Following her initial album at NativeDSD – the Audiophile Edition of Wild Lines: Improvising Emily Dickenson – saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom returns with Picturing The Invisible: Focus 1. The new album is a selection of compositions by saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom inspired by the science photography of legendary NYC photographer Berenice Abbott.
The music was arranged for duet during the pandemic and recorded remotely in high definition Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound by audio engineer Ulrike Schwarz. It was co-produced by Jane Ira Bloom and Ulrike Schwarz and is being exclusively released in its recorded format and bit rate of Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound 384kHz PCM at NativeDSD. It is also exclusively available in Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound DSD 256, DSD 128 and DSD 64 as well as in 5.1.4 Channel Discrete DXD Immersive Audio and 5.1.4 Channel Auro3D 96kHz Immersive Audio at NativeDSD.
Award winning jazz soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom pairs with renowned improvisors drummer Allison Miller, koto artist Miya Misaoka, and bassist Mark Helias to play a series of eight compositions performed in real time connected remotely from their homes in New York City. Using the most up-to-date technology, Grammy nominated Tonmeister Ulrike Schwarz has recorded and mastered the acoustic beauty of these extraordinary musicians’ creativity as they duet across the internet. Audio science and improvisational art collaborate to make this recording a one of a kind musical event.
Funding for this project was made possible by the New York City Women’s Fund for Media, Music, & Theatre by the City of New York’s Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment in association with the NY Foundation for the Arts.
Jane Ira Bloom – Soprano Saxophone
Allison Miller – Drums, Percussion
Mark Helias – Double Bass
Miya Masaoka – Koto
Tracklist
Total time: 00:37:06
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | AANYOTL145 |
| Qualities | DSD 1024 fs, DSD 512 fs, DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, WAV 384 kHz 32 bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | 5.1.4 Discrete, 2ch Stereo, 6ch Surround, Auro3D, 5.1ch Surround, 2ch Stereo & 5.1ch Surround |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
| Genres | |
| Analog to Digital Converters | Horus ADC with the Merging+Clock U, Merging Technologies at 32 bit, 384kHz PCM |
| Audio Cables | AccuSound MX-4 and IX-3 |
| Funding | Funding for this project was made possible by the New York City Women's Fund for Media, Music, & Theatre by the City of New York's Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment in association with the NY Foundation for the Arts |
| Headphones | B&W P5 and Sony MDR-CD900ST |
| Internet Audio Interface | Acousta LE03 Interface |
| Microphones | Neumann TLM 170, Neumann USM-69, Neumann TLM 102, Sanken CU-41, Sanken CMS-2, B&K 4007, EV 654, AMB Tube-DI, RS-PZM microphones, AKG D-112, AKG P-120, Shure SM 57 |
| Notes | This project was recorded, mixed and mastered in Ultra High Resolution (384kHz, 32bit PCM) using the Merging Technology Horus/Pyramix recording systems and the Merging+Clock U. |
| Instruments | |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Power Cables & Distribution | Essential Sound Products MusicCord Pro ES, MusicCord Eloquence |
| Producers | Jane Ira Bloom and Ulrike Schwarz |
| Recording Engineer | Ulrike Schwarz |
| Recording Locations | Recorded at Jane Ira Bloom’s office in Manhattan, Allison Miller’s practice room in Brooklyn, Marc Helias’ bass studio in Manhattan, and Miya Masaoka’s living room in Manhattan during February 2022 |
| Stereo & 5.1 Surround Sound Mastering Engineer | Ulrike Schwarz at Anderson Audio in Brooklyn, New York during June and July 2022 Morten Lindberg of 2L |
| Release Date | July 12, 2022 |
Press reviews
Audiophile Style – Discrete Immersive Edition
I’m listening to the 5.1.4 Channel Discrete DXD Immersive Audio version of Jane Ira Bloom’s Picturing The Invisible- Focus 1. This is how music was meant to be heard! Amazing! It’s available now at NativeDSD Music.
Audiophile Style
I am a big fan of the engineering prowess of Jim Anderson. It may be a bit of a secret but Jim thinks that his wife, Ulrike Schwarz, is even a better engineer that he is. Ulrike is better known for her engineering on classical recordings and her immersive sound mixes. It is the immersive sound aspect that drew me to this recording.
This is a special recording in many respects. First, it features Award winning jazz soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom on what else, soprano sax, drummer Allison Miller, Kato artist Miya Masaoka and bassist Mark Helias. Recorded in February 2022, it was performed in real time while connected remotely from each artists’ respective homes in New York City, and captured in 32 bit 384kHz PCM by Ulrike Schwarz.
Given that each performer was located in various locations, one could possibly expect a disjointed performance. Not here. The recording and performances are seemless, sounding like the musicians were recording together in the same real vs. virtual space. This is a testament to the talent of the musicians, modern technology and the engineering chops of Ms. Schwarz. The Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound versions of the album are available on NativeDSD up to DSD 256 and 384k PCM plus Stereo DSD 512 and DSD 1024 along with a 5.1.4 Channel Immersive Auro3D mix.
I have had a chance to listen to the stereo version of the recording and it is a stunner sonically. It has everything you would expect from the team of Jim Anderson and Ulrike Schwarz. Space, spot on timbre, silkiness and dynamics. While a bit on the avant-garde side, the music is beautiful and well worth a listen if you are unfamiliar with Ms. Bloom’s artistry.
It is my belief that Surround Sound and Immersive Audio in particular, is the future of music playback. With this new release, you get not only great music but a stellar sounding recording mixed by true experts in the field of multichannel playback. This release is well worth a listen, regardless of your mix preference.
Happy listening!
2 reviews for Picturing The Invisible: Focus 1
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I have a Horus 8 Channel system. Likely the same converters this was recorded on.
This recording itself is excellent. But 5.1? Hmm. Not quite. More like 3.0, Left + Right + Center. I am quite surprised and disappointed, really. Maybe I am missing something, but “Surround” should include Lr and Rs.
This recording, as well as several others I purchased from NativeDSD fall well short of what I expect “Surround” to be. Stereo, two thumbs up. Surround, meh. Stereo 5 stars. Surround, not worth the money.
Terence Atkinson (verified owner) –
This recording is beautiful in 2 Channel Stereo, and very enjoyable.
Miss Bloom’s Alto Sax is played gorgeously, with solid contributions from each of her companion musicians. The instrument mix is great.
Bill Stein (verified owner) –