Welcome to Issue 103, an issue with a strong
focus on music, wherein we have included our annual roundup of our favorite recordings from the past
year. The response from our writers to my request for input was better than ever this time around, with
the majority of the crew supplying an annotated list; I think you are really going to enjoy reading about
the music that the T$S writer found to be their favorites of 2004. In addition to [hat, this issue also
contains the usual assortment of equipment and music reviews.
At the time I write this, the rest of the magazine is already being typeset; consequently, I cannot
simply add another review to my More Jazz Than Not column. Instead, I will take the opportunity here and
now to pass along a recommendation on a startlingly good jazz recording that I recently purchased,
Transition Sonic by the Matthias Lupri Group (Summit Records DCD 398), which features Matthias Lupri
on vibes, Mark Turner on saxophones, Cuong Vu on trumpet, Nate Radley on guitar, Thomson Kneeland
on bass, and Jordan Perlson on drums. There are 12 cuts on this CD, but the overall effect is much like
that on the Pat Methenv Group's new release, The Way Up (on which Cuong Vu also plays), where
themes reoccur and the music in some way resembles a classical composition more than just a
collection of tunes. I will include a review in Issue 104. If you are a jazz fan, though, I would advise you to look for this
recording now. It is truly remarkable.
How to Communicate with Us: To order a new subscription, change an address on an existing
subscription, order back issues, or take care of other subscription-related matters, our business telephone
is (800) 695-8439, our business fax is (716) 833-0929, our business address is 403 Darwin Drive, Snyder,
NY 14226, our business e-mail address is SensiSound@aol.com, and our website is
www.sensiblesound.com. To correspond about any
editorial matters, pass along hot audio gossip, put us on your mailing list, or just blow off steam, please
write KWN directly at 9775 Mills Road, Ostrander, OH 43061. To submit a classified ad or inquire about
display advertising, please give Don Nowak a call at (800) 695-8439 or send him e-mail
at TSSAdv@aol.com.
Previews of Corning Attractions: Among the equipment we have in or have been promised for
review are loudspeakers from Infinity, Bang & Olufsen, Odyssey Design, and Phase Technology;
components from Spread Spectrum Technologies (James Bongiomo's company), Yamaha, and Odyssey
Design; and much more, including the usual bounty of music reviews, some in-depth technical analyses
by the inimitable Dr. Rich, but very little food and even less sex.
-KWN
One Last Thought: "It would be be brilliant to have
younger audiences but it’s not catastrophic if you don't. Concerts will never never have mass appeal. The only
things that genuinely do are food and sex." — Daniel Harding