Ultimate HQCD (UHQCD) - new CD format, King Crimson on UHQCD and more

The DAC in the Oppos is capable of native DSD conversion or DSD-PCM conversion. One can set whichever you prefer in the settings menu [the user manual even suggests people may prefer the sound of one method over another]. In some circumstances it is necessary to select DSD-PCM conversion when connected to a receiver via HDMI that cannot handle DSD [though if everything is handshaking properly this should happen automatically].

 

MQA? What MQA?
This thread is dedicated to the best Red Book CDs - UHQCDs, which will never die.
Universal releases 10 UHQCDs from the Blue Note and Verve catalog ($16.84):

Tal Farlow 100th Anniversary UHQCD Collection

April 21, 2021

Tal Farlow Quartet S/T
Tal Farlow The Tal Farlow Album + 4
Tal Farlow The Artistry of Tal Farlow
Tal Farlow The Interpretations of Tal Farlow
Tal Farlow A Recital by Tal Farlow
Tal Farlow Tal
Tal Farlow The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow + 4
Tal Farlow This Is Tal Farlow
Tal Farlow The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow
Tal Farlow Plays the Music of Harold Arlen



(translation)
Tal Farlow Quartet [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow Quartet
“[Tal Farlow 100th Anniversary UHQCD Collection] The heyday of Tal Farlow's 100th anniversary (born June 7, 1921), a modern jazz guitarist with overwhelming technique and sense. The 1950's album to UHQCD at once. Original LP English liner notes with Japanese translation. With new mini commentary. The first leader album of Tal Farlow, the best jazz guitarist of the 1950s, following the tradition of Charlie Christian. Blue Note 10-inch board A masterpiece in the trilogy of white guitarists. With the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums in the background, the heart-throbbing high-speed phrase is skipped from the opening "lover". The waltz tempo sandwiched in the middle of the theme adds an accent. The ballad plays of "Flamingo" that effectively uses harmonics is melancholy.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow, Don Arnon (g), Clyde Lombardi (b), Joe Morello (ds) Recorded in New Jersey on April 11, 1954.”

Flamingo





The Tal Farlow Album + 4 [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
The 1950's album to UHQCD at once. Original LP English liner notes. With new mini commentary. The first Nogran (later Verve) label that recorded its heyday. The first half (1-8) recorded in New York is a quartet composed of barrels, rhythm guitar, bass and drums (with the participation of master Oscar Pettyford). Outstanding solo work is brilliant and nimble. The arrangement that effectively uses the guitar also stands out. The second half (9-12) is a trio of guitar, piano and bass recorded in Los Angeles the following year. A powerful performance with a stronger tone.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow, Barry Galbraith (g), Claude Williamson (p), Oscar Pettiford, Red Mitchell (b), Joe Morero (ds) June 2, 1954 in New York Recording (1-8), recorded in Los Angeles, April 25, 1955 (9-12)”

Blues In The Closet
https://youtu.be/RBHias7GUys?list=OLAK5uy_mzE1r71cQCZaDRYWzCvAHrw0l_byPISFs




The Artistry of Tal Farlow [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“Second recording at Nogran (Verve). A once-in-a-lifetime session with Gerald Wiggins, Ray Brown, and Chico Hamilton who are active on the west coast. At that time, Tal was able to listen to more quaint performances than before. In "Autumn in New York," he tuned a string one octave lower to widen the bass and performed a rich solo. Since this performance attracted attention, there is also a reissue with the same song as the title. The up-tempo "Cherokee" is also a masterpiece. <Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Gerald Wiggins (p), Ray Brown (b), Chico Hamilton (ds) Recorded November 15 & 16, 1954 in Los Angeles”

Autumn in New York [with good SQ]
https://youtu.be/HyCx1VytLhs




The Interpretations of Tal Farlow [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“A quartet work with the participation of allies Red Mitchell (both from the Red Norvo Orchestra) and Claude Williamson and Stan Levy who are active on the west coast. All consist of famous standard numbers. You won't get tired of listening to the songs, which are arranged in a well-balanced manner. The lightness of "I Remember You" and the singing spirit of the beautiful melody ballad "How Deep Is The Ocean" struck me. The solo performance "Dead Leaf" is also impressive. <Personel> Tal Farlow (g), Claude Williamson (p), Red Mitchell (b), Stan Levy (ds) Recorded January 17, 1955 in Los Angeles.”

