June 2024 D-V Quad SACDs (Isley Bros., Hair OST, Enoch Light, Tomita)

[humprof]

Am I the only one seriously disappointed with this selection?
I know, I sound like a grumpy old man. But with all the phenomenal releases recently from Rhino, SDE, Cherry Red, etc, this is disappointing.

On the plus side, I don't need to spend any more money (which I've done way too much on other releases lately.)

True: these are heady days to be multi-channel fan, and the cavalcade of releases from a multitude of labels means we can all afford to be more selective. (And I get it: many of us can only afford to be selective!) But Dutton was there first. And for me, they're still the best. Certainly the best mastering--in that department Mike is consistently head and shoulders above everyone else. And even if I'm lukewarm about some of the titles in this new, long-awaited batch, I can't put the Isleys 3-on-2 in any other category but "phenomenal"! The Enoch Light two-fer is another good sign, and a bargain besides. Can't wait to hear that Dick Hyman arrangement of "Oye Como Va."

P.S.: Melba Moore in the cast of Hair! (And did anybody else notice Diane Keaton's name in the chorus?)

 

[Quad Linda]

Ordered!! Nearly always, I'm buying Quads bought once before. Rebuying 3 of 4 multi's, but not buying Enoch.

Have been hoping for Bermuda Triangle which I bought on US 2ch LP on Bermuda coral vinyl, Japan CD & Japan CD-4. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Was lucky enough to get a CD-4 promo of Hair and several other CD-4 promos, since we were an RCA dealer. Schmilsson, Volunteers, Friends of Distinction Greatest, And I Love You So - Como, 3 Tchaikovsky's Greatest Ballets, and Montenegro's Neil's Diamonds. Also bought Hair on expanded CD and 2 CD expanded w/original off-Broadway cast, which I previously bought on cassette.

Bought the original SACD multi of 3 + 3 and SQ's of the other two Isleys. Never bought 2ch LP's or CD's of these.

 

[bnyhof]

In for Tomita and one more. Haven't decided which one yet.

 

[QuadEyes]

I am ordering "Hair" and Enoch Light along with two catalog items to comply with GOS' law. The Wizard comes through again.

 

[4-earredwonder]

I, for one, am overjoyed by Michael J. Dutton's June 2024 releases keeping in mind that ALL are mastered from the original analogue QUAD/STEREO master tapes. That he's kept his prices more than reasonable in these ultra inflationary times is somewhat of a miracle! I mean, three Isley Brother QUAD SACDs on 2 multi~CH SACDs for the price of ONE MoFi Stereo SACD in cardboard packaging [US $10 EACH] is gonzo! And as steelydave pointed out, the Isley's 3 + 3 is a new DSD remastered version from the original analogue masters and NOT an inferior ADAT 16/44.1 which SONY used for the original multi~CH SACD!

And another TOMITA QUAD and Enoch Light and even Charles Gerhardt's GONE WITH THE WIND and HAIR, the first ever nudie musical ..... come on guys, for sheer diversity and eclecticism.....the Wizard of Watford, in my book, is TOPS!

Thanks Michael J for letting the sunshine in TODAY!

 

[Steve Bruzonsky]

Here's what's next! Though, the last 2 are stereo only.

View attachment 106280

Seems that being your "web" & "quad" friend is costing me dearly!

 

[atrocity]

Am I the only one seriously disappointed with this selection?

I'm thrilled about Hair!

 

[key_wiz]

Isleys! Hell yeah! And I’m in for Tomita as well.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

I’m excited about that Enoch disc, lol. I love big band stuff in surround!

I’m thrilled as well, and the Enoch Light titles are very nicely mixed to Quad. These 1920’s-50's big band titles take on a whole new exciting and interesting dimension to them in Quad. And combined with Michael Dutton's phenomenal mastering, it sounds like you're right in the middle of those Big Bands!

This one has the 1930’s vol. 2; and I haven't heard that one or the 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE titles yet. I have heard the Big Band 1930's vol. 1 which is also excellent, and I'm wondering why they skipped over that one. Hopefully the tapes are still in good shape and available for a future release .

I also don't see in discogs this exact label code (PR 5089 Q4, from a R2R release) for this 1930's big band title, but a couple either from Australia or Canada, so not sure if there was a USA version; maybe someone knows of it and can report back please? discogs, certainly doesn't have every title in it's system.

https://www.discogs.com/release/247...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2
https://www.discogs.com/release/875...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2

Here is what the 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE is from-
https://www.discogs.com/release/22502393-Enoch-Light-4-Channel-Quadraphonic-Dynamite-Explosive

Here's the BIG BAND HITS OF THE '30s Vol. 1 that is also a great listen-
(or unlisted PR4C-5049)

https://www.discogs.com/release/244...ght-Brigade-The-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-Thirties

Here are links (for quick ordering) to these latest D-V SACD Quads-

TOMITA • THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
[SACD Hybrid Multi-channel]​

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDSML8587

THE ISLEY BROTHERS • 3+3, LIVE IT UP & GO FOR YOUR GUNS
[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=2CDSML8581
​

HAIR • THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING
[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDSML8586
​

ENOCH LIGHT • 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE & BIG BAND HITS OF THE '30s VOL. 2
[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]
https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLK4655​

 

[Owen Smith]

a) it's sourced from a brand-new DSD transfer of the original quad master whereas the Sony SACD was sourced from a 16/44.1 ADAT

You think there are things on a 1970s quad master that can't be fully represented by 16/44.1? I seriously doubt it myself. If it sounds better it is much more likely to be due to Mike Duttons superior mastering.

