Full Circle

The story behind this 2001 set by German-born Herb Philhofer, who moved to the USA in the 1950s, is a simple one. Having spent what he felt was far too long immersed in all the technology and trickery of the digital studio, he was itching to get back to basics and do what he did best – play his Bösendorfer piano.

Hence this set, recorded by Tom Jung to DSD with a stripped-back band involving Philhofer's son Michael on drums, Steve Yaeger on vibes and Gordy Johnson on bass.

Using simple mic set-ups, valve preamps and a mixer from Manley, the session has a wonderfully live and unforced sound, aided by Bob Ludwig's mastering. There's nothing flashy or 'over-produced' here, but rather accomplished musicians playing together and taking in a mixture of standards and other material, not least a version of Satie's delicate first Gymnopédie.

It's a delight, from start to finish.

German pianist Herb Pilhofer was a former partner of DMP's Tom Jung and was encouraged by him to record this quartet session in his hometown of St. Paul.

The dozen tunes include four Pilhofer originals and there is a leaning toward classical shown by the track used on the above sampler - Bach's Lunch - a Sorta Rondo which sounds inspired by Brubeck's Blue Rondo, and a marvelous version of Satie's First Gymnopedie. Vibist Yeager is tops in this Live to DSD Stereo & DSD Multichannel session.