I Remember You
https://youtu.be/q8EDpdB3OWs




A Recital by Tal Farlow [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“A gem of West Coast jazz that co-starred with three talented horn players. Tal spins a lustrous play on the rich harmony of mid-low range tenor sax, baritone sax, and valve trombone. The solos of the guest players are also nice. The arrangements of all the songs are witty, such as the rumba-style "Out of the Nowhere", the bluesy "Walkin", and the lively "Will You Still Be Mine". <Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Bob Enevorsen (vtb), Bill Perkins (ts), Bob Gordon (bs), Monty Budwig (b), Larance Marable (ds) May 3, 1955 Recorded in Los Angeles on (2, 4, 5), 4th (1, 3, 6, 7).”

Moonlight Becomes You
https://youtu.be/kaeTazqtl6A

 

I've ordered few of Piazzola's UHQCD cd's and will order complete Tal Farlow set...

 

Tal [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
”An astonishing piece that unfolds exquisite and illusionary phrases with a big hand nicknamed "Octopus". Another masterpiece recorded in the same regular trio five days after The Swinging Guitar. You can see Tal's technician's performance with "Isn't it romantic?" With a solo by harmonics playing. Eddie Costa and Vinnie Burke are also in great shape. The Costa of "Yesterdays", which strumming the mid-low range, feels devilish. <Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Eddie Costa (p), Vinnie Burke (b) Recorded June 5, 1956 in New York.”

Yesterdays





The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow + 4 [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“A masterpiece by the legendary Tal Farlow trio with Eddie Costa and Vinnie Burke. They made regular appearances at the composer’s club in New York, strengthening their connections. The momentum does not stop from the "Taking A Chance On Love" at the beginning. Tal unwinding endlessly ingenious phrase, tough touch Costa, clear and crisp Burke. The three-way solo exchange is really refreshing. After that, "Yardbird Suite" and "Wake up from a dream" continue to perform well.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Eddie Costa (p), Vinnie Burke (b) Recorded May 31, 1956 in New York.”

Taking A Chance On Love
https://youtu.be/PenrZqf8_AA




This Is Tal Farlow [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“The last session with Eddie Costa, who has been working with Tal for a long time as a regular band. From the opening "Lean on Me", a thrilling conversation between the two will fly. When Tal spins a dashing and stimulating line, Costa folds a mysterious phrase in the mid-low range that he is good at. The two high-tech solo relays are dazzling. Unlike the previous trio organization (drumless), Jimmy Campbell, a drummer who often co-starred at the time, participated.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Eddie Costa (p), Bill Teikas, Nobby Totor (b), Jimmy Campbell (ds) February 17, 1958 (1-4), 18 (5) -8), recorded in New York.”

Lean on Me
https://youtu.be/U8T2NgTkK8Q




The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“Recording for the first time in 1 year and 10 months, which was the final session of Verve. After this, Tal moves away from the jazz world for a while. The two-day session will be released as two albums (the other is "Plays the Music of Harold Arlen"). In this work, Belgian flute player Bobby Jaspar and famous lead player Frank Wess of the Basie Orchestra participate depending on the song. A tasteful performance with an intimate atmosphere. Original format World's first CD.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Benny Powell (tb), Bobby Jaspar (fl, ts), Frank Wess (fl, as, ts), Charlie Forks (bs), Dick Hyman (p), Milt Hinton, Jo Benjamin (b), Osie Johnson (ds).”

Saratoga
https://youtu.be/_wBktKKlauE




Plays the Music of Harold Arlen [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Tal Farlow
“Tal, who had been away from the New York jazz scene for a while, made his first recording in a year and 10 months. The final work of Verve, who has been enrolled since 1954, in a session on the same day as "The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow". A collection of works by the master composer Harold Arlen, which includes the representative songs " Blues In The Night " and "As Long As I Live". Frank Wess, a star player of the Basie Orchestra, participated. The exquisite solo exchanges of the masters are exciting. Original format World's first CD.
<Personnel> Tal Farlow (g), Benny Powell (tb), Frank Wess (fl, as, ts), Charlie Forks (bs), Dick Heimann (p), Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin (b), Osie Johnson (ds) Recorded December 15th and 16th, 1959 in New York.”

