Well, I'd better get out the paper towels.

All-foamed-up and wading hip-deep in digital drivel

dy/dx

 bad SACD recordings: you have been warned! - petew 05:33:00 04/01/00 (7)
 correction... - petew 05:35:34 04/01/00 (6)
 So the big question is ... - nataraj 09:53:20 04/02/00 (0)

...

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 bad SACD recordings: you have been warned! - petew 05:33:00 04/01/00 (7)
 correction... - petew 05:35:34 04/01/00 (6)
 So the big question is ... - nataraj 09:53:20 04/02/00 (0)
 Re: correction... - Lee 18:05:15 04/01/00 (4)
 reggae played by a jazzman---- weird and wonderful and it's dual-layer - petew 05:57:16 04/02/00 (0)
 Headhunters Dual Layer? - StereoMole 00:42:38 04/02/00 (2)
 SACD only--sorry. <nt> - petew 05:31:38 04/02/00 (1)
 Bummer-already have on CD wanted to start SACD collection <nt> - StereoMole 08:56:51 04/02/00 (0)
 yea! and just in time for weekend listening. - patentguy 13:53:18 03/31/00 (0)
 Re: offering my humble apologies to everyone about SACD titles - TomD 13:22:25 03/31/00 (0)
 Re: offering my humble apologies to everyone about SACD titles - Char 11:58:39 03/31/00 (0)

Char

have you been "outside" today?

As bad as this recording (sonics) is on CD, the DSD version is completely unlistenable. Shreeking highs, completely flat, muddled middle, undefined bass--I can't go on because I was unable to stand it any longer.

If you must have a copy of this recording get or keep your LP.

This is the first one of my new stash that I tried. I hope the rest of the Sony transfers aren't this bad. It sounds like they played the CD and converted it to DSD--all the worst problems of CD are faithfully reproduced on the SACD version, at higher resolution.

Which leads me to talk about an issue we all have to deal with now that we have the DSD players: better be careful what you buy.

The Monty Alexander disc is direct to DSD, and it's simply marvelous. I've been playing it alot and now I'm spoiled by the great sound--every bit as good as LP--even better.

But we can't be sure all the DSD releases will be Sterling examples of the recording engineer's art. Let's try to keep each other informed on these
"Hits" and "Misses".

Hits: Misses:

"Nature's Realm" "Thriller"
"Head Hunters"
"Stir it Up"

"Thriller" is the only "miss" on that list.

It's weird, because at first it grates on you--it's not real dope-smoking reggae--the music that frees you and sends you to heaven--forces you to move your body with the flow of unconscious cousciousness. I found myself searching through the CD rack looking for the real thing after a few bars of the first cut. But you can't help yourself --Bob Marley lives in the soul of these tunes. Eventually you get used to the differences, and they grow on you, and then by the end of track 6--it's your favorite music. The band is built from real rastamen, the recording is outstanding--better than outstanding, and the performances are impeccable. If reggae was a bit too much for you before, spend an hour with this CD and you'll be rolling ganga in the Sunday paper by track 11. If smooth jazz turns you into a foaming-mad cereal killer, wait 'till you hear it played with a reggae heart and soul.

Total playing time: 71:40.

Thirteen songs covered--all the best.

You can play this disc on your regualar cd player.

I give it my Highest Recomendation. This is a must have.