Albums of the Year – 2023 Nominations

In 2023 new labels joined NativeDSD and the number of new DSD albums grew strongly. Senior Reviewer Bill Dodd, Technical Advisor Brian Moura and David Hopkins chose the nominees in 16 categories.

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• Orchestral · Latin Music · Solo Instrumental · Vocal · Chamber Music · Vocal (Classical) · Rock · Film Music · Soloist with Orchestra · World Music · Jazz Solo Instrumental · Jazz Duo · Jazz Trio · Jazz Fusion · Opera · Big Band & Swing

View All Nominated Albums in the Store · See the 2023 winners

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Orchestral (Bill Dodd)

This is an exuberant, powerful performance conducted by the young maestro from Venezuela, and the Montreal Band is excellent. Together they blow the dust of this symphony to make it almost new again.

The Czech Philharmonic is one of the world’s great orchestras, and Bychkov conducts a fine performance of the Mahler 1^st. It’s easily the best of his current cycle of Mahler symphonies. Bychkov takes his time to bring out the beauty of the work.

Karina Canellakis is a rising star in the rarefied world of conductors, and she conducts an excellent Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, and his Four Orchestral Pieces. She gets below the surface of this music and brings it home.

I can’t separate these two releases, just a few months apart. I would happily recommend both to anyone seeking modern recordings and lively, well thought out performances that stand with the best. Like Noseda’s Beethoven 1 and 3 last year, they are an easy recommendation. Noseda’s latest with 2 and 7 has arrived a bit late for these nominations, but I encourage you to check it out as well. I’m excited about the possibility of 9 next year.

Honeck delivers a strong performance of the Fifth, without the sentimentality that hangs on so many performances. I enjoyed this one! The recording is first class, as well.

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Latin Music (Brian Moura)

Singer, Guitarist and Composer Patricio Baeza brings us Con Guitarra (With Guitar). Accompanied by a host of talented musicians and singers from Latin America, the album delighted listeners and was a surprise NativeDSD best seller for several weeks. A highlight of the album is Baeza’s duet with Chilean Tenor Marió Diaz Varas on the song Besame Mucho.

Aliud brings us Ahora, a tribute to Tango music with an unusual “tango trio” featuring Bandoneon, Violin and Piano. Also worth noting is that most of the album’s music has been written by members of the trio rather than performing standards of the genre as one usually finds on a tango album. Available at NativeDSD in Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound DSD, this fine recording by Aliud’s Jos Boerland was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. A well-deserved bit of recognition for one of this year’s top Latin Music releases at NativeDSD.

Jazz Pianist Donald Vega is known for his playing in the Ron Carter Golden Striker Trio, his selection this year as a Guggenheim Fellow and a teacher at The Julliard School. As I Travel is a musical journey that reflects Vega’s travels from his native Nicaragua to the Jazz scene in New York. Accompanied by top Jazz musicians Lewis Nash, John Patitucci and Luisito Quintero, the album features top shelf playing and fine Latin Jazz. A finely crafted set from start to finish.

After delving into the world of Soul Classics of the ‘70s and ‘80s in their earlier album Free: Soulful Piano Reflections, the Witmer Trio brought us an album of Latin American Music in 2023 titled Cuban Fantasy. The album is said to be a return to the trio’s origins that focused on musical styles including salsa, cha-cha, bolero, bachata, and cumbia. The playing on the album shows a familiarity and ease with the music from a very talented trio. Adding to the performances is an excellent Stereo recording and special guest Jan-Luc van Eendenburg on congas and bongos. It is just the thing for a relaxing listen.

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Solo Instrumental (Bill Dodd)

Here’s another recording of Bach’s well known, and well loved cello suites. But this one is totally refreshing. She finds new meanings in these suites, and brings them out quite successfully. Just when I think I’ve heard everything these suites have to offer, Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir opens the windows, and pulls back the shades! The word “Marrow” is part of her interpretation— see the booklet for more.

Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words make up the bulk of this album. Whether you are familiar or not with these pieces, Levingston brings out the depth feelings they contain. Cutting to the chase: You will be enchanted.

British Pianist Sebastian Stanley shows a true commitment to Rachmaninoff with fine readings of the Variations On A Theme By Chopin, 3 Nocturnes, and others. He is able to find the true emotions of these pieces without sentimentality. Very impressive!

