Welcome to McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1, an album crafted with attention to every detail in pursuit of sonic excellence. Recorded and mastered with utmost precision on analog tape, it promises a rich, high-fidelity vinyl listening experience that will transport you into the studio to hear the musicians’ captivating performance and original sound.
Produced for McIntosh by iconic mastering studio Sterling Sound, the entire production and engineering process was meticulously managed by an expert team of producers and engineers. Every aspect of making this album, from recording and mixing in legendary studios, to mastering and cutting, to test playbacks on McIntosh systems, was undertaken with the single goal of creating the best sounding record possible while retaining the artistry and passion from the studio session. This unique collaboration between McIntosh and Sterling Sound results in an album worthy of the world’s most discerning listeners – McIntosh customers.
We invite you to sit back, relax, and experience the sonic richness of this live recording as if you were there. Welcome to McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1: The Peter Erskine Quartet.
33-1/3 – Side A
33-1/3 – Side B
45 – Side A
45 – Side B
Speaking about the musical marriage of drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles, journalist Jim Worsley from All About Jazz said, “The trio could be considered the perfect melting pot of creativity, complexity, and rhythm, pollinated with spontaneous interplay and intelligent conversation.” That’s quite a summary of these top-tier jazzmen who, after playing together for decades, find themselves at the top of their game. Their Live In Italy recording, which garnered a Grammy nomination in 2022, is evidence of their primacy.
What makes the meeting of minds extra special now is the addition of saxophonist Bob Mintzer, acclaimed composer, arranger, and founding member of the Yellowjackets. A long-time associate to all, Mintzer elevates the group’s collective mastery in a new project, McIntosh SESSIONS, a direct-to-tape recording representing the partnership between hi-end audio giants McIntosh and Sterling Sound. At the heart of this captured performance is a vibrant intimacy that speaks volumes about the singular power of jazz and pure, reproduced sound.
Erskine and company revealed this immediacy in the studio. But, in fact, they bring it to the stage each time they play.
AAA Production
Musicians:
Peter Erskine – Drums
Bob Mintzer – Saxophone
Alan Pasqua – Piano
Darek Oles – Bass
McIntosh SESSIONS Producers: Murat Aktar, Scott Burnett
Album Produced by Jeff Levenson
RECORDING
Recording Studio: Henson Recording Studios – Studio A, Hollywood, CA, September 14 – 18, 2023
Recorded & Mixed by Rich Breen
Assistant Engineers: Jacob Spitzer, Mark Kraus, Noah Rastegar
Technical Engineer: John Molino
Recorded & Mixed to Ampex ATR 102 1/2-inch 2 Track at 30 IPS and Studer A800 MKIII 2-inch 24 Track at 30 IPS
Tape Formulation: RTM SM900
McIntosh Playback System: MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifiers, C2700 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, and ML1 Loudspeakers Mk II
MASTERING
Mastering Studio: Sterling Sound, Nashville, TN, October 30 – 31, 2023
Mastered by Ryan Smith
McIntosh Playback System: MC830 Solid State Amplifiers, C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, MT5 and MT10 Precision Turntables, and XR50 Loudspeakers
CREATIVE
Creative Director: Larry Hampel, Charlie Randall, Mark Christensen
Art Director: John Doyle
Photography: Alessandro Gentile, Heather Flores
PRODUCTION
Pressing: 180 Gram Vinyl, Record Technology, Inc.
Album Jacket: Stoughton Printing Company
LEGAL
George Regis
Peter Erskine plays Tama Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Drum Heads
Peter Erskine appears courtesy of Fuzzy Music LLC
Bob Mintzer plays Eastman Saxophones
Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Piano artist
℗ 2024 McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
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