I think overstock is too strong of word, but we have got an excellent selection of Linn LP12 turntables to choose from right now. If you've ever desired one of these spectacular Scottish masterpieces, now is a great time to consider moving up to one. All have received a thorough going-through and set-up from our resident LP12 expert.
LP12/Valhalla/RB300/Rega Elys2
LP12/Valhalla/RB1000
LP12/Lingo/Ittok LVII/Dynavector Karat 17D2 Mk. II
REGA SALE CONTINUES - The Rega b-stock sale has been going very well. Everyone who's bought these exceptional speakers has been delighted. We still have pairs of RS1/RS3/RS5 in most finishes. If you're looking to upgrade the speakers in your music system or want to start building a great listening system and want speakers that will give great sound with a starter kit and allow you to grow into a higher end amp/source, these are well worth checking out.
USED NAIM
We have a few superb used Naim systems. As it's our preferred gear and has a distinctive upgrade path, we like to reserve our used Naim gear for in-store sales, so we don't always list it on our used room page. Here are a few items from our favorite manufacturer:
NAC72/NAP180 - $1795
Superb pre and power combo from the 90s. Easily upgraded to near top-of-line with a HiCap. Few preamps can equal the lively involving sound of the 72 and the 180 is a full width power amp capable of driving almost any speaker down below 2ohms with oustanding control and musicality. Interconnect included.
NAC112/NAP150 - $1495
Modern, remote controlled pre/power combo. Excellent, musical, capable set up. A great way to get into Naim's modern separates.
One of Naim's famous decoupled designs from the late 90s. Features a long throw Naim-built woofer in a separate box from the tweeter for isolation from mechanical interference. The boxes fit seamlessly for a clean, architectural appearance. In Beech.
Allae - $3495/pr
An advanced vesion of the decoupled Credo with a lovely arched top and leaf spring mounted tweeter. Deep bass, total clarity. Beech
Naim Audio Ovator S-600 Loudspeakers. Naim's newest full range offering is a gorgeous floorstanding tower utilizing a new driver design that handles mid and high frequencies in a single driver for unsurpassed clarity and resolution. In the tradition of Naim Audio speaker designs, the S-600s handle deep bass and high volume without breaking a sweat or losing their utter clarity, detail and musicality.
ALSO - We'll be closed this Monday, May 31st for Memorial day. Everyone have a wonderful weekend.
We've got a very special deal from Rega this month. Starting next week, we'll have a great selection of b-stock Rega speakers on sale. The extraordinary RS1, RS3, RS5, and R7 speakers are huge favorites here. We enjoy their musicality, compact size and impressive dynamics. They pair very well with high-current amps from Rega, Cambridge Audio, Naim Audio and many other UK brands. These b-stock models have slight blemishes, but all defects are quite minor and the speakers are sonically perfect and come with full warranty. We'll have speakers in cherry wood, black, and a few models in piano black. Save hundreds on an awesome pair of UK built speakers! Email us for a price list!
Naim Audio has released a firmware update to the Uniti with several improvements including the ability to stream 24/96 files. If your Uniti is SN: 288000 or before, contact us to arrange to bring in your unit for the upgrade. This upgrade must be done in store. If you're curious whether your Uniti needs to be upgraded, email us for more details. Thanks!
We're currently listening to Ahmad Jamal's latest CD and it sounds spectacular. Playback is from an Apple Lossless file in iTunes on our shop iMac. The NaimAudio HDX server is streaming that from a shared file via our network and Naim's DAC is handling the conversion. Two diehard vinyl fanatics agree we haven't heard much sound this good from any format. Naim has reinvented digital once again!
It's never a good thing to build up your expectations about new technology till you have it in your hands, but we couldn't help but get excited when Naim announced they'd be building a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter). We thought it would be pretty neat. Now that it's here, we realize we were way off with our estimation and it's simply the biggest sonic breakthrough we've heard in ages and we are not usually prone to superlatives.
Naim's DAC in a nutshell:
-8 digital inputs. Standard Naim 5-pin DIN stereo output.
-Accepts any digital PCM stereo bit-stream from computer or disc spinner with digital output via TOSLINK (optical) or Co-ax.
-Has the Apple chip in so standard iPod/iPhone USB cable gives direct digital connection to the DAC
-Will accept Naim's XPS and XPS2 reference CD power supplies as a sonic upgrade.
