CNR 5300241

"Dr. Alban" is a Nigerian guy who went to Sweden to study and become a dentist. In his free time he started making music. He is a dentist now and also a professional musician. The music is kind of "pop" music and apart from his clearly recorded and understandable texts there's a really big "boom" now and then. You really need a good subwoofer for the experience!

MG-KOS-EC528-2

This CD has some well known evergreens, such as Smile, Shiny Stockings, A Tisket A Tasket, Baby it's cold outside and others all sung by the German Lisa Wahlandt accompanied by her musical friends. The voice is nice and the recording is done very well (in their own small studio). Have a look at http://www.lisa-wahlandt.com

Denon CO-75968

This Czech symphony played by a Czechian orchestra and directed by a Czechian conductor is one of the finest recordings ever made of that symphony. Okay it's not a Von Karajan and the players may be are not the professionals from the Royal Philharmonic, but it's played with all the fire and enthousiasm one might expect.

Atlantic 7 90044-2

This is one of the finest recordings of big band jazz ever made! It's recorded by accident with the band playing on the edge of an airfield. And the starting small planes can be heard at the bag ground. The recorder was an analogue two channel tape recorder, recoding date around 1972. The brass instruments are recorded in a way that one can almost distinguish the maker of the instruments! Although recorded in open air, so no acoustics whatsoever, the stereo image is fabulous. The trumpets at the rear and behind the saxes really are at the rear, in you home!

Prophone PRCD 7778

This is the same music as on the record. If you don't know the record it's an outstanding CD. But ....... if you know the record ......... it's surely less fun. I'm sure no compression was used and the studio tried to make "the best of it". And that's what it is.

SONY SK 64 399

For lovers of Chopin this could be a reference. Chopin can be played in different ways, such as on recent recordings of Lang Lang. But Perahia seems to have the real "touch" to play these ballads in a "moving" way. The recording is nice although IMHO the microphones could have been at a larger distance. The piano is almost as wide as the distance between the loudspeakers.

RCA 74321 16385 2

If you ever want to review a piece of audio equipment you should have some recording of a soprano with you. It's a pity that there are hardly any good recordings of a performance by "La Divina", Maria Callas. But this one will do as well. Caballé sings various pieces from great opera's and her voice will make your tweeters "tinkle". A pity though is that the orchestra on this CD is bad recorded. In a tutti the distortion level goes up and the stereo image is hardly noticeable.

When going to a demonstration don't forget to bring with you such a CD and a music loving lady. Ladies mostly have better ears for these things.

Philips 400 074-2

This is one of the finest Stravinsky performances ever made. The original recording took place in 1978 and originally it was brought out on record. And this CD almost matches the analogue record! The recording took place in the famous Amsterdam Concertgebouw, so the acoustics are among the best worldwide. The orchestra is well known too and Colin Davis a good conductor. If you want the classical atmosphere from a concert hall in your own home this is one of your chances to make it happen!

Reprise 9362 45689-2

This is his own favorite! The lyrics almost all are about good byes from lovers. The last song is dedicated to one of his exemplary predecessors: Lady Day.

This is an old recording first published on record so the recording date is from somewhere in the 70's or 80's. There's no Nelson Riddle and all songs are newly written by Bob Gaudio and Jake Holms. So if you prefer the "swing an' sweet from 52nd street" this is not for you. This is a kind of "serious" music about things happening and going by in life. It surely is my favorite Sinatra.