 

[4-earredwonder]

You think there are things on a 1970s quad master that can't be fully represented by 16/44.1? I seriously doubt it myself. If it sounds better it is much more likely to be due to Mike Duttons superior mastering.

Owen, perhaps a receiver can't 'tell the difference' but on separate HIGH END components the uptick in quality is MASSIVE!

And most definitely, Michael J. Dutton's exquisite mastering is indeed the cherry on the TOP!

 

[QuadEyes]

I’m thrilled as well, and the Enoch Light titles are very nicely mixed to Quad. These 1920’s-50's big band titles take on a whole new exciting and interesting dimension to them in Quad. And combined with Michael Dutton's phenomenal mastering, it sounds like you're right in the middle of those Big Bands!

This one has the 1930’s vol. 2; and I haven't heard that one or the 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE titles yet. I have heard the Big Band 1930's vol. 1 which is also excellent, and I'm wondering why they skipped over that one. Hopefully the tapes are still in good shape and available for a future release .

I also don't see in discogs this exact label code (PR 5089 Q4, from a R2R release) for this 1930's big band title, but a couple either from Australia or Canada, so not sure if there was a USA version; maybe someone knows of it and can report back please? discogs, certainly doesn't have every title in it's system.

https://www.discogs.com/release/247...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2
https://www.discogs.com/release/875...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2

Here is what the 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE is from-
https://www.discogs.com/release/22502393-Enoch-Light-4-Channel-Quadraphonic-Dynamite-Explosive

Here's the BIG BAND HITS OF THE '30s Vol. 1 that is also a great listen-
(or unlisted PR4C-5049)

https://www.discogs.com/release/244...ght-Brigade-The-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-Thirties

Here are links (for quick ordering) to these latest D-V SACD Quads-

TOMITA • THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE​

[SACD Hybrid Multi-channel]​

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDSML8587

THE ISLEY BROTHERS • 3+3, LIVE IT UP & GO FOR YOUR GUNS​

[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]​

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=2CDSML8581​

​

HAIR • THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING​

[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]​

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDSML8586​

​

ENOCH LIGHT • 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE & BIG BAND HITS OF THE '30s VOL. 2​

[SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel]​

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLK4655​

Found this at an Estate Sale a few years back. I finally get to hear it

 

[4-earredwonder]

Seems that being your "web" & "quad" friend is costing me dearly!

But at least with Dutton Vocalion you're getting REAL value for the money, Steve!

 

[Owen Smith]

Owen, perhaps a receiver can't 'tell the difference' but on separate HIGH END components the uptick in quality is MASSIVE!

So you keep claiming despite scientific theory not supporting it and there being no proper double blind test results that support it.

And the point I'm making here is even if DSD can theoretically sound better than 16/44.1, both of those formats are better than the 1970s master tapes. The technology of the time had limits, as does all technology.

And most definitely, Michael J. Dutton's exquisite mastering is indeed the cherry on the TOP!

And that Mike Dutton mastering will dominate any improvement in sound quality, so no conclusions about DSD etc can be drawn.

 

[steelydave]

You think there are things on a 1970s quad master that can't be fully represented by 16/44.1? I seriously doubt it myself. If it sounds better it is much more likely to be due to Mike Duttons superior mastering.

Don't put words in my mouth, the point I was making was that this release is sourced from a brand new transfer of the original analog tape and not from the ADAT transfer, which has actual verifiable damage in the aforementioned missing rear channel info in one track.

I'm not sure why you hyper-focused on this specific point amidst all the other good news, but even the most ardent "audiofools and their money are soon parted, there's no increase in quality outside CD resolution" people will concede that DACs have improved audibly and measurably in the last 20 years (and maybe 25 if the original 3+3 transfer was done in the '90s) so even if the new D-V transfer was only 16/44.1 it would still promise an increase in quality.

ADATs, like DAT tapes were absolutely terrible pseudo-pro formats that promised pro quality audio on a tape whose physical construction was anything but professionally robust. ADAT was simply 8 tracks of digital audio on a S-VHS cassette, and as such had all the same problems that befell analog VHS and S-VHS video. ADAT was also how Sony provided quad mixes to Brad Miller's HDS in the late '90s, and those tapes were so riddled with static and other digital imperfections that HDS was unable to release a considerable percentage of them, and obviously they hadn't remedied this issue by the time they got to doing 3+3 a few years later.

