Audiophile Digital

Various Artists
The Art Of Hifi Volume 5: Woodwinds
Octave Recordings OCT-0051

Previously reviewed as a download [HFN Aug ’24], this edition of the on-going series of demo discs from PS Audio’s Paul McGowan reaffirms my dedication to physical media, however much the vapourware version dazzled. This, too, earns our Album Choice status, while providing zealots like me with copious evidence that SACDs still outperform streams or downloads. As before, this consists of fresh recordings in Octave’s own studios, following the first four volumes, each with focus on specific instruments or criteria for optimal set-up of one’s system. The content is mainly light jazz, including a couple of standards, while the standout track is an off-the-wall interpretation of Dukas’ ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’. KK

Sound Quality: 95%

JJ Grey & Mofro
Olustee
Alligator ALCD5018

A mark of approval, ‘Alligator’ means blues or roots music of such purity and integrity that I couldn’t wait to spin this CD. Think late-period Willy DeVille, Dan Penn, Tony Joe White and others of that ilk – what
the label calls ‘front porch Southern soul music’. Grey’s shtick is storytelling in the John Prine manner, but deeply personal and imbued with so much funk, rock and blues spirit that genre classification becomes meaningless. This is his tenth album since 2001 – the first in nine years – and it deserves a wide audience as the title track’s bass is enough to sell it to audiophiles. Also check out the LP [Alligator AL5018] with even more stupendous sound. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
4 Albums On 2 CDs
SoulMusic Records SMCR-5219D (two discs)

Capping a saga that started in 1955,
this collects the last four albums Smokey recorded with The Miracles before going solo in 1972 for a career lasting to this day. They date from 1970-72, skipping only a Christmas album and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957–1972, the live double culled from their farewell tour: What Love Has Joined Together (with bonus tracks), A Pocket Full Of Miracles, One Dozen Roses and Flying High Together. Categorically ‘of the era’, the albums shine because of the group’s sheer longevity, their skills turning even remakes of their own songs and covers – ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘My Cherie Amour’ – into something fresh. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Texas & Spooner Oldham
The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Parce Que/Le Collection PIASLL224CD

This oddity is delightful thanks to its intimate sound but frustrating because
the promise of pairing one of Scotland’s best-ever rock vocalists, Sharleen Spiteri, with soul session ace Oldham begs more
of the latter. Alas, the 14 tracks count a dozen ‘bare bones’ reimagined Texas songs with Oldham on piano, plus ‘Would I Lie To You’ by Charles and Eddie and The Drifters’ ‘Save The Last Dance’, yet no Oldham co- compositions. I’d have loved to hear Spiteri interpret The Box Tops’ ‘Cry Like A Baby’, James & Bobby Purify’s ‘I’m Your Puppet’ or Aretha’s ‘Do Right Woman’ but it wasn’t to be. As the title declares, this is recorded in the legendary Fame Recording Studio. KK

Sound Quality: 90%