Jerome Sabbagh Vintage Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape (2 Reels)

Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape!
Studio Master Copy with 2 Metal Reels!
In 1988, the then 15-year-old saxophone student Jérôme Sabbagh had the pleasure of being a spectator at a Stan Getz concert in Paris. On stage: jazz pianist Kenny Barron. Deeply impressed by the interplay of these two masters, the concert had a lasting influence on Sabbagh's musical development and career. 32 years later, the saxophonist has now made his dream come true – his own recording with Barron on piano. The result is the album "Vintage", a tribute to the "good old" jazz heroes, as the Frenchman is a friend of traditional, straightforward jazz. The quartet is greatly complemented by Joe Martin on bass and Barron's regular drummer Jonathan Blake.
At the beginning there is an original composition by Sabbagh, the melodic title song "Vintage", which forms a successful prelude with a Latin-peppered finale and fiery saxophone and piano improvisations. Other tracks that show his flair for harmonious compositions are "Slay The Giant" and the cheerful, Brazilian-inspired "Elson's Energy". With Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lonesome Thing" and Monk's "Ask Me Now", the listener can expect two wonderful ballads played in duo, while Tadd Dameron's "On a Misty Night" (a joint favorite of Sabbagh and Barron) flows incredibly casually and brings a magnificent piano solo. Another Monk track is the groovy "We See".
The recordings took place in 2020 at Oktaven Audio on analog multitrack tape by Ryan Streber, the mixing by Pete Rende on an Ampex 351 tube tape recorder on 1/2-inch tape. The remastering was done by legend Bernie Grundman.
This unique, informal encounter shows how beautifully music can flow - "Vintage" invites you to enjoy.
“This whole album documents a stunning performance, and is a gorgeous recording. It has such a 1950s feel – the tonality and authenticity, yet coupled with a 21st century resolution and fidelity […] On tape, compared to the vinyl, the image placement is now set in stone. It’s rock solid, holographic, tangibly tactile. The dynamic range – both in an overall sense and in the subtler micro dynamics that so define the reality of natural sounds – is far superior. Perhaps the most notable difference of them all is how the gaps between notes seem clearer, more defined. As a result, the sense of timing, of real musicians with real feel, is more present and ‘live’ […] I bought the tape after this review as I didn’t want to return it!” - Dave Denyer, The Reel-to-Reel Rambler
“With Vintage, Sabbagh is le son. The beauty, breadth and clarity of his tone is just stunning […] This is an important album by four masters of this American art form.” - Keith Hoffman, The New York City Jazz Record
“Demo quality AAA sound and equally great music with Kenny Barron, Johnathan Blake and Joe Martin backing Sabbagh's lovely saxophone. Would be at home amongst your 'Tone Poet' collection.” - Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle (Music=10, Sound=11)
“Jerome Sabbagh’s Vintage was one of the best jazz albums of 2023.” - Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound
“This is a superb quartet. Each player brings an equal amount to the table, a daunting task for all involved when playing with someone like Kenny Barron, who was Stan Getz’s pianist for many years. […] The recording is from Audiophile Demo Land. Warm, detailed, great bass from Barron’s left hand, plucky string bass and splashy-as-hell cymbals all with a focused Van Gelder-style recording. No higher praise from me.” - Anthony Kershaw, Audiophilia (Audiophilia Dream List)
“This is an album with serious audiophile cred. […] But in contrast to most new audiophile LPs—I'm intentionally excluding audiophile reissues of classic records—this one features frontline musicians.” - Jim Austin, Stereophile (Recording of the month, Performance ****, Sonics ****½)
“Interactive and playful on the quartet songs, and with adventurous playing from Sabbagh and Barron both, on the duets “We See” and “Ask Me Now” (Monk), this is an exquisitely balanced record.” - Sylvain Siclier, Le Monde
“Less is more … This is an album that invigorates the jazz tradition, without forcing things, but without mothballs either. A real jazz record.” - Jazz News
“Jerome brings sensitivity and intelligence to his playing and composing, and with Barron, Vintage has enormous maturity and grace. Spring for the vinyl if you can. Jerome is an audiophile, and meticulously oversaw the mastering and production.” - Marc Myers, Jazzwax

Features:

• Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape
• Studio Master Copy
• 2 x Metal Reel Tape
• Tape Material: RTM SM911
• Recording Speed: 15IPS-38cm/sec
• Equalization: IEC/CCIR
• Bandwidth & Tracks: 1/4" - 2 Track
• Reel: Metal spool - 10.5" - 26,5 cm
• Direct to Analog Tape and Mastered by Bernie Grundman
• Recorded by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon
• Mixed by Pete Rende at Brooklyn Recording, Brooklyn

Musicians:

• Jerome Sabbagh, tenor saxophone
• Kenny Barron, piano
• Joe Martin, bass
• Johnathan Blake, drums

Selections:

Mastertape Studio 1
1. Vintage (Jerome Sabbagh) 5:22
2. On A Misty Night (Tadd Dameron) 7:26
3. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (Billy Strayhorn) 5:40
Mastertape Studio 2
1. Elson’s Energy (Jerome Sabbagh) 4:39
2. Slay The Giant (Jerome Sabbagh) 5:29
3. We See (Thelonious Monk) 5:14
4. Ask Me Now (Thelonious Monk) 7:04

Total Time: 41:26