Transcending Continents and Memories 33.3 rpm 180gm LP

Transcending Continents and Memories 33.3 rpm 180gm LP

Herb Reichert’s 2018 “Stereophile Record to Die For”

“This perfectly recorded admixture of French Medieval, traditional Chinese and post-postmodern avant-garde music is surely one of producer-engineer Todd Garfinkle’s finest releases, on both musical and sonic levels. The contrapuntal interplay of Chinese pipa (lute), organetto, medieval fiddle and percussion parlays contrasting tones, textures and unexpected shifts in harmony into marvelous musical moments without precedent or equal. When I listen to this unusual recording, I inhabit the musicians’ space and feel I’m sitting in the room among them. This recording is, for now at least, the finest combination of music, art and sound I know of.”

The Japanese made MDC lacquers were expertly cut (needless to say) on the fly by Bernie Grundman in the spring of 2016 on his Scully lathe equipped with Westrex cutting head. All cutting amplifiers utilized custom made vacuum vacuum tube circuitry. I brought my modified KORG MR2000 with all the master files on board and the signal went via the shortest path to the lathe thru a passive attenuator box custom built for the studio.

The freshly cut lacquers were then immediately Fedexed to Master Craft in New Jersey where Desmond plated them, creating both Metal Masters and Mothers. I had initially intended to press records in Japan, but a multitude of issues arose with the only remaining plant there and this plan had to be abandoned. Eventually, I made contact with Record Industry in Holland where the present records were, I must say emphatically, expertly pressed!

The traditionally made, very beautiful cover was printed in Taiwan. The quality is very high! The LP itself is packaged in MA Recordings’ custom made inner-sleeves, made in Japan, exclusively for MA!!

Musicians

Christophe Deslignes: Organetto
PeiJu Lien: Pipa
Jean-Lou Descamps: Fiddle, Hardingfele (Norwegian Fiddle)
Thierry Gomar: Vibraphone + Percussion

Technical Details

An MA Recordings special project juxtaposing Medieval French with Traditional Chinese Pipa music
Recorded at 5.6 MHz DSD in the church of Nevian, Southern France.
Microphones: DPA 4006 omnidirectional, completely rebuilt by Marcel Croese of Create Audio; www.creatoaudio.com
Cables: Black Cat Custom XLR cables by Chris Sommovigo;
Microphone amplifier by Marcel Croese
Recorder: KORG MR2000, modified by Marcel Croese