<I>Mirage</I> /ma-'r&#228;zh/ <I>n</I> [F, fr <I>mirer</I> to look at. fr. L <I>mirari</I>] <B>1</B>: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror... <B>2</B>: something illusory and unattainable, like a mirage.

<I>Mirage</I> /ma-'r&#228;zh/ <I>n</I> [F, fr <I>mirer</I> to look at. fr. L <I>mirari</I>] <B>1</B>: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror... <B>2</B>: something illusory and unattainable, like a mirage.

<I>Mirage</I> /ma-'r&#228;zh/ <I>n</I> [F, fr <I>mirer</I> to look at. fr. L <I>mirari</I>] <B>1</B>: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror... <B>2</B>: something illusory and unattainable, like a mirage.

<I>Mirage</I> /ma-'r&#228;zh/ <I>n</I> [F, fr <I>mirer</I> to look at. fr. L <I>mirari</I>] <B>1</B>: an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror... <B>2</B>: something illusory and unattainable, like a mirage.

The first hybrid SACDs produced and recorded in Russia have made their way to North America. The new Russian company responsible for the recordings, Essential Music, issues them on the Caro Mitis label, whose name is Latin for "succulent fruit." All are recorded in multichannel DSD and released as hybrid SACD/CDs. Caro Mitis releases are imported by Todd Garfinkle of <A HREF="http://www.marecordings.com">M&bull;A Recordings</A>. Garfinkle himself has been responsible for some of the most enjoyable audiophile recordings of unusual performers and repertoire in the catalog.

This almost 10-year-old <I>Billboard</I> article is still timely. The next time a record label whinges about how the major labels are important cultural institutions preserving our musical patrimony, I'm going to email him this. Grrrr.