Audio Fidelity might not be done just yet...

[esimms86]

I received the following promotional email for Intervention Records's upcoming release of Quincy Jones's "The Dude." I have taken the liberty of highlighting points of interest. God only knows, if there could be releases of surround material or maybe material on those rarer than rare test discs sold to a few fortunate individuals, that would be cool AF!

IN STOCK NOW: Quincy Jones' The Dude Remastered Hybrid CD/SACD!​

IN STOCK NOW Ships to arrive on 6/17/22 Mastered Direct-to-DSD From The Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray At CoHEARent Audio Hybrid CD/SACD Plays on All CD and SACD Players Super Jewel Box Packaging CLICK HERE to Order Your Copy of The Dude ! FEATURING SMASH HITS: "Just Once" and "One Hundred Ways" "The Dude is a Quincy Jones solo project in name, but this post-disco pop-soul cornucopia of groove resonates as a testament to his ear for anticipating new sounds." -Pitchfork Quincy Jones’ 1981 visionary masterpiece The Dude is IN STOCK NOW and ships to arrive on hybrid CD/SACD on 6/17/22. Cost is $30 (catalog number IR-SCD18; UPC 707129301611). Legendary over decades as a composer, producer and performer, Quincy Jones changed the face of pop music in the early 1980s. A commercial and critical smash, The Dude is the album Jones released in between producing Michael Jackson’s 1979 breakthrough Off the Wall and 1982’s monster follow-up Thriller, the best-selling non-compilation of all time. The Dude’s lineup of writers and players is a staggering who’s who of 70s and 80s pop and R&B, including Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, James Ingram, Patti Austin and more. 3 Singles from the album charted in the US Top 40, including the smash hits “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways.” The Dude was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning for Best Instrumental Arrangement, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Instrumental Arrangement. James Ingram’s vocal performances from The Dude earned him 3 of his own Grammy nominations and a win for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "One Hundred Ways.” The Dude is mastered direct-to-DSD by Kevin Gray at CoHEARent Audio from the Original Analog Master Tapes, which were acquired from Quincy's team by Marshall Blonstein of Audio Fidelity. Coming from the tail end of the 100% analog era, The Dude is an AMAZING recording, and Intervention's remastering by Kevin Gray brings the big, beautifully nuanced bass home with authority and bounce, while providing the kind of 3D imaging and sonic holography of the best audiophile recordings. The is a sonic sensation! Quincy Jones' The Dude appears on Intervention Records solely due to the generosity of Marshall Blonstein of Audio Fidelity. Marshall blazed a bright, inspiring trail for labels like IR for many years with his brands, Digital Compact Classics (DCC) and Audio Fidelity. When Audio Fidelity closed its doors in 2018 The Dude was mastered by Kevin Gray and the DSD files were in the can with nowhere to go. Kevin acted as a facilitator, connecting IR with Marshall, who provided the mastered DSD files for this release. Thank you Marshall! US retail for the CD/SACD is $30. Email [email protected] for any additonal info. Follow us on Facebook and visit us on the web at interventionrecords.com About Intervention Records Intervention Records is owned and operated by professional music lover and Hi-Fi industry veteran Shane Buettner. Buettner is also VP, Marketing at AudioQuest and has worked for Vandersteen Audio. Buettner’s earlier career was in publishing, and his work was read in respected publications such as Home Theater magazine, The Absolute Sound and The Perfect Vision. Intervention Records would not exist without the inspiration and guidance of Joe Harley and Ron Rambach of Music Matters Jazz, brothers in analog arms and two of the kindest people walking this Earth.

 

[4-earredwonder]

One could ONLY wish Intervention Records could carry on the proud tradition of Audio Fidelity and grace us with some Multi~CH content but Intervention Record's CEO, Shane Buettner, is adamant that he will never release any multi~CH SACDs .... PERIOD.

