Pick Up Review
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Get Up With It [Blu-spec CD2]Miles DavisSuperior to EU + US releasesI have loved this for 25 years and have bought French and US CD releases over the years. The sound of this Blu-spec CD2 is far superior.
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Live in Berlin 2007 [Limited Release]Allan HoldsworthLegendary A.H. nice recordingVery good document of this period and line up with the legendary AH; a good FM capture, nice fat sound, pretty much as best as could be for an FM source. Not digital source, afaik...
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Further Ahead: Live in Finland (1964-1969)Bill EvansNice!!!This is a compilation worth having. Having different trios on one record, with more than one version of the same song, makes it very interesting to hear the nuances each player brings to the vibe. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the noise floor being too high on vinyl, but the CD version sounds wonderful, surprisingly clear for tapes this old. Great packaging from the original source and from CDJapan; it includes a fully translated booklet in Japanese, and the obi covers the entire back, translating the original back cover.
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Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Studio Recordings [UHQCD]Bill Evans TrioGood editionThe master on this reissue is noticeably different from the original vinyl and first CD, but still with the original character of sound. Great edition for completionists since it comes with all the alternate takes, also great material for those who study Mr. Evans playing, the alternate takes let you compare directly with the chosen versions for official release, and have a closer look at the approach Evans had to improvising the same solo with different expression or nuances, see how he developed his style in these early stages. Comes with a couple interesting add-ons, liner notes and something that looks like a small poster, not a fan of paper sleeve packaging because of the cd scratching but still can be handled with care.
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Peace Of Mind - Studio Ghibli Meets Jazz Best -Kazumi Tateishi TrioDelightfulI love jazz and I love Ghibli so this has become my new favorite soundtrack. Every song feels fresh and the compositions don’t get boring. I enjoy listening to every track on the CD. I like playing it while drawing and painting. Relaxing and cheerful.
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Giant Steps - 60th Anniversary Edition [SHM-CD]John ColtraneThe jazz legend's iconic albumGiant Steps is one of the acknowledged masterworks of jazz and this special two-CD edition was a good idea. These recordings are important as one of the key sessions of modern jazz in 1959 and as recordings that shaped jazz thereafter. Coltrane is on great form from beginning to end, faithfully followed and supported by piano, bass and drums.
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John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman [SHM-SACD] [Limited Release] [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)]John Coltrane / Johnny HartmanGet your hands on this albumA wonderful collaboration between a horn player and a singer, perhaps the greatest of all time. This delicate, seductive album stands immortalised in time as tribute, a nod to the genius that was Coltrane/Hartman. The more you listen to it, the more subtle genius details reveal themselves to you, in particular how the saxophone helps tell the story with nuance, sensitivity and re-spect.
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Sir. [UHQCD]David Matthews, Eddie Gomez & Steve GaddThis is a very sweet jazz trio sessionA terrific recording of nice, softly swinging standards and a few other things. Steve Gadd is a great brush player and plays them on almost all of this recording. Eddie Gomez plays like you'd expect, awesome. With the background these gentlemen have in so many different kinds of music, it seems like they are relaxing and enjoying each other's playing.
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Undercover - Live In The Village VanguardKurt Rosenwinkel QuartetRosenwinkel's masterful quartetThere are only a handful of contemporary guitarists that one must consistently keep abreast of in order to understand the present state of music. Along with Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel is in that tier, so every release is always a thrill.
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We Get Requests [SHM-SACD] [Limited Release][Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)]The Oscar Peterson TrioHis classic trio at a creative peakThe trio achieves a flawless blend of rhythm, subtlety, and technical brilliance, seamlessly weaving the era’s bossa nova influences with the trio’s signature jazz swing, demonstrating their exceptional ability to infuse familiar styles with fresh energy and creative sophistication. Each track on We Get Requests highlights the musicians’ remarkable synergy. Peterson’s inventive phrasing, Brown’s creative bass lines, and Thigpen’s nuanced rhythms create a vibrant and profound sound that is uniquely their own.
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Jazz Samba [SHM-SACD] [Limited Release] [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)]Stan Getz/Charlie ByrdClassic jazz albumGreat version of a class jazz album. SHM-SACD sounds fantastic. Great packaging. Great price. Highly recommended.
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Wardenclyffe Tower [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]
Allan HoldsworthWardenclyffe Tower [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]Allan HoldsworthExcellentIt is one of my favourite guitar artist's. Sound is very good and album also. I recommend to others as well.
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None Too Soon [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]
Allan HoldsworthNone Too Soon [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]Allan HoldsworthExcellentVery talented guitarist and one of my favourites. Album and sound are very good. I recommend to others as well.
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Then! [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]
Allan HoldsworthThen! [Limited Edition] [SACD Hybrid] [Cardboard Sleeve]Allan HoldsworthExcellentVery good album. My favourite guitar player and very talented artist. Sound is good. I recommend to others as well.
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Wild is the Wind [UHQCD] [Limited Release]Nina SimoneGreat release!One of my all time favourite albums by female singer. Beautiful re-issue on UHQCD and great sound! An absolute must buy.
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Misty - Live At Jazz isTsuyoshi Yamamoto TrioCaptivating Live PerformanceMisty - Live At Jazz is is a breathtaking live performance that captures the essence of Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio’s brilliance. From the first note, you’re enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere where every note feels alive, resonating with passion and expertise. The trio’s chemistry is undeniable, and their ability to improvise while maintaining such intricate harmony is awe-inspiring. The live recording adds an exciting dimension, making it feel as though you are right there in the audience, experiencing the performance firsthand. Yamamoto’s piano shines with such sensitivity and intensity, complemented perfectly by the bass and drums. The dynamics are spot on, and the energy of the live setting really elevates the listening experience. The vinyl pressing is excellent, providing rich, warm sound that makes the music come alive. Highly recommended for any jazz lover or collector!
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Yesterday One MoreNicki ParrottBeautiful Jazz MasterpieceAs a long-time jazz enthusiast, I was excited to listen to Kono Subarashiki Sekai, and it did not disappoint. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s trio delivers an exceptional mix of intricate melodies, smooth improvisation, and deep emotion throughout the album. The balance between rhythm and harmony is masterfully executed, creating a beautiful musical landscape. The standout tracks showcase their unique chemistry and ability to tell a story without words. The piano work by Yamamoto is delicate yet powerful, and the accompanying bass and drums provide a solid foundation that allows the melodies to truly shine. The vinyl pressing itself is superb, with rich, warm tones that truly capture the essence of jazz. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz fan or a newcomer, this album is an absolute must-have for your collection. Highly recommended!
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Africa Deluxe Edition [Limited Release]Pharoah SandersOne of his best albumsAfrica is a mix of post bop and avant-garde jazz. Pharoah Sanders is a great explorer and his creative powers are quite apparent on Africa.
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The Chopin ProjectKurt Rosenwinkel & Jean-Paul BrodbeckBon appetite!The Chopin Project is clearly a canvas of musical conversation that takes place within the quartet; a kind of story crafted from selected Chopin works. One could say that Chopin’s melodies, slightly improvised the first time round serve as a compass point for each musician to unravel their own personal dialogue with Chopin. This album can only therefore be described as a masterclass in re-imagining one of the greatest classical composers of our time, performed by some of the greatest contemporary musicians of our time.
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The Other Side Of Abbey Road [SHM-CD]George BensonNot only is it a delight for Benson fansThe record fits together as a whole more tightly than any other George Benson project, thanks to his versatile talents and the miraculous overarching unity of the Beatles' songs.
