Jazz is always seems to be a hard thing to capture well in any recording. Not only are the instruments amongst the most complex acoustically, some are capable of producing music in an incredibly large dynamic range. Even if this wasn’t an issue, capturing the correct timbre itself, the physical essence of the music is a huge challenge.

The early days of the digital CD recordings left many people wanting far more then they were getting from the jazz they were able to hear. A good deal of the real feeling and emotion that jazz represents was lost in the change from analogue records to digital CDs. Luckily there were those companies, like JVC who took the situation and did something about it. The result of JVC’s commitment has been generation after generation of XRCD technology.

A wonderful example of this difference can be found on Landscape – Art Pepper Live in Tokyo ’79. Art Pepper for those of you who have never heard of him is considered by some to be one of the best alto saxophone players to ever live. Suffering through both issues of race, war and health, he nevertheless was able to rise above it all before finally passing away at age 54.

The sounds of Art Pepper playing the saxophone are extremely detailed and pristine in this recording. There is a palpable sense of presence when you listen to his playing that tends to radiate from the recording itself into the room. In fact, it is one of the closest experience I have heard to a live performance on any jazz CD I have recently reviewed.

“Landscape,” on track 3 has it all, for in my mind, not only are the instruments captured in fine detail, but through the ability of both the musicians and technologies, the song creates an image of a landscape. Though perhaps what that might contain landscape should be left to each individual own mind, to me I can almost picture, through the music, the rich texture of a rich and colorful world. The music blends perfectly to envelope the listener, bring them closer and closer the longer they listen.

“Over The Rainbow” on track 5, is another example of not only the recording's ability to capture the music, but the skill and artistry of Art Pepper himself. The opening solo sets the tone for the classic sound of a song made popular by one of the most famous movies of all times. Once again, the listener though the musical imagery to become transported to that place that lies somewhere over the rainbow. The peace and harmony that Dorothy believed really existed, truly does exist listening to this recording in your mind’s eye.

While I never have heard the “standard” version of this recording, I can tell you that this version is definitely something you would have no trouble listening to again and again. I can’t compare this particular album, but I can tell you that I have never heard an album in both “standard” and XRCD versions where the XRCD wasn’t substantially better then the “standard”. If you like Art Pepper or are looking to hear some great alto saxophone, do yourself a favor and give this disc a listen.

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Art Pepper

Landscape -
Art Pepper
Live in Tokyo '79

Released: March 10, 2003
Origination Year: 1979
Time: 51:59
Tracks:7
Produced by: N/A
Mixed by: N/A
XRCD Mastered by:
Himromichi Takiguchi
Style: Live
Format: CD
Enhancement: XRCD24
Label: JVC
Website:

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