band who popularised such an approach in the studio. Katy Lied was the fourth album from Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and it's as sensational as any Dan album from the rollicking romp of 'Black Friday' to the slinky boogie of 'Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More'. This Super Audio CD version is surely the true audiophile's choice, free of any sonic interference and with every speck of sound rendered in crystal clear quality, just how the Dan would want it.
Cans & Brahms (extracts from Brahams 4th symphony in E minor third movement)
We Have Heaven
South Side Of The Sky
Five Per Cent For Nothing
Long Distance Runaround
The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)
Mood For A Day
Heart Of The Sunrise
Review: The SACD version of one of the most important progressive rock albums, which catapulted progressive rock from a experimental and avante garde genre into a well-respected style of rock music, while forging a path for symphonic rock pieces of longer expression to become commonplace. The enhanced clarity and depth highlight every intricate detail of the band's ambitious arrangements, making this the definitive digital edition. The album's tracks shine brighter than ever. 'Roundabout' bursts with energy, its iconic guitar intro and driving rhythm section sounding crisp and vivid. 'South Side of the Sky' reveals its layered complexity, with the interplay between piano, vocals and searing guitar more dynamic than ever. The atmospheric 'Heart of the Sunrise' benefits from the SACD's superior soundstage, emphasising its sweeping contrasts between serene melodies and thunderous intensity. Each member's contribution feels distinct yet perfectly integrated, with the enhanced fidelity highlighting the virtuosity of their performances.
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