Murmurations refers to a flock of birds flying together and changing direction together. It’s a good choice for this album. Murmurations is a goldmine of sparkling, accessible music from Satie, sprinkled with works from some of his admirers– Cage, Glass, Mompou, and others spanning the 20^th Century. It works!

Katelyn Bouska is a superb pianist. She is also teaches at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. The concept for this album is the product of isolation during the pandemic. I’m not going to attempt to explain it in just a line or two– you can read the album description or download the booklet. I urge you to do so. This is superb, soul wrenching music-making.

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Vocal (Brian Moura)

Grammy Award-Winning Album

Patricia Barber’s Modern Cool album is an audiophile classic that has been previously released on Stereo CD, Stereo SACD and Blu-Ray Audio disc. NativeDSD has partnered with Impex Records to bring the album to our listeners in an Exclusive Early Release in Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound DSD and DXD. Co-Producer and Recording Engineer Jim Anderson says, “This release of Modern Cool faithfully reproduces the original Stereo & 5.1 Surround Sound editions of the album.” Featuring Barber’s performance of Light My Fire – first made popular by The Doors, listeners will enjoy over an hour of fine music. It is a must-buy album for Patricia Barber fans.

Two years ago, singer Carmen Gomes and her Jazz ensemble Carmen Gomes Inc. reinvented the music of blues great Robert Johnson on the album Up Jumped The Devil. In 2023, she returns with the second edition of her tribute to Johnson with the album Stones In My Passway. Recorded to Stereo PCM 768k using an Analog Mixing Board, the album brings us another emotive and compelling performance of Johnson’s songs. Accompanied by just the right amount of subtle musical accents plus atmospherics and effects from recording engineer Frans de Rond the album really pulls you into each song and creates its own musical world from start to finish. This is an outstanding addition to any musical collection.

Ocean Floor brings together Cellist and Vocalist Ayanna Witter-Johnson, pianist Gwilym Simcock & the London Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble. It explores the music of Africa and Jamaica in a passionate and energetic performance of original compositions that mix Alternative R&B, Classical, and influences from Soul, Hip Hop and Reggae music. Available in both Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound DSD this is one of the year’s most interesting and fascinating releases.

Rene Laflamme brings NativeDSD listeners a combination of new and remastered classic Vocal, Jazz and Classical Music recordings each year from 2xHD as well as with partnerships with Reference Recordings, Storyville Records and Jazzology. On Jazz Ballads, Volume 3 we are treated to the best of Jazz Ballads and Vocals from musical stars of the past and today. The songs on the album range from Shirley Horn’s classic interpretation of the song Dindi to Singer, Songwriter & Trombone Player Aubrey Logan with her song The Remembering Song. Not to mention tracks by Billie Holiday, Holly Cole, Sarah Vaughan, The L.A. Network and many more. It is a musical treasure chest that is not to be missed.

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Chamber Music (Bill Dodd)

Fine renditions of cello Sonatas by one of my favorite composers of the 20^th Century, Bohuslav Martinu! From darkness to joyous release, one always feels a living, breathing reality in the music of Martinu. Moser and Krobeinikov are superb.

Another album that brings some fresh air to a old favorite! As David Barker wrote for MusicWeb International, “Goldberg meets Brandenburg in a very succesful merger.” Chad Kelly has arranged the Goldberg Variations for Keyboard for chamber orchestra. There have been other “arrangements” of the Goldbergs, but this one glows with the talents of Rachel Podger and the marvelous chamber orchestra, Brecon Baroque.

Fabulous, intimate music guaranteed to put you in Paris in the first half of the 20^th Century. The liner notes (you can download the booklet) are especially interesting, but the music is played beautifully by this “duo”.

CPE Bach was, and still is in the shadow of his father. But this recording shows how much he grew as a composer. The first two sonatas are early, but then the works are from much later in his life. I hope more musicians will discover CPE Bach. I can’t imagine a better pair to be playing this music, and the Channel sound is first class.

Stravinsky’s resetting of music from his ballet score Pulcinella into the Suite Italienne, and sonatas from Poulenc and Debussy make up this superb collection. Paris must have been an amazing place to be before the war.

