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Henning Sommerro: Borders
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Nick Davies, cond., Sigmund Groven, harmonica; Roar Engelberg, pan flute; Marianne Thorsen, violin
2L 2L-173-SABD (Pure Audio Blu-ray & hybrid SACD/MQA CD; available for download as 7.1.4 48k Dolby Atmos TrueHD, 7.1.4 96k Auro-3D, 5.1 24/192 DTS:X, discrete 24/88.2 and DXD 7.1.4 immersive, and 24/192 PCM, 24/352.8 MQA and DXD stereo). 2023. Morten Lindberg, prod., balance, editing, mix, and mastering eng. TT: 48:04

As readers of my reviews will be aware, I judge stereo imaging accuracy by…

Jimmie Lunceford: Lunceford Special: 1939–1940
Columbia CK 65647 (CD). 2001. Charles L. Granata, reissue prod.; Andreas Meyer, remastering.

Lunceford led one of the swingingest bands of the big-band era, noted for its skin-tight precision, distinctive two-beat rhythm, and stylistic flexibility, embracing both sweet and hot jazz. This is an outstanding collection from the band's peak period, showcasing its silky ensemble work and such first-rate soloists as trumpeter Snooky Young, trombonist Trummy Young, and saxophonists Willie Smith and Joe Thomas.…

Kate Bush: The Dreaming
EMI America ST-17084 (LP). 1983. Kate Bush, prod.; Ron McMaster, eng.

Kate Bush's true masterpiece has lived in the shadows of its successor for four decades, a fate worsened by the resurgence last year of the later album's "Running Up That Hill." The tribal drumming and Fairlight synth were there on The Dreaming's opening and title tracks, without the believe-in-yourself messaging. Instead, we get a thirst for knowledge and an Australian automobile accident. Elsewhere, there's bank robbers and magicians, not to mention a…

Tower Of Power: 50 Years Of Funk & Soul: Live At The Fox Theater, Oakland
Chester Thompson, Jerry Cortez, Lenny Pickett, Emilio Castillo, David Garibaldi, others Artistry Music ART7078LP (LP/CD). 2021. Joe Vannelli, Emilio Castillo, prods.; many engs.

Tower of Power played the '60s San Francisco psychedelic ballrooms, but they were East Bay all the way—Oakland, baby! With a large, smokin' horn section, the Tower could find the soul pocket and kick it, almost like they were in Memphis. As the leadoff track clearly puts it, "It ain't no joke, they done…

Isabelle Faust: Stravinsky: Histoire Du Soldat (Version Français), élégie, Duo Concertant
Harmonia Mundi/Qobuz (24/96 FLAC). 2021. Martin Sauer, prod., Sauer, Julian Schwenkner, eng.

My relationship to contemporary classical musicians, like my current favorite violinist Isabelle Faust, is pure fanboy. More than simply admiring their playing or musical insight, I become enamored with their persona. And sometimes I become obsessed with their latest album. Such is the case with Faust's incredibly well-recorded version of Stravinsky's Faustian parable L'…

Kind of blue
For all their convenience, Bluetooth headphones and earbuds have fundamental problems.…

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
When people talk of the "Apple tax," they mean the priciness of Apple's products—a negative that for many of us is offset by how well the company's devices usually work, separately and together. Apple, though, has rarely emphasized interoperability with non-Apple devices, and the Bathys is no exception. Focal includes only a minijack cable and a USB-C–to–USB-C cord in the box; to use the built-in DAC, I had to go rummaging through drawers for a USB-C– to-Lightning adapter. The good news: I found two. The bad news: Neither worked.

Even after…

Description: Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. Connections: Bluetooth 5.1/3.5mm minijack/USB-C. Audio codecs SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive. Drive units: 1 5/8" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome. Frequency range: 15Hz–22kHz. Harmonic distortion <0.2% @1kHz. Bluetooth range appr. 50' (open field). Battery life 30 hours in Bluetooth mode; 35 hours in minijack mode, 42 hours in USB DAC mode.
Dimensions: Carrying case: 9 7/16" (240mm) × 8¼" (210mm) × 2¾" (70mm). Weight 12.3oz (350gm).
Finishes: Black, Dune.
Price: $…

Craft created Jazz Dispensary to reissue some of this music, with shall we…

Whether it's a thicker chassis, more powerful motor, more precise bearing, more effective isolation system, or something else, the emphasis is always on stepping things up a notch or two, rather than reinventing the wheel. This obsession can result in some…