JVC XRCD
Revisited for the First Time

By Steven R. Rochlin
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CD Stock Number: Various

  While not new to those who seek out great remastered music, i felt that a revisit (as it were) of the wonderful JVC XRCD music titles was in order. Here we have JVC, longtime manufacture taking part in remastering music dating back to before helping Mobile Fidelity with pressing their early Original Master Recording vinyl releases! Over time comes new technology and hence JVC's own releases using their own engineers and mastering systems. From using the original session master tape to using a highly controlled master clock to virtually eliminating jitter and other nasty digital gremlins. Every facet of the entire system, from system-wide electrical regulation to the use of their proprietary K2 laser system for reshaping the EFM signal just before it reaches the final cutting of the glass master. What does all this mean for the music lover?

It means that music lovers all around the world gain in hearing the these great old master tapes to extremely high fidelity. From titles like the smooth as silk vocal and guitar stylings of Take Love Easy with Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass to good ol' Sara Vaughn and friends How Long Has This Been Going On. Of course i must mention the wonderfully lively 88 Basie Street with Count Basie and his orchestra or how about the audiophile fave Mighty Sam McClain Give It Up To Love. SO much great music remastered for all the world to enjoy... and enjoy i did!

Starting with Take Love Easy with the ever lovable Ella and the great guitar playing of Joe it is obvious how these old master tapes have so much more on them than the standard commercially released CDs offer. Elle's voice seems to transcend time and space entering into my room and Joe's ever so velvety guitar sound brings deep satisfaction into the jazz lover in me. The music sounds so effortless and smooth it is like watching a great sunset while relaxing on the beach in the Caribbean. It doesn't get much better than this folks!

Of course 88 Basie Street with the Count Basie and his orchestra is just as you would imagine given the great sounds of the Take Love Easy review above. No need to describe how great the legendary Count Basie and orchestra music is. In fact i will not say much about this CD other than if you love big band jazz this CD is mandatory for your music collection.

For those audiophiles out there who already own the Audioquest CD (or vinyl) of Mighty Sam McClain Give It Up To Love, the JVC XRCD edges out the standard (and very highly acclaimed) normal Audioquest CD. While not a super huge difference in musical recording quality, the XRCD is a tad more dynamic and transparent and seems to have a bit more rhythmic soul too. This is possibly due to the JVC K2 system.

There are many other titles from Miles Davis or the Bill Evans Trio to the popular rock groups the Steve Miller band. JVC offers a wonderful sampler disc that contains ten songs from artists such as The Bill Holman Band, Ernie Watts, Tiger Oskoshi, Spirit Traveler, and six others! Of course if you are like me you would simply get the sampler, some Ella, a Miles, the Steve Miller, Might Sam McClain, Zoot Sims, Thelonious Monk...  Ok, i say get 'em all and live happily musically after! The end.  As always...

Enjoy the music,

Steven R. Rochlin

Enjoyment: 100

Sound Quality: various