Great video! I’m an experienced LP collector & audiophile (I have a Rega P8, too). But I learn something valuable from every one of your videos. Including this one. Thanks for all your hard work in putting together these videos for us! I don’t have any Sheffield Labs LPs, but I’m gonna start looking for them. Warmest regards, Ron
Brother Kenny, another informative video and what I like about this one is the info about Sheffield Lab. I just read that we are not to confuse this label with Sheffield Lab Matrix, which I thought surprising. Sheffield Lab Recordings is a label specializing in audiophile natural sound. Founded by Doug Sax, Sherwood Sax, and Lincoln Mayorga and located in California. I only have a few Items on this label, mostly on CD. Pat Coil, a jazz/session keyboardist from Texas, (Schemes and Dreams), and James Newton Howard, a synth player mostly, who has done music with David Paich, (Toto), and the three Porcaro brothers. These Sheffield Lab label items definitely have a sound that is so clean, its like you're in the studio recording with them. Love all your Sheffield Lab lp's, need to do some more shopping! Thanks again my brother!
Hi Kenny, I know nothing about the label discussed, but I remember when Adam Makowicz had his five minutes in the sun, and had enjoyed his few Concord CD’s at the time. Hey I’m so glad to see your channel growing…I recall when (not that long ago) there were far fewer views and likes than you’re getting on your videos now.
Thank you very much for always watching my videos. My channel has grown a bit because of great people like you who take the time to watch my videos 😊 ✌️
So glad you ran with challenge, Kenny! Fun to trip back down memory lane. Tower of Power is a stunner - as is Thelma Houston - both top collectibles in vinyl. You picked a great one to feature. Lots of the sidemen on these recording were studio first call musicians. Larry Carlton and Tom Scott come to mind, but the list is much longer. Oddball but compelling SL was the Japanese Kodo Drum record. These big drums have so much low undertones that the recording is visceral in a way few other recordings can capture. You’ll have to dig in to some of your other D2D recording from other labels. I have bunch of the Crystal, M&K recordings that definitely put you in the room. Some of the performances can be a bit stilted as the pressure for one take per side is palpable. You can definitely hear the page turns and cough and shuffling, but when these hit with stellar performances it is transcendent.
I have several Sheffield Labs and other Direct to Disk LPs, and can verify that they are all wonderful. I don't have the Makowicz album, but just now based on your recommendation, I've ordered it. Thanks for this review!
Anything with the name "Doug Sax" listed in the credits is worth having! I have about a dozen Sheffield labs records myself and believe they are if not THE best, among the best you'll ever hear.
The only Sheffeld recording I have is the Dave Grusin. I remember reading about the recording techniques. I thought it sounded pretty good, but my equipment is average, and I felt that most of my purchases seemed pretty good. I was getting a lot of GRP stuff around that time. As always, your videos are informative and very well done. Thank you.
Kenny: Good post. Yes, Sheffield Labs and Doug Sax have recorded some great material. There direct to disc Harry James things are fantastic. Also listen to Poor Boy by Michael Ruff in both stereo and mono versions. The mono version is only on Sheffield's Test and Burn in CD. A fantastic example of you are there. Another example of a great recording in the studio is the direct-to-disc session of Herbie Hancock on The Piano. It was recorded in Japan by Sony. This is an absolute gem with awesome you are there presence. As you point out, direct to disc recordings are difficult for both the engineer and the musician. The liner notes on The Piano say that Herbie was not phased by the added pressure of recording direct to disc. And don't forget the digital stuff being put out by Paul McGowan at P.S. Audio. I like your setup--large tower speakers in a smaller room. With good gear and good speakers this arrangement can offer great benefits versus a larger room set up.
