Chesky Records Jazz Sampler & Audiophile Test Compact Disc, Vol. 1

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: Bob Katz
Producer: David Chesky; Bob Katz
Distributor: Telarc Distribution

Notes: Audiophiles can be an incredibly fussy bunch. They won't hesitate to spend thousands of dollars on audio equipment, whereas other music lovers can be quite happy with a system that costs 300 dollars, 200 dollars, or less. And when it comes to sound quality, audiophiles notice subtle imperfections that non-audiophiles tend to overlook. Audiophiles are the target audience of this Chesky compilation, which the New York-based label put out in 1990. While tracks one through nine -- the first part of the CD -- contain nothing but music, tracks ten through 30 consist of listening and technical tests. In other words, tracks ten through 30 are strictly for hardcore audiophiles. On the first part of the 61-minute CD, Chesky concentrates on jazz and Brazilian music (most of it decent or excellent) that was recorded in 1988 and 1989. The straight-ahead bop selections range from Phil Woods' "Charles Christopher" to Clark Terry's interpretation of the standard "Pennies From Heaven," while the jazz-influenced Brazilian offerings include two tracks by singer Ana Caram ("Viola Fora de Moda" and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Meditation") and "Samba de Orfeo" (which finds guitarist Luiz Bonf� forming a duo with percussionist Caf� and revisiting a well-known standard that he wrote in the late '50s). One doesn't have to be an audiophile to appreciate these jazz and Brazilian performances; however, only serious audiophiles will find tracks ten through 30 of interest. And for that reason, this sampler is only recommended to audiophiles -- that is, audiophiles who have a healthy appreciation of jazz and Brazilian music. ~ Alex Henderson

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