Blues In The Night
https://youtu.be/umCieH16y18


Please note:
The last two albums are released on CD for the first time; Most of the rest are out of print, with a 1988 Japanese 'A Recital' CD runs over 70 bucks.

 

Tribute to great guitar masters of jazz

Les Paul, Tal Farlow and Bucky Pizzarelli (Live 1985)

 

Well of course a day after I put in an expensive order Deep Discount offers a 15% off sale.

 

Forget to write 'bout

• The Band - S/T (UHQCD/MQA);

sound quality. Just wanted to let you all know that sound is pretty poor compared to regular (not Japan) 50th anniversary edition. The same goes for Platinum SHM-CD which is same not so great sound quality. Not so good spent 35€.

Strangely, Music From Big Pink is vise versa...

P.S. I don't have MQA enabled player.

 

This is the risk with a CD that is effectively degraded to 44.1K/14 bits when played on a non MQA player. For people with non MQA hardware a well mastered normal CD has the potential to sound better. The end result is mostly down to the source material and quality of mastering rather than any proprietary processing or exotic disc material IMHO.

 

Don't agree, cause others MQA titles I have sounds great!

 

Must be good mastering then. The MQA process has been comprehensively reverse engineered. A non MQA version should sound closer to the master tape all other things being equal on non MQA hardware.

A few MQA CDs have been mentioned as originating from DSD masters. I’d just want the SACD. The MoFi SACD of Dire Straits Love Over Gold sounds great. No need for any weird intermediate processes IMHO.

 

Well, the SHM SACD sure sounds fine. I compared it to the MOFI SACD and then sold off all of my MOFI Band SACDs.

 

King Crimson`s 70s albums are going to be released on April . MQA CD this time.

 

Man those Tal Farlows
Would be great but do i need to double dip since i have the Mosaic box, decisions decisions

 

I'll definitely pick some Tal Farlow titles too.

I did not see in this topic the Guaraldi reissues from last year.

 

Missed UHQCD release.

Universal has released 4 Peanuts albums on UHQCD by pianist and composer Vince Guaraldi ($16.56):

Peanuts 70th Anniversary UHQCD Release

October 14, 2020

Vince Guaraldi A Boy Named Charlie Brown (Original Soundtrack) + 2
Vince Guaraldi A Charlie Brown Christmas + 3
Vince Guaraldi It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Vince Guaraldi Peanut Portraits

(translation)
A Boy Named Charlie Brown Original Soundtrack [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Vince Guaraldi

“[PEANUTS 70th Anniversary (UHQCD) Reissue] The world's most famous beagle dog, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and other unique characters have appeared, and the popular comic "PEANUTS" loved from all over the world will be released on October 2, 2020. The 70th anniversary of his birth is celebrated on the same day. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of PEANUTS' birth, all four PEANUTS-related albums by West Coast jazz pianist / composer Vince Guaraldi, who was in charge of music for the TV anime version "PEANUTS" from the 1960s to the 1970s, were released on the first UHQCD.



A documentary (unbroadcast) soundtrack of Charles M. Schultz, the creator of peanuts, produced as a special TV program on CBS in 1964. Includes familiar theme songs such as "Linus & Lucy" and "Oh, Good Grief". Although it was never broadcast on TV, Vince Guaraldi's sixth studio album triggered PEANUTS soundtracks such as 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas. One piece that became a big hit. <Personnel> Vince Guaraldi (p), Monty Budwig (b), Colin Bailey (ds). Includes 2 bonus tracks”

Main title to the movie "A Boy Named Charlie Brown," sung by Rod McKuen, 1969







A Charlie Brown Christmas [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Vince Guaraldi Trio
“A masterpiece that was produced as a soundtrack to the special Christmas program "Snoopy's Merry Christmas" that premiered on TV on December 9, 1965 on CBS, and is now a staple of Christmas albums. Vince Guaraldi's seventh studio album, a Christmas album, but a big bestseller that has recorded the second highest sales in the history of jazz. Includes "Christmas Time Is Here" sung by PEANUTS members and "Linus & Lucy", a representative song of PEANUTS works. <Personnel> Vince Guaraldi (p), Monty Budwig (b), Colin Bailey (ds) and others. Includes 3 bonus tracks.”