"Sounds like the musicians are in the room" and "sounds like you are there" are two opposing recording concepts. When the instruments are close-mic'd with very little ambient sound that's when the event is put in your room. In pretty much all other cases, especially single stereo mic recordings like the Sheffield Lab one, the listener is taken to the recording venue. And thank god for that as it would be a VERY bad idea to squeeze a Jazz big band or a full symphony orchestra into your listening room :)
Harry Pearson, former editor of The Absolute Sound said the Sheffield Lab 5 Dave Grusin lp, had the most palpable presence of any lp he ever heard. The music is good, but not something you'd reach for every week to play. Sheffield Lab 2 Thelma Houston is also geat. Real good music. Make sure it's the Lab versions with a number after the word Lab. The Sheffield Treasury series of the exact same titles are from tape; not direct to disc like the Lab Series. Straight From The Heart by John Klemmer on Nautilus, also has that palpable presence. It is also a direct to disc. Flamenco Fever on M&K Realtime, direct to disc is a real gem too, but at auction it can get $300 and more
I recommend David Chesky's Primal Scream album. I believe it is only in CD format but man is it ever 'in the room'. Oh, and Shelley Manne 'The Manne We Love' is another great 'in the room' album (vinyl).
What's up Kenny my man! I would have to look through my archives for the few Sheffield Labs I have. One of them is a Tower of Power cd. I would love to find this on vinyl, as I firmly believe with my present analog set up it is easily capable of surpassing the cd even though it sounds great.
Live At Blue Note Tokyo (Live) Ai Kuwabara, Steve Gadd, Will Lee Steve Gadd Band - At Blue Note Tokyo (Live) Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine - Jazz At Berlin Philharmonic XI - The Last Call
Hahaha. You're gonna thank me for this one. I just got finished listening to the (The Name is Makowicz), and I've also listened to the, Peter Erskine (Mcintosh Sessions) album as well. I agree that I probably prefer the (My Mame is Makowicz) album as far as sound and performance. I then thought to myself, what do I think can match that same type of sound production with maybe a few other pristine factors going on? It came down to this live album. The album is (The Billy Bang Quintet featuring Frank Lowe/An Evening in Grand Rapids). It's a 10/10, in my opinion, and definitely enjoy.👍 One of the highlights on the album that might jump out at you is the song (Dark Silhouette). Yes yes yes 😊👍
I hadn't listened to my recent recommendation in a while. Since revisiting the live album, I would actually as far as sound and performance bump it up from a 10 out of 10 to a 20 out of 20. Enjoy👍
This is the first video that I’ve ever watched from you & you’re the first person in the VC that has stated what I’ve thought for a while: there are some records you really do have to just crank up a little to hear all of the layers of great detail. Mainly the mixes that predate when engineers decided to ruin that nuance when the loudness wars started..
Kenny, I just discovered your channel and have enjoyed the few videos I've watched so far. I wasn't familiar with Adam Makowicz or this album, but after listening to it, I agree that it sounds great. Probably my favorite "you are in the room" recording is Oscar Peterson's "The Trio: Live from Chicago." I definitely like to crank up the volume on that one when no one else is at home--better to hear the bottles and glasses clinking in the background.🙂
Thank you for bringing SL back on the scene. But there are current labels which strive for and deliver a similar listening experience. I. e. Chasing the Dragon in the UK with DtT resp. DtD records, LowSwing and Neuklang Studiokonzert series in Germany, AudioNautes and Fone in Italy. Worth exploring!
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews hi Kenny, you made me curious and I dug out the record. Turns out it’s a CES preview copy. It’s a normal Sheffield label but it’s stamped right under the logo CES Preview copy! The cover is the same. As I noted, the same tunes but played differently. Similar sonics and presentation. Very “you are there“.
my room is too small and too crowded for any real soundstage but I must say some of the Analog Productions 2 LP 45 rpm records, such as Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus sound terrific!! on my modest audiophile set up
GRP records was a far better digital recording focused label, i am a big fan of grp since they released all kinds of jazz styles/sounds and the recordings still sound great to this day. sucks the label started to sharply decline after grusin and rosen stepped down as the owners in 95
Heat album cover with a hair drier (record out of course), and the sticker should come off Then test in an inconspicuous spot with Goofoff or other mild solvent, spme where on the back first, Hope that helps, Your cannel is Great!
I have the Dave Grusin Sheffield Lab lp and it sounds great. My only problem with Sheffield Lab records is that I don’t care for the actual music on them. So I don’t buy them, if they had music that appealed to me I would buy them. The sound quality is great unfortunately my interest in the music is not. Just a matter of interest in the music. Thanks for the video….👍
HI Kenny, appreciate your insight on LP’s. I worked for an audio store in my college days and they sold Sheffield line. Have a bunch,…Harry James, James Newton Howard, Amanda McBroom, Dave G Discovered Again (both original and boxed version). I do not have the Makowicz. Will be on the lookout. Oh, I have some Crystal Clears, Direct to Disk (Moondance a particular favorite of mine), Nautilus (remember?), CBS Half Speeds and so on. Thx!
