Lembit Saarsalu and his saxophone
Saxophone virtuoso Lembit Saarsalu, who is celebrating his 75th birthday this year, visited the studio and meditated with the saxophone. The result was very beautiful and touching.
Tõnu Naissoo trio album ”Turning point” is online
The pianist and composer Tõnu Naissoo is one of the living legends of Estonian jazz. Throughout his impressive musical journey of 55 years, his preferred format has been the piano trio. With this lineup, he recorded his debut album, Tõnu Naissoo Trio (1968), now a favourite among collectors. In 1980, the trio recorded his next LP, its title Turning Point referring to an altered cast as well as new ventures in music. With one exception (Ornette Coleman’s Lonely Woman), the pieces on the album are Naissoo’s own compositions from 1977–1980, ranging from intimate ballads to post-bop characterised by intense rhythmics and intertwined ensemble play. Fresh colour is added by the Rhodes electric piano enriching and modernising the sound, and by experiments with the lineup.
Recording or production?
Since we have received several questions about our activities, I would like to talk about them once more:
The studio deals with music recording, mastering and audio production. The partner can choose:
- does he only want the audio recording with the final master;
- does he want a full service, i.e. recording, final mastering, LP release with associated license fees, etc.
In the first case, the partner has to pay for the recording service, which is usually 950 euros for 8 hours. Next, the partner decides what he wants to do with the recording. All further income (downloads, LP sales, etc.) belongs to him.
In the second case, the recording does not cost the subscriber anything. The studio produces the LP (quantity 500 pcs), pays the necessary fees and distributes and guarantees the partner 15 free LPs. Of course, the partner under copyright also receives royalties from the respective association. All proceeds from LP sales belong to the studio.
Which option suits you is already your choice.
T.Naissoo’s trio master was finished
Our team consisting of Priit Kuulber and Aular Soon spent a nice day in the studio mastering the vinyl remake of Tõnu Naissoo’s trio “Turning point”.
Thanks to the preserved original tape, we were able to leave the entire signal chain analog, and we recorded the vinyl master in DSD256.
During mastering, we adjusted the sound image a bit using a vintage UREI 1778 limiter and SSL Fusion – analog stereo master processor.
It must be admitted that the result was very good – even some parts that could not be heard properly were heard.
The vinyl record will be available in May this year.
A new rare microphone in our suitcase
In connection with jazz music projects, we were looking for a microphone that could best pick up the double bass. The C700A with serial number 110, produced by the American company Josephson Engineering, turned out to be this. The first tests showed that we have not achieved such recording detail before. The sound image of the double bass is juicy and deep. The dryness and so-called looseness caused by conventional microphones has disappeared. In the near future you will be able to hear our first jazz recording using Josephson C700A.
New album series coming
Being fans of real Estonian music, in addition to “Estonian Organs”, we have started a new record series “Estonian Jazz”. In the new series, we master and release already recorded jazz records and record the best of Estonian jazz in high definition (DSD). The recording medium will be a vinyl record. The first one we are working on is the Tõnu Naissoo Trio LP ’’Turningpoint’’, which was released in 1981 by ’’Melodyija’’. Thanks to the preserved magnetic tape, we can preserve the authenticity and sound of the analog recording on the vinyl record. The album should be ready in May this year. We invite jazz players who want to record their name in the history of Estonian jazz to contact us and arrange a recording time. Contact: dsd@apsoon.com.
The LPs of the Niguliste church organ are ready
We have good news! Niguliste’s organ LPs, which were supposed to be finished in November, were already delivered today. Thank you Santa for such a great gift! The presentation of the vinyl record will take place in February, when LP sales will also begin. We’ll keep you posted.
Merry Christmas everyone!
