Vinyl Review: the name is Makowicz – Sheffield Lab 21 – Released 1983
Lab 21 – the name is Makowicz (ma-ko’-vitch) – 1983
Vinyl surface noise: 4 (not pops and clicks)
Dynamic Range: 4+
Stereo Imaging: 4+
Image depth/perspective: 4
Overall frequency response: 4
Side One
- A♭ Elegy (for Earl Hines)
- You Do Something To Me
- Dirty Blues
- Moondust
Side Two
- Tough Chic
- Pearl Grey
- Bop do Combo
- Past Tense
This album was recorded in the Sheffield Lab Studios at MGM, Culver City, California between April 25-29 1983.
The recordng was made with all-tube electronics using a single stereo microphone in order to preserve the natural acoustic perspective. This is the first time that this microphone techniques was used to record contemporary music, being perviously reserved for classical recordings. The approach was used in order to capture both the ambience of the studio and placement of the musicians.
At the time of release, the late record producer John Hammond is quoted as saying, ” The most astonishing pianistic talent of the last 30 years”
The lead in track showed some notable vinyl noise but this quickly subsided once the track started. However, vinyl noise was still evident during very quiet passages and between tracks.
The jazz musicianship and performance by this outstanding pianist together with the quintet and guest saxophonist, Phil Woods, was superb. Dynamics were excellent throughout, which I am sure was helped by there only being four short tracks on each side. Giving plenty of room for high levels of modulation from the cutting lathe.
The recording provided good stereo imaging with the acoustic piano firmly placed between the center and right hand speakers, the saxophone and double bass solos being located over to the left hand speaker and the electric piano and xylophone being located towards the right hand speaker. The drum kit was well spread across the entire stereo image, being nicely recessed to appear behind all the performers. The studios acoustics are clearly audible as a short decay, being very noticeable during quite passages and while the musicians setup between tracks, providing a pleasant warmth to the overall performance. The acoustic pianos dynamics are excellent providing some strong crescendos, but for me, the saxaphone solos of which there are many, stole the show. Many tracks providing a strong, and up front, highly dynamic sax solo full of feeling and sole. My only criticism was that the sax was occasionally a little strident, but that could have easily been just my system and the Genelecs.
The kit provided a typical jazz feel with lots of HF detail from the cymbals, bar chimes and hi-hat, plus a crisp and tight snare drum and tom toms. The kick drum was only really pushed towards the front of the mix once, during S1T2. The double bass provided a tight and clean feel on all tracks with some excellent solos found on S1T2 and S2T2.
Being a studio recording, and despite the use of just one stereo microphone, there was little depth to the instrument placement with the recording providing an ‘up front’ lineup. The kit being the exception to this, being clearly well recessed behind all the performers. With the single stereo microphone clearly catching all the studio ambience.
I had one very notable and repeatable tracking issue with this disc on S1T4, occurring during a xylophone crescendo at the very end of the track. Other than this minor issue all tracks provided a very clean and open sound stage.
This is a very good recording that was well performed and engineered, and is certainly a pleasure to listen to. Moondust standing out for its gentle intimate feel, with most other tracks providing a strong rythmyic jazz pace. All from a tight, and well rehearsed group of musicians.
If you are a jazz music fan, you should not be disappointed by this album. Makowicz and Woods providing you with a highly entertaining and vibrant performance, once again all captured by Sheffield’s outstanding engineering and cutting skills. If jazz is your cup of tea, or coffee, then this is yet another album that should be in your collection.
Available on vinyl and CD from Discogs, and CD from Sheffield Lab.
