Jazz At The Pawnshop Various Artists (200g Vinyl 2LP) * * *

Deluxe Edition 200g Vinyl 2LP Mastered by René Laflamme at 2xHD on Nagra Equipment, Cut All Analog at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Plated by Master Craft and Pressed at Le Vinylist in Quebec

The peerless recordings that construct the audiophile favorite Jazz At The Pawnshop were made in Stockholm, Sweden on December 6-7, 1976 by engineer Gert Palmcrantz while producer/record company owner Jacob Boëthius kept a watchful eye over the proceedings. One microphone pair spaced 20 cm apart was responsible for the main pick-up, with a couple of microphones placed to register the "live" atmosphere of the Pawnshop jazz club and a few discrete support mics – all recorded on to a pair of two-track Nagra tape recorders by Palmcratz in the restaurant kitchen!

All who have listened to these timeless recordings can vouch for their realism and uncanny "you are there"-feeling – you simply enter a new, musical world. But the superb technology of the recording is only part of it – the musicianship and skill of Sweden's finest jazz musicians is just as important. These experienced gentlemen were at the height of their powers these winter evenings more than 45 years ago.

The group was lead by alto saxophone player Arne Domnérus, who was once described by Charlie Parker as "a very good player, almost as good as me." Pianist Bengt Hallberg had impressed Stan Getz when moving through the strangest of keys without any effort, and the rhythm section of bass player Georg Riedel and drummer Egil Johansen was the finest in Sweden at the time.

In the high end audio world, audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme has carved out a reputation for definition of excellence. Manufacturers of audiophile equipment such as Nagra Audio, renowned D to A converter manufacturer dCS Ltd and high-end turntable manufacturers, Kronos Audio seek his expertise in representation and assistance in design. Audiophile quality microphone designer and 8 time winner of 'Best sound in show' at high-end audio equipment conventions, Laflamme uses his knowledge and unfailing instinct to match various audio components to create the best all-encompassing sound experience. The exclusive 2xHD system is the fruit of Laflamme's total experience and imagination.

Musicians:
Arne Domnerus (alto saxophone, clarinet)
Lars Erstrand (vibes)
Bengt Hallberg (piano)
Georg Riedel (bass)
Egil Johansen (drums)