Audiophile Digital

Dr. John
In The Right Place
Analogue Productions/Atco Capa 006Sa

While 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. The vocal textures, the transient attack: I swear, any of you who enjoy the convenience of CDs who aren't engaging with SACD don't know what you're missing. This is one of the finest digital discs I've ever heard, regardless of format or sampling rate. Wait 'til you hear 'Such A Night': you'll soon be scouring eBay for a pre-owned Oppo universal player. KK

Sound Quality: 95%

Peter Frampton
Wind Of Change/Frampton'S Camel/Frampton
Intervention Ir-Scd20/21/22 (Two Sacds)

For those who cannot stretch to the Frampton@50 3LP box set from Intervention , or who don't use vinyl, the SACDs are superb alternatives. They comprise three of Frampton's first four solo albums (1972-1975) and like the vinyl, are artist-approved. This is classic '70s stadium rock, the underrated Frampton - people have forgotten his live album sold over 11m copies - is both a magnificent guitarist and an excellent vocalist. These contain his own compositions, including the hits 'Baby, I Love Your Way' and 'Show Me The Way', plus a few brave covers: 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and 'I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)'. Classy. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

The Long Ryders
Native Sons
Cherry Red Records Crcd3Box135 (Three Cds)

This US band's fans comprise a niche within a cult - devotees of The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Buffalo Springfield and others of that ilk - because the Ryders didn't merely pay homage to their heroes, they added new touches to create an extension of the genre rather than a pastiche. Exemplary country-flavoured rock, their 1984 debut appeared at a time when it seemed almost anachronistic but Native Sons still hit No 1

on the UK indie charts. This astounding expansion adds the 10-5-60 EP, the 5x5 Sessions, Radio Tokyo Demos, demos for the album itself and a third CD containing the whole of a live gig at Dingwalls in 1985, superseding an earlier expanded edition. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Tom Amend Octet
Bishop'S Lair
Octave Records Oct-0033

Though immediately suggesting old-school audiophile releases, this is not filled with odd stereo effects as in the mid-1950s. Instead, I say 'old school' because this captures a jazz group live in the studio. Bestowed upon this SACD is the silkiness found in Riverside and Contemporary 1950s stereo LPs, but it's a mix, keyboardist/composer Amend exploiting assorted instrumental sub-genres, and including a couple of vocal standards sung by his missus, Louisa. No mere nepotism here as she delivers a delicious 'September In The Rain'. This was recorded in DSD256 at Octave's studios, owner PS Audio putting its money where its ears are. KK

Sound Quality: 90%