Evosound has reissued the 1974 jazz fusion album “One,” the second solo album by keyboardist Bob James. Produced by Creed Taylor and recorded at the well-known Van Gelder Studios, the record is a progressive pre curser to the smooth jazz styles that followed. Remastered from the original analogue stereo master tapes and transferred using high resolution digital technology. The analog warmth has been nicely conveyed to the stereo hybrid SACD, which plays on both SACD and regular CD players. It is important to note that initial promotional material indicated that this was a multi-channel release, with audiophiles speculating that a new 5.1 mix had been derived from the original multi-track… Continue Reading

Just as the pandemic was roaring across America, surviving and alumni members of the Allman Brothers Band celebrated the legendary groups 50th anniversary. This one-time concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 10, 2020, has been recorded in HD video and offers both a high resolution 48kHz / 24-bitg LPCM stereo and Dolby True HD 5.1 audio track. This concert notably marked the first time in over five years that these musicians were on stage together performing their iconic hits, and the first time since the passing of founding members Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks. For those who were there and those who weren’t, the emotionally charged night strongly hits with vigor and… Continue Reading

Oh, how many different copies have I collected, let me count them now. From vinyl, to CD, the Quad DVD issued in 2013, and now these incredible all new Atmos and 5.1mixes on Blu-ray by Steven Wilson that hit the shelves in June 2021. Yes, and let me count the ways how at each step there was an incremental improvement that has spiked into pure audio ecstasy on this latest Gentle Giant “Free Hand” edition. It seems that Wilson has heard the immersion drum beat from fans and twiddled his free hand to make an awesome use of the surroundscape, easily ranking this as one of his best remixes to date. But, before I show all my cards at once, I must first note the significant differences between the… Continue Reading

I was first introduced to the UK prog supergroup Lifesigns over eight years ago while operating a streaming review site, and I was immediately hooked. Thanks to an extraordinarily successful crowd-funding campaign from over 40 countries, they have released their third album, “Altitude” which finds them taking the progressive rock genre to new heights with an accessible and energetic twist. Founding member John Young comments that the group style focuses on a positive and uplifting narrative that certainly is needed after these pandemic times. His writing has been influenced by luminary progressive rockers such as: Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis, Caravan, Camel, as well as fusion oriented… Continue Reading