Thank you! From this video alone, you have opened a huge range of listening for me. Great stuff!
Great video! I’m an experienced LP collector & audiophile (I have a Rega P8, too). But I learn something valuable from every one of your videos. Including this one.
Thanks for all your hard work in putting together these videos for us!
I don’t have any Sheffield Labs LPs, but I’m gonna start looking for them.
Warmest regards,
Ron
Thank you very much Ron, I really appreciate your kind words of inspiration and thank you very much for watching my videos😊 ✌️
I like the way you dive into the subject. And share it with us.
Thank you very much, I appreciate that 😊 ✌️
I have a couple copies of the Sheffield drum album. It’s nothing but drum solos. Nothing else. It’s amazing
Ì have a half-speed mastered version of Al Dimeola's Elegant Gypsy. It sounds like the band is in the room
I have the Impex Records version of that album but I have not had a chance to listen to it yet, I will definitely check it out.
Play the title track at loud volume, the congas are on 1 side, then the electric solo takes over
Superb album btw
Hello Kenny, I have watch you a few times, I like what you're doing. Thank you.
I appreciate that very much, thank you 😊 ✌️
Brother Kenny, another informative video and what I like about this one is the info about Sheffield Lab. I just read that we are not to confuse this label with Sheffield Lab Matrix, which I thought surprising. Sheffield Lab Recordings is a label specializing in audiophile natural sound. Founded by Doug Sax, Sherwood Sax, and Lincoln Mayorga and located in California. I only have a few Items on this label, mostly on CD. Pat Coil, a jazz/session keyboardist from Texas, (Schemes and Dreams), and James Newton Howard, a synth player mostly, who has done music with David Paich, (Toto), and the three Porcaro brothers. These Sheffield Lab label items definitely have a sound that is so clean, its like you're in the studio recording with them. Love all your Sheffield Lab lp's, need to do some more shopping! Thanks again my brother!
Thanks Larry as always for watching and contributing your great comments 👍 😊 ✌️
I use the Sheffield Drum and Track record for system set-up and evaluation.
Hi Kenny, I know nothing about the label discussed, but I remember when Adam Makowicz had his five minutes in the sun, and had enjoyed his few Concord CD’s at the time. Hey I’m so glad to see your channel growing…I recall when (not that long ago) there were far fewer views and likes than you’re getting on your videos now.
Thank you very much for always watching my videos. My channel has grown a bit because of great people like you who take the time to watch my videos 😊 ✌️
So glad you ran with challenge, Kenny! Fun to trip back down memory lane. Tower of Power is a stunner - as is Thelma Houston - both top collectibles in vinyl. You picked a great one to feature. Lots of the sidemen on these recording were studio first call musicians. Larry Carlton and Tom Scott come to mind, but the list is much longer. Oddball but compelling SL was the Japanese Kodo Drum record. These big drums have so much low undertones that the recording is visceral in a way few other recordings can capture. You’ll have to dig in to some of your other D2D recording from other labels. I have bunch of the Crystal, M&K recordings that definitely put you in the room. Some of the performances can be a bit stilted as the pressure for one take per side is palpable. You can definitely hear the page turns and cough and shuffling, but when these hit with stellar performances it is transcendent.
On the other hand sometimes, you attend a concert and wish you were home listening to a record because the circumstances are difficult.
I can relate to that ✌️
I have a JVC XRCD of Gene Ammons "Boss Tenor" which also gives you a "they are in the room" feeling.
I have several Sheffield Labs and other Direct to Disk LPs, and can verify that they are all wonderful. I don't have the Makowicz album, but just now based on your recommendation, I've ordered it. Thanks for this review!
I hope that you enjoy the album 🎶
Anything with the name "Doug Sax" listed in the credits is worth having! I have about a dozen Sheffield labs records myself and believe they are if not THE best, among the best you'll ever hear.
The only Sheffeld recording I have is the Dave Grusin. I remember reading about the recording techniques. I thought it sounded pretty good, but my equipment is average, and I felt that most of my purchases seemed pretty good. I was getting a lot of GRP stuff around that time. As always, your videos are informative and very well done. Thank you.
