Eric Alexander Quartet Gentle Ballads V SACD

This Single-Layer SACD can only be played on a Super Audio CD Player!
Fifth Installment from Highly Accomplished Jazz Musicians!
The fifth installment of tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander's "Gentle Ballads" series doesn't disappoint. His unwavering, strong tone and unsentimental approach, combined with a certain peacefulness and strong spirituality of his playing, produce stunning results. For the first time in this series, master pianist George Cables joins the band and makes valuable contributions.
The American musician Eric Wells Alexander began playing piano, clarinet and (at the age of twelve) alto saxophone, but switched to tenor saxophone and – after classical training – to jazz during his studies at the University of Indiana. He continued his studies at William Paterson College in New Jersey with Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid and pianist Harold Mabern. In 1991, he finished second in the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, behind superstar Joshua Redman, and made his first recordings with Charles Earland on Muse Records in the same year. Today, he is considered one of the best tenor saxophonists of his generation and has long been represented by Venus Records with numerous albums. The album "Gentle Ballads" from 2004, which Allmusic compared to Coltrane's Ballads LP from the early 60s, became so successful that it became a whole series with changing line-ups.
The quartet line-up on "Gentle Ballads V" is complemented by the great George Cables (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and Joe Farnswarth (drums). In the fifth part of the series, Eric Alexander also knows how to inspire. His distinctive, powerful tone and unsentimental approach, combined with a confident calm and strong spirituality, make for an impressive performance.
Venus Records was founded in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who had previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The label uses a special mastering process called "Hyper Magnum Sound" for the limited Japanese SACD (DSD, Non-Hybrid) of "Gentle Ballads V", which produces a very powerful, present sound and is highly appreciated by audiophiles worldwide.

Features:

• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Single-Layer SACD can only be played on a Super Audio CD Player! It will NOT play on conventional CD Players!
• Mixed & Mastered by Tetsuo Hara
• Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix Stereo
• Made in Japan

Musicians:

• Eric Alexander, tenor sax
• George Cables, piano
• Nat Reeves, bass
• Joe Farnswarth, drums

Selections:

1. The Thrill Is Gone
2. Tenderly
3. My One And Only Love
4. From This Moment On
5. The Shadow Of Your Smile
6. Nature Boy
7. Body And Soul
8. Violets For Your Furs
9. Dear Old Stockholm
10. The Summer Knows