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Vocal (Classical) (Bill Dodd)

Previously I wrote, “Rich, beautiful music – Perfectly recorded. Don’t miss this one!” There are stories behind many of these works, and those stories are in the music. This is a truly beautiful album!

“Folk Songs” with collections by Bartok, Berio, Ravel, and Montsalvatge. Magdalena Kozena’s mezzo soprano seems perfect for these songs. Sir Simon’s accompaniment is excellent. The Pentatone recording is excellent.

A lost manuscript, found after nearly 400 years in a seminary, exquisite recording quality, and the superb singing of Trio Mediaeval make this a must have for lovers of 14^th and 15^th Century church music. Plus it features the first Organetto I can recall ever hearing. There’s even a picture.

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Rock (David Hopkins)

This cinematic rock album will take you on a journey – turn the lights low and buckle up for the ride! Thomas Feiner’s hauntingly rich vocals keep you curious and on edge throughout, while the piano, steady rhythmic synths and string section drive the songs along in a storyline of sound.

This group captures the sound of another time… a time when distortion-drenched guitar bands led by egomaniacal frontmen were on top of the world. This is classic, hard rock from a killer group, plain and simple.

This recording was chosen not only for it’s exceptional sound, but also for the technical ability from the musicians. Prog-Rock as a genre is known for it’s speed, precision, and almost classical-inspired compositions – and Horizont does the genre justice. It’s spacey, dynamic, and constantly evolving, never allowing for a dull moment. Just as the cover art depicts a climber facing his inevitable ascent, this music drives you ever-forward and onward to the unknown.

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Film Music (Brian Moura)

One of 2023’s Best Selling Albums at NativeDSD features 13 of the best-known Movie and TV Themes composed by John Williams. The performances by The Dallas Winds with Trumpeter Christopher Martin will bring back memories from The Olympics, Star Wars, Superman, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and several more. A fine album to add to your DSD collection.

For 15 years pianist, composer and arranger Kálmán Oláh dreamed of a tribute album to Film and TV composer Michel Legrand. For this he would need a fine singer, a versatile Jazz Trio, a String Chamber Orchestra, talented soloists and fine arrangements to perform classics including The Windmills of Your Mind, The Summer Knows (Theme From Summer of ’42) How Do You Keep The Music Playing? and What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life? On this album, all of these elements come together in a very enjoyable tribute to one of the great composers of our time.

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Soloist with Orchestra (Bill Dodd)

Veronika Eberle and Sir Simon do a fine job with the Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, but I join many others in singling out the new cadenzas by Jorg Widmann for new life to this landmark work.

These two concertos come from different times in Prokofiev’s life, and are quite different from each other. Maria Milstein digs way down into each in such a way that I feel like I’m really feeling the composer’s intentions. These recordings have risen to the top of my list. The Channel sound is, as usual, suberb!

I’ll defer to Rush Paul, from his review on Positive Feedback: Her delivery is not bravura for it’s own sake. It’s is never a matter of “look at me, hear what I can do” – it is always “listen to what Rachmaninoff is sharing with us.” Listen to the samples!

I’ll start with the bottom line: These are all of the Concertos, and they are all the recordings I would ever need. Ohlsson and Runnicles are of one mind, and one heart. The orchestra is made up of top players from all over. And you get them all at a very attractive price! Oh… and don’t forget the top quality Reference recording. Absolutely excellent!

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World Music (Brian Moura)

This is a unique album that features Hungarian Folk Music collected by composer Bela Bartok from Bihor Country and music from Transylvania. It is performed by the 7 member Attacca World Music ensemble with guest musician Kalman Balogh. The album offers contrasts between samples of some of the original compositions from 1909-1910 on cylinder recordings and new recordings by the Attacca World Music ensemble recorded in Stereo Pure DSD 256. One NativeDSD listener called Bihar is one of the best albums in the entire NativeDSD catalog. I found it to be a lively and fun journey through almost an hour of very enjoyable music.

On Waraba (“The Lion” in the Bamana language) we hear the music of Double Bass player Jean-Jacques Avenel and Flutist Michel Edelin (both from France) with Yakhouba Sissokho, Lansiné Kouyaté and Moriba Koita creating what Avenel calls a World Jazz band. The tracks feature West African Manding music with Jazz stylings. It’s a tasty and upbeat blend of sounds that will keep you coming back to explore the music further – whether you are listening in Stereo or in 5 Channel Surround Sound Pure DSD.

