The Winners: 2023 Albums of the Year

The votes are in! Here are the winners of the NativeDSD Albums of the Year 2023, one in each of the 16 categories. Thank you to everyone who voted, and to Senior Reviewer Bill Dodd, Technical Advisor Brian Moura and David Hopkins for choosing the nominees. Congratulations to all nominees: with so many great albums this year, being nominated is already a mark of excellence in DSD sound.

View All Winning Albums in the Store

Soloist with Orchestra

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!

World Music

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.

Orchestral

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.

Jazz Solo Instrumental

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.

Jazz Duo

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.

Latin Music

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.

Jazz Trio

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.

Jazz Fusion

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.

Solo Instrumental

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!

Opera

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!

Vocal (non-classical)

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.

Big Band & Swing

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.

Chamber Music

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.

Rock

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.

Vocal (classical)

“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.

Film Music

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.

Thank You for Voting!

See all the nominees

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.