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This 1954 Columbia debut of the Dave Brubeck Quartet features the leader on piano, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Bob Bates on bass, and Joe Dodge on drums. Desmond is the star of the show. From the Brubeck/Desmond-penned “Balcony Rock” through the remaining five tracks, he plays some of the loveliest alto you’ll ever hear. This excellent release is from a newcomer to the reissues scene, Analog Spark. An imprint of Razor & Tie, the company started off with The Sound of Music, and its eclectic range of recent and upcoming releases includes both volumes of Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations, soundtracks from West Side Story and My Fair Lady, and albums by Kate Bush and Laura Nyro. The quality of Jazz Goes to College is first-rate: cut from the original mono tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, the vinyl was plated and pressed at RTI, and the jacket is of the old tip-on style. Not having an original on hand, all I can say is that, given the eclectic nature of these tracks, the sound here is quite good: balanced, warm, and sweet, with a natural sense of clarity and air. I’m excited to watch—and hear— Analog Spark’s evolution.
By Wayne Garcia
Although I’ve been a wine merchant for the past decade, my career in audio was triggered at age 12 when I heard the Stones’ Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! blasting from my future brother-in-law’s giant home-built horn speakers. The sound certainly wasn’t sophisticated, but, man, it sure was exciting.
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