Cafe Blue - Unmastered

Fantastic audiophile sound

great album. different mix, but equally as good as the Mofi SACD.

I was told about the "Unmastered" version by an "audiophile" friend that suggested I check it out. I really enjoy this version of a favorite recording. I find that by having less post-processing this version of the recording stands out as a clear winner. I have the HDCD mastering as well as the original and once I heard this one I realized how much artificial echo was added to the recording. This one is just smoother and more pleasing to listen to for my ears. It is easier to pick up the fine details. The mastering is the same on the Redbook and SACD layer so it can be enjoyed by all. I highly recommend it to all Patricia Barber fans.

Buy it and compare it with the remaster one is a real pleasure. An album to bring with you on an island... of pleasure! Fabulous music with excellent intrepretation! Jazz at his best. One of my best cd ever bought. Since its release in 1994, this album has remained a benchmark for both sonic and musical achievement. There is everything in this album, but above all a pleasurable pleasure. I have even just rediscovered Too rich for my blood with its lyrical song and this intoxicating percussion. Truly, a great masterpiece!

Very good and enjoyable recording. I like the variety on the CD and musically it was well defined on my system which will present the content as recorded - good as good and bad as bad.

The so-called "unmastered" SACD is my only version of this classic. While a fan of Patricia Barber, I found that the deeper into got into her releases, the more I prefer the early recordings. On my system, through a Marantz 8004, tubed amplifier and Wharfedale speakers, cold I might add, not warmed up, the music emerges in a very forward reaching holographic soundstage. The piano, conga drums, and especially her voice have a rich and warm timbre . Based on the official release information, the DSD source picked up the room ambience, space and tone, hence a stripped down flat soundboard mix. Seeing as how this cost me under $30, and sounds killer, I can finally scratch the long out of print Mofi SACD version that costs bucka bucks off my list. Ergo the gold CD release that also has skyrocketed since going out of production. Better than this? Maybe the Mofi 45rpm of 2005 vintage, or the Kevin Gray version on vinyl, but to my ears, this release is a solid keeper. Save your money, don't compare it to other versions!

One of if not best recordings of Cafe Blue. A must have!!!!!

Highly recommended