I have not listened to my Dave Grusin album in a long time so I may have to do that soon. Thank you for watching 😊 ✌️
Kenny: Good post. Yes, Sheffield Labs and Doug Sax have recorded some great material. There direct to disc Harry James things are fantastic. Also listen to Poor Boy by Michael Ruff in both stereo and mono versions. The mono version is only on Sheffield's Test and Burn in CD. A fantastic example of you are there. Another example of a great recording in the studio is the direct-to-disc session of Herbie Hancock on The Piano. It was recorded in Japan by Sony. This is an absolute gem with awesome you are there presence. As you point out, direct to disc recordings are difficult for both the engineer and the musician. The liner notes on The Piano say that Herbie was not phased by the added pressure of recording direct to disc. And don't forget the digital stuff being put out by Paul McGowan at P.S. Audio. I like your setup--large tower speakers in a smaller room. With good gear and good speakers this arrangement can offer great benefits versus a larger room set up.
I appreciate your awsome comments and suggestions, thank you very much 😊 ✌️
"Sounds like the musicians are in the room" and "sounds like you are there" are two opposing recording concepts. When the instruments are close-mic'd with very little ambient sound that's when the event is put in your room. In pretty much all other cases, especially single stereo mic recordings like the Sheffield Lab one, the listener is taken to the recording venue. And thank god for that as it would be a VERY bad idea to squeeze a Jazz big band or a full symphony orchestra into your listening room :)
I appreciate your comments and opinions and thank you very much for taking the time to watch my video, I really appreciate it 😊 ✌️
Harry Pearson, former editor of The Absolute Sound said the Sheffield Lab 5 Dave Grusin lp, had the most palpable presence of any lp he ever heard. The music is good, but not something you'd reach for every week to play. Sheffield Lab 2 Thelma Houston is also geat. Real good music. Make sure it's the Lab versions with a number after the word Lab. The Sheffield Treasury series of the exact same titles are from tape; not direct to disc like the Lab Series. Straight From The Heart by John Klemmer on Nautilus, also has that palpable presence. It is also a direct to disc. Flamenco Fever on M&K Realtime, direct to disc is a real gem too, but at auction it can get $300 and more
Thank you very much for your information about Sheffield Labs and your recommendations 😊
I recommend David Chesky's Primal Scream album. I believe it is only in CD format but man is it ever 'in the room'. Oh, and Shelley Manne 'The Manne We Love' is another great 'in the room' album (vinyl).
Thank you for the recommendations 😊✌️
What's up Kenny my man! I would have to look through my archives for the few Sheffield Labs I have. One of them is a Tower of Power cd. I would love to find this on vinyl, as I firmly believe with my present analog set up it is easily capable of surpassing the cd even though it sounds great.
That CD must sound great on its own merit.
I have Makowicz. Is amazing records. Top top. Really. I have as well Pat coil limited. Amazing sound. Best Regards from Germany
Thank you very much for watching from Germany 😊
The Ramsey Lewis Trio, The In Crowd, live at the Bohemian Caverns, Washington DC 1965
Live At Blue Note Tokyo (Live)
Ai Kuwabara, Steve Gadd, Will Lee
Steve Gadd Band - At Blue Note Tokyo (Live)
Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine - Jazz At Berlin Philharmonic XI - The Last Call
Hahaha. You're gonna thank me for this one. I just got finished listening to the (The Name is Makowicz), and I've also listened to the, Peter Erskine (Mcintosh Sessions) album as well. I agree that I probably prefer the (My Mame is Makowicz) album as far as sound and performance. I then thought to myself, what do I think can match that same type of sound production with maybe a few other pristine factors going on? It came down to this live album. The album is (The Billy Bang Quintet featuring Frank Lowe/An Evening in Grand Rapids). It's a 10/10, in my opinion, and definitely enjoy.👍 One of the highlights on the album that might jump out at you is the song (Dark Silhouette). Yes yes yes 😊👍
Thank you very much for taking the time to listening to the two albums and expressing your opinion, I appreciate that 😊 ✌️
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews Thank you as well and I hope you enjoy the recommendation.👍
Another cool label is Mapleshade founded by Pierre Something-or-other a former aeronautics engineer.