Linus & Lucy
https://youtu.be/x6zypc_LhnM




It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Vince Guaraldi
“The soundtrack to the third PEANUTS animation "Snoopy and Pumpkin the Great," which premiered on TV on October 27, 1966. In addition to familiar theme songs such as "Linus & Lucy" and "Charlie Brown Theme", "The Great Pumpkin Waltz" unique to Halloween is also included, including Snoopy's sadness and crying voice! 2018 The first commercialized soundtrack in Japan, the first release in the Japanese edition. <Personnel> Vince Guaraldi (p), Monty Budwig (b), Colin Bailey (ds), John Gray (g), Ronald Lang (woodwinds), Emmanuel Klein (tp).”

The Great Pumpkin Waltz
https://youtu.be/MHU7XurGrpw




Peanut Portraits [UHQCD] [Limited Edition] / Vince Guaraldi
“From the music of Vince Guaraldi used from the first PEANUTS animation "Snoopy's Christmas" aired in 1965 to the eleventh "Snoopy is a Detective" aired on TV in 1974, the PEANUTS character The compilation album released in 2010, which contains only themes, is the first Japanese edition. Includes Woodstock's theme "Little Birdie" with Vince Guaraldi's own vocals! M-10 and 11 include a bonus track cover by George Winston (p). <Personnel> Vince Guaraldi (p, vo), Monty Budwig (b), Colin Bailey (ds) and others.”

Frieda
https://youtu.be/BTeP9KoTuCI
Sally’s Blues
https://youtu.be/noYajRkfGnM
Blue Charlie Brown (Version #2)
https://youtu.be/_DP_Xws4TW4

 

MQA UHQCD Project Transformation (?)

Universal took a baby-step back toward the SHM-SACD project.
They announced the release of 7 SHM-SACD titles (Jewel Case) in May ($27.61).

Here they are w/year of mastering:

May 26, 2021

(SHM-SACD)
Cream Goodbye Cream (2014)
Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard (2018)
Camel Moonmadness + 2 (2014)
Camel Rain Dances + 1 (2014)
Camel Chameleon: The Best Of Camel (2020)
Mantovani Best Selection (2019)
Paul Mauriat Best Selection (2 SHM-SACD) (2019)

About 3 years ago, when the MQA UHQCD project started, they used DSD mastering/transfer from SHM-SACD project.
Only 9 titles were with the new transfer. Then, they went on with newly transferred titles.
Now they have moved in the opposite direction.

Please note:
Of these 7 titles, only the last 3 are released in SHM-SACD for the first time.
The first 4 titles were released as SHM-SACDs in Mini LP presentation in 2014.
Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard had 2010 transfer and was released for MQA UHQCD project with a new transfer in 2018. This transfer will be used for the new release.
All titles are released as SHM-SACD in jewel cases for the first time.



(translation)
Goodbye Cream [SHM-SACD] / Cream
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] As the gap between the members deepens, Cream, who finally announced the dissolution, is the last album released by combining the last studio recording and the live from the last US tour. (Announced in 1969)
● 2014 DSD Master based on US original analog tape ● Commentary, lyrics.”




461 Ocean Boulevard [SHM-SACD] / Eric Clapton
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] Full-scale return from the three-year secluded life due to the influence of drugs, and became No. 1 in the United States with Bob Marley's cover "I Shot the Sheriff" cut as a single A brilliant and powerful comeback work. A masterpiece that determined the style of Clapton later, such as the mature guitar play, laid back rhythm and delicious vocals. (Announced in 1974)
● 2018 DSD Master based on US original analog tape ● Commentary, lyrics.”





Moonmadness + 2 [SHM-SACD] / Camel
[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] The last work of the first Camel, which was the pinnacle of fantasy aesthetics, featuring vocals again, a change from the previous work that was a full-length instrument. (Announced in 1976)
● 2014 DSD Master based on British original analog tape ● Commentary, lyrics. ● Includes 2 bonus tracks.”




Rain Dances + 1 [SHM-SACD] / Camel
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] The second stage camel with Richard Sinclair (former caravan, Hatfield & the North) on the base and Mel Collins (former King Crimson) on the saxophone Sound like that is attractive. (Announced in 1977) ● 2014 DSD Master based on British original analog tape ● Commentary, lyrics. Includes 1 bonus track.”




