Hi-Res Downloads

96kHz/24-bit FLAC, Blue Note 001977902 (supplied by www.highresaudio.com)

The veteran vibes player Bobby Hutcherson marks his return to the venerable Blue Note label with this all-star set, produced by label president Don Was and with an all-star line-up including saxophonist David Sanborn, organist Joey DeFrancesco, and drummer Billy Hart. None of these stalwart performers are exactly strangers to the recording studio thanks to extensive careers. As you might expect, this is a joyful set, with DeFrancesco’s Hammond bouncing off Hutcherson’s understated vibes, and assured rhythm-keeping by Hart. It’s a relaxed, good-time set of tunes, played by a bunch of old masters completely at ease with themselves and what the others are doing. If you’re after ragged-edge improvisation, it may be better to look elsewhere, but if you’re into great musicians doing what they do best, and given the space in the sound-picture to shine, then look no further. AE

Sound Quality: 95%

Hi-Fi News Lab Report

A genuine 96kHz recording but not without some ‘hot’ ultrasonic content [green trace, Graph above] that’s as likely to be distortion from the percussion mic feed as true >20kHz harmonics. Some tracks also have a parasitic at ~38kHz. PM