The first release at NativeDSD from Regga Records was this album of Hebrew music performed solely with Acoustic Guitar and Vocals. This focuses your attention on the lyrics and heartfelt feeling behind the singer’s interpretation of each song. Truly an album to listen to in a quiet reflective setting. It was one of 2023’s Best Selling Albums at NativeDSD and the one with the most listener 5-Star reviews.

The Rembrandt Trio featuring composer and pianist Rembrandt Frerichs, bass player Tony Overwater and percussionist Vinsent Planjer continue their exploration of bringing together Jazz and World Music with their 4th album at NativeDSD – Intizar: Songs of Longing. This time they are joined by Iranian singer Mohammad Motamedi who brings Persian poetry to the album with a keen ability to find just the right verses to meet the moment. The Trio enhances the musical possibilities on some tracks by adding three more top flight musicians – Maya Fridman (cello), Maarten Ornstein (clarinet) and Myrthe Helder (violin). It is a musical experience not to be missed.

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Jazz Solo Instrumental (Brian Moura)

Roland Dornyei credits the guests at the Spirit Hotel for inspiring the creation of the album Piano Solo Music. Dornyei describes the album as giving listeners a chance to experience “Bar Piano” playing. It features selections from almost 70 songs in an 80-minute program. The program is divided up into a multitude of genres including Hungarian and International Hits, Chansons, Jazz Standards, Musicals, Pop Hits, Film and Soundtrack Music, World Music, Hungarian Folk Songs, Italian, French and Russian Songs and Classical Interpretations. The album is enjoyable to listen to as you are treated to one favorite after another.

This album features 12 original tracks composed and played by Csaba Pengo on Double Bass. In the liner notes, Pengo says that he rehearses each song before recording and he pays close attention to every note. Stopping the recording and starting again if something is not just right. His attention to detail and exploration of what is musically possible with the Double Bass is what makes this album special. It is also a showcase for recording in the Stereo Pure DSD 256 format delivering detail and dynamic range that will test the finest of audio systems. If you missed this album when it was released earlier this year, be sure to download a copy now.

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Jazz Duo (Brian Moura)

A tribute to the City of Budapest from Juhász Gábor & Gyémánt Bálint, two guitarists in love with the City. Gabor gave guitar lessons to Balint and convinced him to become a Jazz guitarist. All but one of the songs on the album are written by the duo. A NativeDSD listener said the album features “Excellent Music with an Excellent Recording.” That says it all.

Recorded during the Covid pandemic, Crescent features pianist Atzko Kohashi and double bass player Tony Overwater, two very familiar and prolific Jazz musicians that each have multiple albums in the NativeDSD catalog. On this album they perform four songs from John Coltrane as well as classics from Bob Haggard, Charlie Haden and Jules Styne plus a track written by Tony Overwater. The album gives chances for both members of the duo to shine in a well-recorded and enjoyable release.

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Jazz Trio (Brian Moura)

NativeDSD listeners will remember pianist Gabor Csordas for his Pure DSD 256 Stereo recording Chasing A Dream which won Album of the Year honors last year in the Jazz Piano category. Swansong is the third in a series of albums from the trio of Gábor Csordás, Marty Risemberg & Noriaki Hosoya. It follows the two earlier Pure DSD 256 Stereo albums Turbulence and Do Swans Fly? from the trio. All the music on the album has been composed by members of the trio. It is refreshing and upbeat Jazz. A delightful album for any occasion.

On Lujon, Jazz Pianist Atzko Kohashi is joined by Frans van der Hoeven (Double Bass) and Sebastiaan Kaptein (Drums) to bring us an album of original compositions and Jazz standards. The standards are from an all-star group of composers including Henry Mancini, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Kenny Wheeler, George Gershwin, and Charlie Chaplin. The album has a warm ambient sonic quality while the arrangements offer music with a bit of melancholy that feels very suited for listening in the evening hours.