-Sounds outstanding. We've not heard a source like this at near this price. Apple Lossless files from our iPods have us shaking our heads and laughing out loud.
Stop in for a demo. Bring discs, WAV files on a flash drive, or a 5th gen or later iPod, iPod touch, or iPhone!
We're pleased to announce the arrival of a new product from Naim Audio. The Uniti is everything in one box and it's totally Naim from head to toe. This amazing all-in-one Naim system is best described by Naim themselves:
"The NaimUniti is our first ever all-in-one audio player. It combines a ten-input, 50-Watt-perchannel integrated amplifier based on the award-winning NAIT 5i, a CD player based on the similarly acclaimed CD5i, and a digital-to-analogue converter with an output filter derived from that developed for the stunning CD5x. To all that, NaimUniti adds a high quality DAB/FM tuner, the ability to play streamed audio files wirelessly from UPnP™ servers or internet radio stations, and separate interface inputs for USB memory sticks carrying audio files, iPods and mp3 players. NaimUniti has every base covered; you just need a pair of speakers. "
That's right, one of the best CD players in the business, Naim's exemplary DAC circuitry, a Naim integrated amp, and enormous digital connectivity all in one box. On display at Hawthorne Stereo beginning this Saturday 8/15. Stop by for a listen!
Sat, June 27, 2009
4th of July Hours
We'll be open 10am to 4pm next Saturday, July 4. Closing a little early to get our BBQ on and hope you're doing the same! Weather's looking to be amazing (not to jinx it by saying so..) Knock on simulated wood-grain veneer.
We are pleased to announce another addition to our stable of digital-to-analog converters: The Music Hall DAC 25.2. This is an upsampling stereo DAC with USB, optical, and co-ax inputs for connection to almost any device that puts out a stereo bitstream including CD transport, music servers, Apple Airport Express, Sonos, Squeezebox, etc.. The DAC25.2 features the latest TI (nee Burr-Brown) chips and user selectable upsampling before conversion. Output is via a single ended electro-harmonix tube for a silky controlled musical presentation. A highly recommended addition to any home music server. $595. Read more at the Music Hall site here.
In this section, we'll be adding short news items as they arrive. Those faithful readers of the old email newsletter may soon be rewarded with a revival. That should make both of you very happy! Onwards
New in store: Naim Audio Nait XS
The Nait XS is an incredible integrated amp from Naim Audio, our favorite manufacturer of audio electronics. It shares many features with the famous Supernait but is pure analog, omitting the digital processing section found in the more expensive Supernait. The XS is the flagship of the new XS line from Naim -- more about that later. It utilizes many features of the 200 series amp and preamp to give astounding one-box performance. The sound is dynamite and, like Naim's separates, the preamp section has a power supply socket for the Stageline phono preamp, an outboard power supply such as the Hi-Cap is optional for improved performance, and there's even a subwoofer out. Available for audition now. $2350
Full Naim XS series out soon! Newsflash from Naim. A new series of Naim products is being created to bring together a series of components that match cosmetically and sonically. Ok, all Naim products match cosmetically and sonically so this isn't a huge development, but here's the scoop: The CD5X is about to become the CD5XS, and the NAC122X and NAP150X separates will be redeveloped to bear the XS insignia with improvement to sound, esp. in the preamp. All XS series products will now have the black anodized front panel of the reference line but continue in the slimline casework. There's also an updated Flatcap 2 to match.
DAC MAGIC IN STOCK
Cambridge Audio's DAC Magic USB DAC was such a huge hit, providing outstanding sound and connectivity for only $450, that they sold out much faster than the manufacturer anticipated causing a few months of backorders. We're pleased to say they're back in stock and more are shipping weekly.
Hello Listeners! Welcome to the new, shiny, fully revised Hawthorne Stereo newsletter! We've tried to make it more attractive, easier to read and fully compatible with Blue-Ray, HDCD, DVD+R, and 8-Track. We'd welcome your input on the new design so use the contact link at the bottom to let us know what you think!
We've been quite pleased to get favorable mentions lately in local press. Firstly the Seattle Weekly has been interviewing local musicians about their day jobs. John, as you may or may not know, heads a fine rock'n'roll band called The Hands and, in his interview, got to give the music cogniscenti a little rundown on the world of hi-fi.