If there are unreleased multi~CH files available perhaps Kevin Gray could coax either Hong Kong's EVOSOUND or American reissue company IMPEX Records to possibly consider releasing them, both of which have released multi~CH SACDs!

 

[cbmmm3]

the peanut gallery begins chanting "silverline". And Im a member of said gallery

 

[4-earredwonder]

the peanut gallery begins chanting "silverline". And Im a member of said gallery

Sure it wasn't SLIVERline, Ricky?

 

[esimms86]

One could ONLY wish Intervention Records could carry on the proud tradition of Audio Fidelity and grace us with some Multi~CH content but Intervention Record's CEO, Shane Buettner, is adamant that he will never release any multi~CH SACDs .... PERIOD.

If there are unreleased multi~CH files available perhaps Kevin Gray could coax either Hong Kong's EVOSOUND or American reissue company IMPEX Records to possibly consider releasing them, both of which have released multi~CH SACDs!

Exactly my thoughts! I mean, if AF has other potential releases sitting on a hard drive somewhere, well why not look for other parties to help get them out into the wild?

 

[Bill B]

Sounds more like an opportunity to pick low hanging fruit to make a quick buck, but anything is possible. I do miss Audio Fidelity. I was a regular customer as I am sure most here were.

 

[4-earredwonder]

As others have surmised, I'm certain ATMOS and 360 surround downloads have impeded the future release of multi channel physical discs but wouldn't it be great if the majors could give us poor dogs a bone by at least releasing some of those ATMOS/360 downloads on physical BD~A discs in LOSSLESS resolution...and without the 'rental' stipulation?

 

[cbmmm3]

As others have surmised, I'm certain ATMOS and 360 surround downloads have impeded the future release of multi channel physical discs but wouldn't it be great if the majors could give us poor dogs a bone by at least releasing some of those ATMOS/360 downloads on physical BD~A discs in LOSSLESS resolution...and without the 'rental' stipulation?

all about profits Ralphie. Far less costs involved selling a download. Think about the logistics and machinations in making - and selling - a physical disc.

 

[marcb]

As others have surmised, I'm certain ATMOS and 360 surround downloads have impeded the future release of multi channel physical discs but wouldn't it be great if the majors could give us poor dogs a bone by at least releasing some of those ATMOS/360 downloads on physical BD~A discs in LOSSLESS resolution...and without the 'rental' stipulation?

It would be great, but the industry purposely and in its self-interest wants to do exactly the opposite.

We’ll see a few more things here or there, but IMO the days of physical surround discs are basically over.

 

[ar surround]

As others have surmised, I'm certain ATMOS and 360 surround downloads have impeded the future release of multi channel physical discs but wouldn't it be great if the majors could give us poor dogs a bone by at least releasing some of those ATMOS/360 downloads on physical BD~A discs in LOSSLESS resolution...and without the 'rental' stipulation?

all about profits Ralphie. Far less costs involved selling a download. Think about the logistics and machinations in making - and selling - a physical disc.

Yes, less costs and complexity to selling a download. But to sound like a broke record, how about high res MC downloads? Ralph's bitch is the "rental stipulation" of streaming, and I resent the lower bandwidth of ATMOS. 1960's: Labels et al find ways to sell low-end audio. 2020's: Labels et al continue to find more ways to sell low-end audio.

 

[sjcorne]

But to sound like a broke record, how about high res MC downloads?

Already thought of:
https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/shop/

 

[marcb]

Yes, less costs and complexity to selling a download. But to sound like a broke record, how about high res MC downloads? Ralph's bitch is the "rental stipulation" of streaming, and I resent the lower bandwidth of ATMOS. 1960's: Labels et al find ways to sell low-end audio. 2020's: Labels et al continue to find more ways to sell low-end audio.

But you still own music you download - and the industry wants that control back. So surround downloads (at least those of 1st and 2nd tier acts on tables you're heard of) are almost certainly a non-starter.

The music industry only cares about fidelity if it is in its interest. And right now - at least with regard to surround - it isn't.