Chameleon Best of Camel [SHM-SACD] / Camel
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] The band's first best album, which was knitted on the 10th anniversary of the formation of Camel, from "Mirage" (1974) to "Nude Story-Mr. O's Return-" Contains 11 songs selected from 7 studio works up to (1981). (Announced in 1981)
● 2020 DSD Master based on British original analog tape ● Commentary / lyrics.”

 

Best Selection [SHM-SACD] / Mantovani and His Orchestra
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] The definitive edition of Mantovani, the giant star of easy listening that produced a unique strings sound. Contains 24 songs including the representative songs "Charmaine", "Enchanted Evening" and "Greensleeves". (Announced in 2019)
● 2019 DSD master based on overseas / domestic original analog tape ● With commentary.”

Best Selection [SHM-SACD] / Paul Mauriat
“[SHM-SACD specification regular board series] The definitive edition of Paul Mauriat, synonymous with easy listening that continues to be loved all over the world over time. Contains 50 songs including the representative songs "Koi wa Mizuiro", "Olive Tree" and " Pearl Fishers". (Announced in 2019)
● 2019 DSD master based on domestic original analog tape ● With commentary.”

Reviews (on 2019 flat transfer)

(from the post # 1656)
Mantovani Best Selection

I would say that the Mantovani album sounded very similar to Alfred House – nice, but with the same brightness in trebles.

[(from the Alfred House Best Selection review)
Another tango album, which was easy to compare with the excellent sound of Malando.
The similarity lies in the openness, airiness, clarity, separation, dynamics and vitality of sound.
What was better? - The bass performance that makes sound much better balanced and better presented.

It would be a better sound than Malando, if not for this: "a spoonful of tar spoils a barrel of honey."
When I said that clarity of sound was good, it was related to any instrument except violins.
The accordion, piano, upright bass, oboe, cellos – they were very, very good, clear and natural, but violins.
The brightness of the high frequencies was that “spoon of tar” that negatively affected the sound of entire orchestra - thankfully, not ruined it, though.
It's not terrible, but it can be a perfect album due to its balanced sound.
toilet_doctor, Oct 16, 2019 #1655]

The difference in sound was in the arrangement - isn’t that crazy to say?
The style has changed, there was less accordion, less rhythm section, and the main role was played by violins, of course - the more violins, the brighter the sound as a whole.





Of the 24 songs, 11 were in the “Good” section, and the remaining 13 were a little higher.
Mantovani rated as an Alfred House album - Very Good / Good.


Paul Mauriat Best Selection (2CD)

Review
World pop hits by Paul Mauriat. I am not in a pop music and I don't have originals (with vocals) in my collection.
I thought it would be nice to put them all together on a good-sounding double CD with the newest flat transfer, in the form of a large orchestra, including acoustic and electric instruments with an interesting arrangement and a modern approach to drumming, like in a rock band.
And everything was here, except for one little thing - a good sound.

Unlike the other CDs, both CD1 and CD2 sounded louder with abrasiveness in the mid-range and often harshness in violins. Although, the sound was presented with airiness, separation and good balance with fast bass, and the drums beat pretty hard. But the sound clarity sucks.

Someone said about the recently released similarly sounding Elton Empty Sky album that it’s not a compression, it’s a recording… I think it’s both.
About a half of the tracks sounded on average, the rest sounded a little better due to the greater dynamics.





Paul Mauriat went down to the border with the category “Average”.
It looks like they couldn't find better sources:

 

You are comparing the original 1969 mix with the 2019 remix.

 

Do you know why they are going back to SHM-SACD ? Is the UHQCD project over ?

 

Looks to be over. Probably too much demand and they couldn't keep up.

I received my final two in the mail today. Beach Boys Instrumentals and Moody Blues.

 

pics...

​

 

I'll have to compare the This Is The Moody Blues to the reel, but I think HelpfulDad overrated this one a bit.

 

Last year Technics released a new CD player, that could play undecoded MQA UHQCD's. So if you would ask me, I doesn't make any sense to quit releasing albums on this format.
Or is it due to the Covid-19 pandamic, that there are no new pop/rock releases? Or is there another issue?

 

There is another issue... We will discuss this.

 

Excited about the Mantovani SHM-SACD for some reason.