Secondly, the owners of Sonic Boom, one of our favorite record stores, gave us props as the only place they'd shop for hi-fi. We're blushing and encourage all you record lovers to check out the new Sonic Boom General Store, their vinyl only space on Fremont Avenue next door to the main (cd oriented) Sonic Boom. We've found many a great record there and at reasonable prices!
Musings on a question we've heard a couple times recently... Why, in 2007, do we still call ourselves a stereo store? Why not Hawthorne Audio/Video or, looking forwards, Hawthorne 3D Auditory and Visual Imaging Systems, or somesuch? A decade or so ago, it seemed only a matter of time. We were selling much more A/V gear than we ever had, new formats were keen to incorporate video options, music was being recorded in surround sound, and everyone wanted a home theater. After years of competing successfully in the A/V market, we realized that, while we do design and sell very competitive and highly regarded home theater systems, our real strength is our deepest passion: two-channel audio for music playback. So Hawthorne Stereo we remain. While we don't sell TVs, we certainly speak audio for home theater and many of our brands make superb home theater electronics owned by many of our customers, but we won't forget our roots and the first question we still ask is, "Is this system primarily for music or movies?" If the answer is music, many of you know we'll try to talk you into a two-channel system. The reason is simple. A well designed stereo system will be satisfying for music and movies and generally be well built, reliable, better sounding and longer lasting than most comparable AV syststems. Music lovers, whether they listen on LP, CD, DVD, 8Track, iPod or anything else that plays back one or two channels of recorded music, will always feel at home at Hawthorne Stereo! On to the news...
NEWSOUR HOURS
Sunday Hours at Hawthorne Stereo are now 12-5pm. We're into brunch now.
NAIM NEWSARO LIVES
News of the impending demise of Naim Audio's superlative ARO unipivot tonearm are apparently exaggerated. Naim reports the ARO is still in production and available. If you own a Linn LP12 or Roksan Xerxes and want to take it to the best possible level of musicality, get your ARO while you can! We are of course happy to do the complete installation for you.
SUPERNAIT Last month, Chris Koster from Naim Audio dropped in to show us Naim's new SUPERNAIT and we were considerably impressed. Rated at 80 watts per channel continuous into 8ohms, the SUPERNAIT has such a beefy power supply it can more than double that output on transients. Suffice to say, the S'NAIT is a superbly capable integrated amplifier that offers the performance of high quality separates in one box. Naim rounds out the package with some very interesting features including both digital and analog inputs, optional phono, and upgradeability. Analog inputs are via RCA or DIN and digital inputs accommodate co-axial SPDIF or optical TOSLINK. Cleverly, Naim has included a front panel combination mini-Toslink jack for quick connection to game systems or devices like Apple's Airport Express. Naim feels that connecting devices with noisy digital power supplies via optical isolates their ground from that of the SUPERNAIT and prevents them from adversely affecting the Nait's performance. A clever solution for mixing high-end sound with the convenience of today's micro-sources, we think. SUPERNAIT (we like it without "the") also includes a powered socket for Naim's Stageline phono stage and allows you to upgrade its performance via attachment of an outboard power supply such as the HiCap2 or Flatcap2. Most importantly, the SUPERNAIT sounds fantastic. It's got the resolution of the 122x/150x preamp/power combination with an extra helping of bigness and impact. The SUPERNAIT retails at $4950 and units are now available.
NAIM UPCOMING We hear rumors of a new analog product brewing in Salisbury! We can say no more. Well, how about a little more? Naim are prototyping a new phono preamp called, tentatively, the Superline. It's in a Hi-Cap-style half wide case, and can be powered conventionally (Aux2 or HiCap) or via a Burndy cable from a Supercap! We're giddy.
REGA NEWSReaders of Stereophile will have noticed an enticing preview of an upcoming phono stage coming from Rega. We've asked those "in the know" and can confirm prototypes have been shown. The new phono pre will be designed to match well with Rega's revolutionary Apheta MC cart, it uses transformers throughout, and sounds very good. Further bulletins on that exciting product when we know more.
P3-24 The new 24v motor powered P3 will be in our shop and available very shortly. It may be worthy of a special bulletin when it arrives! Sadly we're told colored plinths, due to the new laminiate used, may be a ways off. Like Henry Ford said...