The Hazelrigg Brothers is a Jazz Trio featuring brothers George Hazelrigg on Piano and Geoff Hazelrigg on Bass plus John O’Reilly Jr. on Drums. In addition to their musical adventures as a Jazz Trio, the two brothers are also known in the music industry for their hand made recording studio gear under the brand name Hazelrigg Industries. On Synchronicity, the trio pays tribute to the classic album by The Police on its 40th Anniversary with some very interesting new arrangements for Jazz Trio. Recorded Live to Stereo DSD 128 with two Stereo Microphones, the album is destined to be an audiophile favorite for its excellent detail, sonic quality, and performances. Not to mention fans of The Police and Jazz improvisation. Easily one of the year’s best releases at NativeDSD.

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Jazz Fusion (Brian Moura)

Here is a unique Jazz Fusion album from the Egri-Pluto Basses – a Jazz Quintet fronted by not one but two Bass players (Janos Egri and Jozsef Pluto Horvath) plus a Guitarist, Keyboardist, and a Drummer along with a guest appearance by Tzumo Arpad on Synth (Track 9). They play 10 original songs on the album with the two Bass musicians firmly in the lead. The recording is excellent, and the album really cooks as each member is given a chance to show off their musical chops.

The title of this album says it all. File Under Zawinul is a tribute to the music of Joe Zawinul, the leader and co-founder of the Jazz Fusion group Weather Report. The Syndicate is an 8-member band that Zawinul formed after the breakup of Weather Report. On what would have been Zaminul’s 80th birthday, members of the band recorded an album of songs – all written by their inspirational leader. The album is clearly influenced by his music and will bring back fond moments and memories of this Jazz Fusion giant.

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Opera (Bill Dodd)

Amazing reviews from respected sources single out Finley and O’Neill in their roles, and an exciting, dramatic performance conducted by Sir Colin Davis. This is a top choice for Verdi’s Otello!

A full 3-act dramatic opera in an hour? Yes! And it works! If you have doubts about being attracted to a baroque opera performance, I recommend you listen to the samples. It’s lively and involving.

Renata Tebaldi (1922-2004) was one of the great sopranos of her era. This tribute album from Melody Moore, supported by Lawrence Foster conducting the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra, highlights 14 arias long associated with Tebaldi. Here’s a portion of a review from Goran Forsling and MusicWeb International: “It evokes memories of ‘la voce d’angelo’ (the voice of an angel), Renata Tebaldi’s soubriquet, but, more importantly, it presents Melody Moore in her own right as a worthy inhabitant in the Pantheon of the present generation of sopranos. With first class support from the Transylvanian State Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra under veteran conductor Lawrence Foster, himself of Romanian ancestry, this is a disc that can be strongly recommended to all opera lovers.

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Big Band & Swing (Brian Moura)

This album was a frequent visitor to the NativeDSD Top Sellers List earlier this year. It includes the Austria based Coquette Jazz Band with special guest musician Frank Roberscheuten on Clarinet and Sax. The music is a mix of Swing Jazz from the ‘30s and ‘40s with Dixieland Jazz. With the album’s 16 tracks and over an hour of music you’re bound to find some new favorites here.

Gypsy Jazz is wonderfully captured in this album by The Hot Club of San Francisco with guest artists David Grisman on Mandolin and Seth Asarno on percussion. In addition to performances of the music of Django Reinhardt, the album also features Swing Jazz arrangements of Norman Gimble’s classic Sway, The Beatles I’m Happy Just To Dance With You and the title track Yerba Buena Bounce. It’s an album guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you enjoy the music.

Adam Meggyes and his Nart Orchestra bring together Big Band, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock and Underground Music on their album Underground Big Band Reconceptualizations. It features 4 original compositions that marry the energy of the Nart Big Band Orchestra with an exciting mix of musical styles and genres. The album looks to the future of Big Band Jazz and is a fascinating preview of what is to come.

European Swing Jazz band PapaJazz returned to NativeDSD in 2023 with their album Let’s Dance. Let’s Dance is a One Microphone Recording with an AEA R88 Stereo Ribbon Microphone. It features Big Band favorites including Flying Home and Perdido from the ‘20s,‘30s and ‘40s. Fronted by Clarinet and Sax player Arpad Dennert – a 2021 NativeDSD Album of the Year winner for the album ArpiTalk, Let’s Dance is another winner for Big Band music fans.

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The NativeDSD Team would like to thank Bill Dodd and Brian Moura for having spent an eternity listening to all of the albums released in 2023, and for selecting the albums they believe you should not miss.

View All Nominated Albums in the Store · See the 2023 winners