Ken Kessler

Nov 25, 2024 | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Giovanni Guidi, Et AlA New Day (88.2Khz/24-Bit, Wav)www.ecmrecords.com; Ecm 2808Of late we have been sampling the ECM back catalogue in these pages, enjoying the way recordings getting on for half a century old spiff up in new hi-res digital versions, but here's some brand-new output, recorded in summer 2023 by label head honcho Manfred Eicher.

Nov 25, 2024 | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Dr. JohnIn The Right PlaceAnalogue Productions/Atco Capa 006SaWhile many audiophiles have a tendency to default to vinyl if that was the original format, this SACD is so deliciously musical and involving that they'll have to leave their biases at the door. From the opening notes of 'Right Place Wrong Time', the sheer impact of the sound is so bracing that you have to remind yourself it's New Orleans funk and not Metallica with the volume at 11.

Nov 25, 2024 | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Shelly Manne & His Men At The Black Hawk Craft Recordings/Contemporary Cr00601 (180G Vinyl) 'Who's the greatest jazz drummer?' always boils down to Messrs Blakey, Rich, Roach, Krupa, et al, but I have a soft spot for Manne, not least for his classy work during the sessions which delivered this first of four LPs. Sonically, it oozes valve-era early stereo - the presence of Victor Feldman on piano will trigger memories for fans of 1970s/1980s audiophile vinyl - this sublime album captured when...

Nov 20, 2024 | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Acoustic Research launches a range of electronics that aims to combine good looks, useful facilities and fine sound. Ken Kessler hears a selectionFor as long as hi-fi has existed, consumers have been forced to choose between pure sound quality and ergonomic/aesthetic delight. In short, the best-sounding equipment has always been either spartan, ugly, expensive, or simply a pain in the butt to live with or to use.

Oct 29, 2024 | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

John PrineJohn PrineAnalogue Productions/Atlantic Capa004SaPart of the 'Atlantic 75' celebration, John Prine's eponymous 1971 debut is one of the albums also benefiting from the label's collaboration with Analogue Productions. I'm not sure if we will see it as a 2x45rpm LP, which AP is undertaking for select titles, but the SACD is more than sufficient proof it's as worthy sonically as it is artistically.