ROKSAN NEWSRADIUS 5 UK turntable legends Roksan - also producers of quality components - have released a table we suggest you take a listen to. Known for their LP12 rivalling Xerxes, Roksan also make the affordable Radius series, now appearing as the Radius 5. The Radius 5 has been out for a few years now, but a couple small refinements have made it a strong favorite of ours and highly recommended. The Radius is a work of art housing some very clever and thorough engineering. The two part plinth uses their sorbothane isolation mounts and the motor is gymbal mounted to allow decoupling from the main chassis but maintain exact spindle to spindle distance.
The Radius 5 comes with an semi-opaque acrylic platter and the chassis is available sculpted from veneered mdf or crystal clear acrylic. The table is complemented with Roksan's Nima unipivot arm, upgraded with new arm wiring and easy to use with its new transport lock.
The table has a rich and articulate sound described by one Hawthorne vinylphile as "Juicy" like an old Linn. $2495 plus cart. On display now and highly recommended.
NIMA Unipivot Tonearm Roksan's Nima Unipivot tonearm is available separately and I'd love to put one on your LP12. Price is about the same as Rega's RB700 which is itself an outstanding arm so I'll try to compare and contrast. The Nima, being a unipivot design, relies on a high pivot point and low center of gravity to maintian proper azimuth. Once properly set-up, it's as easy to use as any arm and easily locks in place for transport or cartridge installation. While not as extended in the bass as the Rega arm, the Nima has a fluid, open musical sound that we like a lot. Should be considered as an upgrade from a Linn Basik, Akito, or even Ittok and entry level Rega arms. $695 + armboard.
ROKSAN SFG Roksan makes a great little digital stylus force gauge. It's $150 and makes setting your tracking force and calibrating your arm a cinch. We were skeptical of it's worth at first, having been of the opinion that the old Shure balance is enough and your ears should do the rest. Your ears still matter most, but the digital wonder makes the the set-up so easy. Accurate to one one-thousandth of a gram. Hopefully that's enough for ya!
HAWTHORNE WELCOMES THE RETURN OF MORDAUNT-SHORTMordaunt-Short is a famous UK speaker manufacturer with a prestigious history and several amazing models. They've recently released a couple new lines and we're most impressed. Our favorite model is the Avant 902i
TARGET RACKS Those looking for an affordable and good sounding hi-fi stand will be pleased to know we're carrying the Target hi-fi shelves again. Target UK folded but the name and design was purchased and the racks were re-introduced by May Audio. We carry a 4 and 5 shelf model at $350 and $400 respectively. They're available in silver and black with glass shelves. Though they're now a bolt-together design, they're substantial, very rigid and good sounding!
CURRENTLY REVOLVINGSpotlight on Thrill Jocky.Thrill Jockey Records is an independent label out Chicago founded by Bettina Ritchards in the early '90s. With releases by the Chicago art-pop elite such as Tortoise and Sea and Cake as well as exploratory sounds from Trans Am and Oval, Thrill Jockey quickly established themselves as one of America's premier champions of independent and new music.
With a few exceptions, Thrill Jockey has focused on pop music, although long-running Chicago groups Tortoise and Sea and Cake have incorporated strong jazz, lounge and experimental influences. With Chicago underground duo and trio, TJ has even released a few out and out jazz records, but, with the release of From The River to The Ocean by jazz veterans Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake, we see a crucial crossover happening that's very exciting. Modern instrumental jazz is by and large released by a handful of smaller labels around the world. While their dedication and output is of very high quality, their exposure tends to be a bit limited. Here's hoping review sites that don't normally investigate the output of jazz labels, give some attention to this outstanding release.
Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake - From the River to the Ocean Fred Anderson and Hamid Drake's respective biographies, associations, and discographies could fill this entire newsletter, but a brief summation is in order for the uninitiated. Both are jazz musicians with roots both in traditional music and the avant garde. Fred has been recording since the 60s and was a founding member of Chicago's AACM (the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), of which Drake was also a member. Fred is a highly regarded tenor player and, despite nearing 80 years of age, his association with drummer and percussionist Drake is rich, powerful, modern and intensely creative. Backed by a full band including two bassists and fellow Chicagoan Jeff Parker on guitar, Fred and Hamid, explore the territory of mellodic in/out jazz that inquires and experiments without losing its repeated listenability or melodicism. In fact, repeated listens only highlight new facets of Fred's outstanding rich tone and relentless inventiveness and Drake's incredibly deft, open drumming style. This is an absolute favorite here and fans of 60s avant-jazz as well as modern instrumental music would do well to explore this release and others by these two outstanding players.
