Sonny
Rollins - Plus 4
(1956/Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Super Audio Compact Disc/SACD/SA-CD
Hybrid)
PCM
CD: B- DSD Stereo: A- DSD Multi-Channel: N/A Extras: C
Music: A
Mobile
Fidelity Sound Labs was an important part of the CD technology,
bringing forth some of the most important recordings and presenting
them using the best in technology at the time. The result were
better reproductions, so once again Mobile Fidelity is back, this
time with the Super Audio CD format. Since SA-CD is designed for a
further enhancement over the CD, it only seems right that a company
like Mobile Fidelity would be interested.
As
part of their collection, they have done the world of Jazz a huge
favor by bringing out the classic album Sonny
Rollins - Plus 4,
a landmark performance from 1956. This recording put Rollins
together with Clifford Brown on trumpet, Max Roach on Drums, Richie
Powell on piano, and bassist George Morrow for a furious Jazz
encounter, which would be a turning point in Rollins career. Rollins
was originally a member of the Quintet of these same members and
asked them to join him as he embarked on becoming more a solo artist.
Rollins of course has been said over and over to be one of the most
influential tenor saxophonists and was certainly one of the most
stunning performers during the 1950s. Sonny
Rollins - Plus 4
shows what that talented individual was up for. The 1950s in America
saw some of the biggest advancements in music, both in terms of Jazz
and of course Rock.
This
SACD is part of Mobile Fidelity's Ultradisc UHR Gain 2 (read the
review for their Ravel
SACD elsewhere on this site), which utilizes the latest in technology
for accurate reproduction of the music. This is also a Hybrid SACD
making it compatible with both regular CD players and SACD players.
The CD layer is decent, but more compressed as compared to its DSD
(Direct Stream Digital) counterpart. Both tracks are monophonic, but
can be played back in 'stereo' with a mono signal coming from both
channels.
What
is particular refreshing about this being monophonic is that there is
no movement or playing around with the sound. All the sound is
localized and concentrated, which makes it powerful. Each instrument
is given a certain amount of force coming through the mix without
interference. In a world that has become overwhelmed with everything
being 'surround', mono still has some benefits. If a recording had
always been mono, then it makes sense to keep it that way. Besides
Jazz has enough movement on its on that it does not need some tricky
work by a sound mixer to bring it to life, it's already alive and
kicking!
Track
Listing...
Valse
Hot
Kiss
and Run
Count
Your Blessings
I
Feel A Song Coming On
Pent-Up
House
The
selections are all quite sporadic with no pattern in their
arrangements. If anything this is a lesson in Post-Bop/Jazz in terms
of its improvised style, despite being a studio produced album.
Everything here seems random, but the difference between a master and
an amateur is this... a master can make anything sound like
something, whereas an amateur makes something sound like anything.
Rollins is without a doubt a master and this particular recording
proves just that. The influence of Rollins is immeasurable and
traces of his signature sound can be heard through many of the
artists that followed. Even during the French New Wave, which would
hit a few years later, directors such as Francois Truffaut and
Jean-Luc Godard would include similar sounding tracks to their films.
Thanks
to Mobile Fidelity for resurfacing as the strong company that they
always were. They have taken SACD to a higher level, with Sonny
Rollins - Plus 4
certainly being a highlight within their catalog. Also included in
the package is an insert with information on Rollins, this recording,
and some other tidbits. This disc certainly wets ones taste and can
only look forward to future endeavors from this company on the format
they were destined to thrive on.
-
Nate Goss