Pierre Sprey was his name. I definitely agree with you. Those Mapleshade records are truly spectacular!👍
Kenny u have great audiophile videos love your input!
I appreciate that, thank you very much😊 ✌️
I hadn't listened to my recent recommendation in a while. Since revisiting the live album, I would actually as far as sound and performance bump it up from a 10 out of 10 to a 20 out of 20. Enjoy👍
Just listened to some of this album on headphones here on RUclips and yes you are right the sound quality is exceptional.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the listing experience of the album. Thank you for posting your comments 😊 ✌️
Fred Taylor Court of Circe
This is the first video that I’ve ever watched from you & you’re the first person in the VC that has stated what I’ve thought for a while: there are some records you really do have to just crank up a little to hear all of the layers of great detail. Mainly the mixes that predate when engineers decided to ruin that nuance when the loudness wars started..
I appreciate your comments, thank you ✌️
Kenny, I just discovered your channel and have enjoyed the few videos I've watched so far. I wasn't familiar with Adam Makowicz or this album, but after listening to it, I agree that it sounds great. Probably my favorite "you are in the room" recording is Oscar Peterson's "The Trio: Live from Chicago." I definitely like to crank up the volume on that one when no one else is at home--better to hear the bottles and glasses clinking in the background.🙂
I'll have to check and see if I have that album. Thank you for the recommendation 😊 ✌️
Thank you for bringing SL back on the scene. But there are current labels which strive for and deliver a similar listening experience. I. e. Chasing the Dragon in the UK with DtT resp. DtD records, LowSwing and Neuklang Studiokonzert series in Germany, AudioNautes and Fone in Italy. Worth exploring!
My demo Lp for years! There are two versions of which I have both. Two different sessions!
Thanks for the info as I did not know there was a 2nd session.
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews hi Kenny, you made me curious and I dug out the record. Turns out it’s a CES preview copy. It’s a normal Sheffield label but it’s stamped right under the logo CES Preview copy! The cover is the same. As I noted, the same tunes but played differently. Similar sonics and presentation. Very “you are there“.
susbcribed and liked
Thank you very much 😊✌️
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews another music reviewer was needed thank you
my room is too small and too crowded for any real soundstage but I must say some of the Analog Productions 2 LP 45 rpm records, such as Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus sound terrific!! on my modest audiophile set up
Nice chann. I subscribed
I appreciate that, thank you 😊 ✌️
@@kennysaudiophilerecordreviews I'm spinning everyday on Kuzma table. Contemporary Jazz
i have the Mackowicz album, but on CD.
GRP records was a far better digital recording focused label, i am a big fan of grp since they released all kinds of jazz styles/sounds and the recordings still sound great to this day. sucks the label started to sharply decline after grusin and rosen stepped down as the owners in 95
I've found a lot of the Sheffield Labs artists on Spotify. I know Spotify not the ideal way to listen, but thanks for the info
Thank you for watching 😊✌️
Heat album cover with a hair drier (record out of course), and the sticker should come off Then test in an inconspicuous spot with Goofoff or other mild solvent, spme where on the back first, Hope that helps, Your cannel is Great!
Thank you very much for your suggestion 😊
I have the Dave Grusin Sheffield Lab lp and it sounds great. My only problem with Sheffield Lab records is that I don’t care for the actual music on them. So I don’t buy them, if they had music that appealed to me I would buy them. The sound quality is great unfortunately my interest in the music is not. Just a matter of interest in the music. Thanks for the video….👍
Hey John, I agree that Sheffield Labs comes up short as far as the potential for releasing really interesting music hasn't been realized.
I appreciate your opinion and thank you for watching ✌️
HI Kenny, appreciate your insight on LP’s. I worked for an audio store in my college days and they sold Sheffield line. Have a bunch,…Harry James, James Newton Howard, Amanda McBroom, Dave G Discovered Again (both original and boxed version). I do not have the Makowicz. Will be on the lookout. Oh, I have some Crystal Clears, Direct to Disk (Moondance a particular favorite of mine), Nautilus (remember?), CBS Half Speeds and so on. Thx!
Thank you very much for watching and sharing your comments. I think I may have a couple of Nautilus albums.
I have a few Sheffiled Labs lps dont remember who the artists are now though---some nice discs you have there
Thank you very much ✌️