Thanks for reading! As usual, check our website for more goodies and stop in for tunes and a cup of tea anytime. Cheers!
Hello and welcome to the return of the Hawthorne Stereo Newsletter! We took some time off this winter to attend a few independent-hifi-shop-newsletter-writers-workshops, we bought tons of records, sipped plenty of red wine, and now we're back with fresh and exciting news and reporting on the strange and wondrous sounds emanating from the corner of 63rd and Roosevelt Way.
First of all, we're happy to report the construction that had our building surrounded in scaffolding all winter is close to completion. The scaffolding is down and our building is resplendent in its new galvanized exterior. Secondly, we're very excited by some new turntables from Rega which you'll find detailed below, some very interesting powered speakers from our friends at Quad and downright revolutionary news from our friends in Salisbury . But first, some music news:
DEAD MOON forever! As of this writing, we've been informed that northwest stalwarts Dead Moon have broken up. December's passing of Mr. James Brown was a momentous occasion for the world of music, but, for the NW scene, Dead Moon have had an impact over the last 25 years that's rivaled the mighty King of Soul for dedication, integrity and butt shakin' tunes.
Formed when pocket calculators outnumbered cell phones in Clackamas, Oregon by Fred and Toody Cole, Dead Moon have long been the Northwest's premier garage rock band, their sound a glorious mix of soul tinged blues garage punk, often self released, and always recorded in pure massive mono. Though they formed at the advent of the CD age, Dead Moon records often appeared only on LP, cut on the same lathe as the Kingsmen's legendary version of Louie Louie - you can't beat that for cred! Furthermore, if you go back to the original Nuggets collection of great American 60s garage and psych tunes, you'll find Fred Cole fronting the aforementioned Lollypop Shoppe, so the low-fi sound is in his blood.
After almost 20 years of delivering like no other to rabid audiences around the world, Dead Moon have called it quits. For the uninitiated and faithful alike, Seattle label Sub Pop has just released a 2CD best of Dead Moon called "Echoes of the Past" that's a great place to start. Whether it sounds better on a mono CD player is not something we've yet determined, but, if you want to rock out in style, look no further!
REGA NEWS
Rega P1 Rega Research Ltd, designers and fabricators of much of our favorite audio gear, have outdone themselves once again. After supplying parts and tonearms for other brands' entry level belt drive tables (NAD, Goldring,) Rega have decided to bring out their own basic player and, simply put, it's the best sounding and best built table we've seen at this price. The P1 shares the looks and fundamental design of all Rega tables: An onboard power supply drives a one-speed synchronous motor which in turn drives, via a two speed pulley, an inner platter with a hardened steel bearing shaft sitting in a brass sleeve with oil and a precision ball bearing. The platter is composite like the old P2 and the RB100 arm is a new design, similar to the RB250 but using bonded construction rather than the expensive cast alloy of the higher-end models. The P1 package includes a dustcover and an Ortofon moving magnet cartridge and comes set up and ready to play. We would always expect good sound from them, but Rega have once again exceeded our expectations! The P1 is full bodied, coherent, and very fun to listen to with surprising bass extension for a table at this price. The price: $349 complete! (that's maybe 20 new LPs so why are you still listening to that old Technics?)http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm
Rega P2 Rega have just announced the reintroduction of the P2 table featuring the RB250 arm, a brand new stabilized extra thick platter, and a great price of $495 alone or $595 with factory installed Bias2 cartridge. We'll have it available for demo very soon! Stay tuned for another evolution of the famed P3! The current P3 has been discontinued and we're down to two tables in our inventory - one red and one green. Now's your chance to get hold of the classic at 10% off. No word yet on the new version, but we expect only minor changes. Word is they'll be shipping in a couple months.
