The interplay between the deep clear bass and the light haunting Indian instruments and tones gives this recording real life enhanced by the excellent sound quality.
I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.
• Clarity – excellent, no muddiness
• Channel separation - excellent
• Channel balance – excellent used in an innovative and unusual way, especially regarding the use of reverb which travels between the channels yet does not feel or sound artificial.
• Sound Stage – good, but not the broadest as primarily all in the centre. However the sound stage is exceptionally detailed.
• Distortion – non audible
• Compression – very good dynamic range, highs and lows do not sound limited or muted.
• Atmosphere – excellent, very much the laid back club lounge sound and feel that Thievery Corporation made their own.
• Bass – low frequencies - excellent, very detailed with the ability to “slam”. Bass guitar “thrums” away in the background whilst the drums have a good realistic presence. The kick drum sound is outstanding. The bass really powers away in the background.
• Treble – high frequencies – very good and interesting especially when the Indian sub continent elements come into play perfectly counter balancing the superb drum beats. The Indian tones add a subtle delicacy to this recording.
• Vocals – detailed, varied, haunting on occasion really add a sense of presence.
As a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.
Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.
By: Igloo