Hi-Res Downloads

DSD64; 88.2kHz/24-bit FLAC*, Stockfisch SFR 357 4085 (supplied by www.highresaudio.com)

London-based Ranagri take their name from an Irish village, translated in the title of this album, and specialise in breaking away from the folk norm. Since releasing this recording they’ve collaborated with Tony Christie to record an album of Irish standards, but here we have a rather more diverse set of songs. The infectious tone is aided by the use of unusual instruments, including electric harp and bouzouki alongside traditional whistles, bodhran and guitar and the effortless-sounding harmonies of the four members of the band. Tracks like ‘The Bogeyman’ and ‘The Rhythm Takes You Back’ will get the feet moving, while the band can also sound mystical and haunting on the likes of ‘Atlas’. The whole thing is beautifully recorded by Günter Pauler of Stockfisch Records, with a real ear for the tiniest detail of each instrument and, format concerns aside, sounds fine throughout. AE

Sound Quality: 85%

Hi-Fi News Lab Report

Also available on CD, hybrid SACD and as an 88.2kHz FLAC, the ‘DSD64’ version tested here clearly spent some time as an LPCM 44.1kHz file before being converted to DSD! Is the 88.2kHz LPCM FLAC also an upsample? PM