Apheta Hi-FI + in the UK have just reviewed the Rega Apheta low output coil cartridge and have this to say: "...record surface noise is somewhat emphasized (into a Naim K phono stage lacking electrical damping -ed.) , but if this is a downside, in every other respect this is a stunning an superb sounding cartridge, with a freedom from congestion and a dynamic realism that is utterly and completely beguiling. It simply makes vinyl replay sound more vivid, real and exciting, inspiring one to dig out and enjoy old favorites afresh (provided they're in reasonable nick.)" Needless to say, we're very excited about the Apheta and will provide you with our own observations soon. http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm
Rega Apollo and Saturn The Rega Apollo CD player continues to garner rave reviews, often being acclaimed as simply the best player anywhere near its price. This has lead to a few backorders, but we endeavor to fill every order within a few weeks and hope to reduce the wait time soon! The Apollo's bigger sibling, the Saturn, is now out and getting similar praise. We expect our demo unit very soon.
NAIM NEWS: Look, there, up in the sky! This just in: Naim Audio is preparing to release their new SUPERNAIT integrated amplifier! This crime fighting wonder features 80 watts per channel, subwoofer out, front panel analog and digital inputs, and a headphone jack. Naim has included toslink inputs for use with consumer digital devices such as computers or wi-fi receivers as the optical connection isolates the unit from noisy digital power supplies. The Supernait includes mappable inputs, a power supply socket for the Stageline phono preamp, and is upgradeable via connection to a Flatcap or HiCap power supply. Also bullets just bounce right off its cast aluminum low resonance casework! That's right, Naim has stepped firmly into the 21st century with this beauty. We expect US retail to be about $4750 with units arriving from the UK in mid April. We'll let you know as soon as it's available for demo.
QUAD NEWS: The L series dynamic speakers from UK greats Quad have been Hawthorne favorites for some time now. From their balanced, open sound and tremendous musicality to their hand rubbed lacquer finish and select hardwood veneers, the L series are an amazing overall package at a reasonable price. Quad have now introduced active versions of the 11L and 12L monitor speakers and we're extremely impressed. By pairing a set of their solid state amps with the drivers of each speaker, they're able to deliver incredible clarity, speed and dexterity from an elegant small monitor. These are a perfect match for a volume controlled source like a computer based music system or wi-fi receiver. Come audition them today!
Currently Revolving - The Hawthorne Stereo Pick(s) of the Month Andrew Hill - Passing Ships
It's hard to think of this record as almost 40 years old. Firstly, because it sat hidden in the Blue Note vaults until 2004 and secondly because Jazz has hardly surpassed the combination of inventiveness, clarity and melodicism found on this nonette recording by Andrew Hill, one of the first names in avant jazz and a piano player of outstanding ability and compositional genius.
At the end of the '60s, jazz was in decline, with many of the players and band leaders forced to change their sound and adapt to new recording techniques and electric instruments. Some dove wholeheartedly into smooth jazz, funk, r&b, and the dreaded (and often misunderstood) fusion styles, while others backtracked on their avant explorations of recent years to the hard bop style that schooled them, finding audiences still receptive in Japan and Europe. This is a time when, in retrospect, the period of brilliant inventiveness spanning most of the 1960s came to an end. Make no mistake, there were many forward thinking players continuing the rhythmic and melodic exploration that began in the late 50s, but the public ear and record labels were no longer in strong support, instead turning to new sounds and commercial opportunities.
For various reasons, I suppose probably relating to changing times, the Passing Ships session was never completely mixed and remained shelved until archivist and Mosaic Records founder Michael Cuscuna dug it up, mixed it down, and arranged its release in 2003. How lucky we are he took a careful look at those tapes - the complete story can be found in the liner notes. The larger band affords Hill a larger palette of sound and he uses it to great effect. Only rarely to the many horns mass into a big band, but in turns Julian Priester's trombone, Joe Farrell's English horn, and the twin trumpets of Dizzy Reese and Woody Shaw, provide a dazzling array of colors to complement Hill's forward thinking compositions. Like Miles, Hill is a subtle leader of immense surety of purpose. His playing is often the most restrained of the band, but his ideas are the strength and framework of the tune and consistently brilliant in rhythmic and harmonic contrast to the other soloists.
This record, coming at the very end of the '60s, has one foot in hard bop structure and playing but looks forward to electric jazz and soul jazz, especially on compositions like Plantation Bag drive on a rock beat, but the melody is dense, funky and fragmentary, carrying an especially brilliant trumpet solo from Reese. Blue Note CD, 2003.
Thanks for reading! As usual, check our website for more goodies and stop in for tunes and a cup of tea anytime.
