Showing posts with label Hybrid SACD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hybrid SACD. Show all posts

5/10/2017

Rock-Blues-World Review: Santana-Lotus (Hybrid SACD)

Release Date: January 6, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity

I want to start by saying that I am big fan of Santana and most of his musical output. I have a lot of his catalog at my immediate disposal. I have also been one of those people that believe his earlier lineups were the most original and progressive. I personally enjoy the first three albums the most, which enabled me to appreciate everything that came after that in different ways. With a new set of ears and looking inward spiritually, I would consider what he was presenting. When he started getting more commercial is when many people may have lost interest. I think I have heard one album that I thought was mediocre in over 30 years, so not a bad track for my listening tastes. This is my preference and opinion of course. To each his own as they say.

Anyone familiar with Santana knows about Lotus. As notated on the Audio Fidelity site: Lotus is a 1974 live album by Santana, recorded at the Osaka Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan in 1973. It was originally released in 1974 as a triple vinyl LP in Japan only. 

A little history regarding the release as follows:

The first U.S. release was in 1991 as a 2-CD set. Lotus has been re-issued on vinyl in the Netherlands and on CD in Japan in 2006 as a 3-CD set. It was also re-issued as a 3-LP set in the U.S. in 2013, and as a 3-CD hybrid SACD with seven previously unreleased bonus tracks in 2017 (a very high priced set). So, it is safe to say this recording has gone through several iterations since its inception a and has stood the test of time as one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. 

Now we have the superb version issued by Audio Fidelity, a two-disc Hybrid SACD that brings the concert to life with a crisp robust remastered take on the legendary performance. Santana Mark II was a continuation of the Mark I sound that was a melting pot of Latin-World-Rock-Blues-Jazz Music.  It was extremely innovative and one of the progenitors to the World Music that would arrive in the future. Some of the players switched seats however their sound remained intact and this release proves out that fact repeatedly.

Santana has influenced many musicians over the years however it is the early distinctly original rock fusion he presented that paved the way too many inroads into music then and today. I got into the early Santana music after I had already absorbed Return to Forever, Al DiMeola, Jean Luc-Ponty etc. So, for my journey it was a logical transition and very enjoyable I might add. 

Santana was like Hendrix, melding several genres and effects and taking his six-string to new heights. You could only experience that in a live setting and Lotus captures some incredible moments that were never reproduced again. His sound is very distinct and you know it when you hear it.

Audio Fidelity has been one of the anchor labels for special edition CDs and LP’s for many years now. This is the second run of the Lotus Hybrid SACD, which comes as no surprise. They release great titles with unmatched packaging and sound. As always I suggest getting your copy before they disappear.

Whether you’re a musician, producer, collector or audiophile, there is something here to appreciate for everyone. Lotus is a truly iconic release honored in the most prolific way possible by Audio Fidelity.

The Lotus Santana Line Up Included:
    Carlos Santana – lead guitar, Latin percussion
    Leon Thomas – maracas, vocals, Latin percussion
    Tom Coster – Hammond organ, electric piano, Yamaha organ, Latin percussion
    Richard Kermode – Hammond organ, electric piano, Latin percussion
    Doug Rauch – bass
    Armando Peraza – congas, bongos, Latin percussion
    José "Chepito" Areas – timbales, congas, Latin percussion
    Michael Shrieve – drums

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
May 10, 2017
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Tracks:

Disc One:
 

01. Going Home
02. A-1 Funk
03. Every Step of the Way
04. Black Magic Woman
05. Gypsy Queen
06. Oye Como Va
07. Yours Is the Light
08. Batuka
09. Xibaba (She-Ba-Ba)
10. Stone Flower (Introduction)
11. Waiting
12. Castillos de Arena Part 1 (Sand Castle)
13. Free Angela
14. Samba de Sausalito


Disc Two:
 

01. Mantra
02. Kyoto (Drum Solo)
03. Castillos de Arena Part 2 (Sand Castle)
04. Incident at Neshabur
05. Se a Cabo

 

4/07/2017

Classic Rock Review: Grand Funk-All The Girls In The World Beware-Hybrid SACD

Release Date: February 24, 2017
Label: Audio Fidelity

Grand Funk’s All The Girls In The World Beware was a different release for the band. From track to track you didn’t know what to expect. For some fans that never sets that well however I remember loving this album. To listen again as an entirely different person with ears that are paying attention to all the nuances, I quickly realized there was more going on here than I realized.

It takes a process like Audio Fidelity’s Hybrid SACD format to bring out all the details you may have missed the first time around. What I heard besides a good rock album to spin at one of the teenage parties we had back in the day, is a band fully matured and embracing all the elements of rock, pop, funk and blues.

The title track is one funky workout particularly on the bass. Farner cuts loose with some rap like high speed vocals and phrasing to keep up with Mel Schacher’s crazy Jaco like riffs (and I am not saying he was anywhere near Jaco’s expertise, I am pointing out the dominance of the instrument). It is more than that galloping bass in many rock scenarios, it is quite involved. Then you get the less serious band on the spoof “Look At Granny Run Run.” You can tell they were loose and having some fun with that one. 

Then it gets more serious with lyrics and music on “Good & Evil.” That track just oozes with emotion like a slow rockin’ blues amped up to the next level. Farner could not only sing but man could he jam on the six-string. The unusual (at his point in their career) marathon ends after nearly 8 minutes of high octane musicianship. Craig Frost’s organ sure added another atmospheric layer to the track as well, it always did but this time it was decidedly more dark and mysterious. This track showed everyone that they were still the great musicians they always were and the pop oriented tunes were for hit radio to keep the label happy. Tracks like “Good & Evil” were for the longtime fans that remember when they were a three-piece banging out songs like “Paranoid” and “Inside Looking Out.” 

Of course, “Bad Time” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” were big hits. Those songs never get old. Again, Mel’s bass totally steals the show on “Some Kind Of Wonderful.”  Mark and Don made a great vocal duo as well and it had quite an impact when they joined forces. Two of the best voices in rock could not be beat. 

All The Girls In The World Beware was another good choice to add to the Audio Fidelity archives but my thought is any GF album would be! Great music, sounds, the hooks, and especially all the details, come popping out on this remastered special edition limited numbered release.

 
24x12 Cartoon Poster of Grand Funk That Came With The Original Release on LP






4.5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 7, 2017
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music

Tracks: 
01. Responsibility   
02. Runnin'   
03. Life   
04. Look At Granny Run Run   
05. Memories   
06. All The Girls In The World Beware   
07. Wild   
08. Good & Evil   
09. Bad Time   
10  Some Kind Of Wonderful