 

[4-earredwonder]

So you keep claiming despite scientific theory not supporting it and there being no proper double blind test results that support it.

And the point I'm making here is even if DSD can theoretically sound better than 16/44.1, both of those formats are better than the 1970s master tapes. The technology of the time had limits, as does all technology.

And that Mike Dutton mastering will dominate any improvement in sound quality, so no conclusions about DSD etc can be drawn.

Since I'm a rabid film buff, the only analogy I can offer is 35mm film is certainly superior to 16mm and 70mm superior to 35mm! And it's ALL up there on the BIG SCREEN!

 

[4-earredwonder]

Don't put words in my mouth, the point I was making was that this release is sourced from a brand new transfer of the original analog tape and not from the ADAT transfer, which has actual verifiable damage in the aforementioned missing rear channel info in one track.

I'm not sure why you hyper-focused on this specific point amidst all the other good news, but even the most ardent "audiofools and their money are soon parted, there's no increase in quality outside CD resolution" people will concede that DACs have improved audibly and measurably in the last 20 years (and maybe 25 if the original 3+3 transfer was done in the '90s) so even if the new D-V transfer was only 16/44.1 it would still promise an increase in quality.

ADATs, like DAT tapes were absolutely terrible pseudo-pro formats that promised pro quality audio on a tape whose physical construction was anything but professionally robust. ADAT was simply 8 tracks of digital audio on a S-VHS cassette, and as such had all the same problems that befell analog VHS and S-VHS video. ADAT was also how Sony provided quad mixes to Brad Miller's HDS in the late '90s, and those tapes were so riddled with static and other digital imperfections that HDS was unable to release a considerable percentage of them, and obviously they hadn't remedied this issue by the time they got to doing 3+3 a few years later.

Since DTS Entertainment was 'presented' with a number of ADAT 16b/44.1kHZ tapes for their DTS 5.1 remixes I could ALWAYS clearly hear the difference on my system as opposed to when DTS was working from the original analogue multi tracks. IMO, NO comparison.

 

[steelydave]

I’m thrilled as well, and the Enoch Light titles are very nicely mixed to Quad. These 1920’s-50's big band titles take on a whole new exciting and interesting dimension to them in Quad. And combined with Michael Dutton's phenomenal mastering, it sounds like you're right in the middle of those Big Bands!

This one has the 1930’s vol. 2; and I haven't heard that one or the 4-CHANNEL DYNAMITE titles yet. I have heard the Big Band 1930's vol. 1 which is also excellent, and I'm wondering why they skipped over that one. Hopefully the tapes are still in good shape and available for a future release .

I also don't see in discogs this exact label code (PR 5089 Q4, from a R2R release) for this 1930's big band title, but a couple either from Australia or Canada, so not sure if there was a USA version; maybe someone knows of it and can report back please? discogs, certainly doesn't have every title in it's system.

https://www.discogs.com/release/247...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2
https://www.discogs.com/release/875...-Light-Brigade-Big-Band-Hits-Of-The-30s-Vol-2

The later-era Project 3 LPs (the ones from 1975 onward through Light's death in 1978) seem to have had really poor distribution, especially the quad variants, including this one (I believe the correct catalog number for it should be PR 5089 SQ). Finding copies of those last 10 or 15 releases like Enoch Light's Disco Disque, Dancing in the Dark, and Serendipity (also released by DV), the self-titled Tip of the Iceberg record, Derek Smith & Venus Don't Let Go and Tony Mottola's I Only Have Eyes For You (all from that period) all range from tough to impossible to find, whereas the earlier ones like the Brass Menagerie and Enoch Light Spaced Out and Permissive Polyphonics (from the '72-'73) era are ubiquitous on ebay and discogs.

Regarding the rarity of Big Band Hits of the '30s Vol. 2 on quad vinyl, the same songs were also released around the same time on the two-LP set Big Band Hits of the '30s and '40s Vol. 2 (PR2-6013/14Q) with the other LP in the set being made up of the songs that were originally released on Big Band Hits of the '30s and '40s (PR 5056 QD). Maybe Project 3 found that selling the two LP set (which commanded a higher price) was more profitable and therefore pressed and distributed more copies than they did of the single-LP '30s Vol. 2 album.

 

[MrSmithers]

Excellent news!!

I'm in for all of the quad releases. Will be great to have a nice transfer of Go For Your Guns as the one on the streamers is brickwalled to shit. Such a fantastic album and mix...

Excited to have all the others too, woohoo!

 

[jefe1]

Im in for the Isleys and Tomita.
With other choices out there I have to be more selective and the others here dont interest me.
I never picked up the Mac Davis or REO Speedwagon sacds. While some here like the quad mixes on Mac Davis I never listened to him and I never read any feedback on REO..... can always be added to a future order.

Thank you again Michael Dutton.