Initially when the Frank Zappa deluxe box titled “Waka/Wazoo” was announced, I was not fully convinced that it would make it into fans hands. Thankfully it has arrived and has surpassed expectations in multiple ways that are revealed in this review. The modestly priced box contains 4 CD’s and 1 Blu-ray, the later includes high-resolution versions of both “Waka/Jawaka” and “The Grand Wazoo” which obviously make up the combined name of this deluxe edition. Fans are treated to these two albums remixed in their entirety in both Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Dolby True HD, both utilizing a sampling resolution of 48kHz / 24-bit, while the remastered version of the original stereo master tapes are presented… Continue Reading

It took several plays before I warmed up to “Animals” back in the day. The polished pop sound had felt very distant from their psychedelic origins and synth laden album Dark Side of the Moon. Years on Animals has become a must have album as fans pushed it to number 2 in England and number 3 in the USA, and like other surround sound enthusiasts, I have been eagerly awaiting the remix of this beloved album. In 2018 collectors were teased with a SACD marketing announcement that failed to arrive, and subsequently we learned of internal disputes between Roger Waters and David Gilmour over the liner notes that held back the release. Now the wait at long last is over, and Pink Floyd’s Animals 2018… Continue Reading

I always enjoy discovering new groups that successfully fuse various genres, coming up with a unique sound that showcases their individual musicianship. 4te, with members from Hong Kong and Taiwan, is a jazz quartet that delivers their collective knowledge that combines elements, style, and melody that line up perfectly while accenting the power of the musical term ‘forte’ for which the band has taken their name. On their debut release “City Jazz” available as a stereo Hybrid-SACD from evosound, the supergroup reimagines ten Cantonese and Japanese classics into a melding of fusion, smooth, and modern jazz that is a magical combination of musical worlds. Comprised of leader and musical… Continue Reading

When the film “Nothing But The Blues” was broadcast in the U.S. on PBS in 1995, it was nominated for an Emmy® Award. Now the blues of Eric Clapton burns even brighter with the release of an upgraded 16:9 4K Blu-ray for its long-awaited official release. Additionally, a new soundtrack with more than an hour of previously unreleased live performances recorded in 1994 during the legendary guitarist’s tour supporting his Grammy®-winning, multi-platinum blues album “From the Cradle” have been included too. Written and produced by Scooter Weintraub and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the documentary includes an in-depth interview with Clapton conducted by Scorsese. Throughout the… Continue Reading