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True Stereo means two microphones very carefully placed and nothing else, so things are not changed in any way once recorded, what you get is beautiful sound carefully recorded but also something that brings you close to the excitement of live performance.

Here I will be sharing my thoughts on two recent releases. Quite by chance I looked at two releases a little over a month ago, I only knew the work of one of the twelve artists on a Sampler CD who was also the artist on the other CD. In a quest to learn I took two recent releases one an artist that had a track on the Sampler and another whom I had never heard of I only knew he is a guitarist.

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Fred Simon  Remember The River NaimCD081

So when this arrived I had heard precisely one track from Fred Simon a very sympathetic pianist. This CD is a trio offering but each track is vastly different due to Paul McCandless who plays English Horn, Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and for good measure Penny Whistle. I would think this is probably the first time – apart from an orchestral setting – that the first two instruments have ever featured on Jazz recordings. The other member is Steve Rodby on Acoustic Bass.

So three players are two microphones True Stereo requires very clever placement. There are twelve tracks all compositions by Fred Simon. The first listen of a Jazz recording with original work can never be love at first hearing. With a tune you know it is possible to decide you dislike/hate/like/love the interpretation. The second listening you start to get into it and maybe by the third play the subtleties are there to be enjoyed.

The range of instruments played by Paul McCandless means that swing is never a feature, great music to relax to and the more you hear it the more you admire the True Stereo.

Giorgio Serci  New York Sessions Naim CD082

This gentleman is totally new to me, he plays Nylon String Guitar, the other members of his quartet are Harvie Swartz on Double Bass, Virginia Mayhew on Soprano and Tenor Saxaphone and Allison Miller on drums. Of the ten tracks 8.5 are composed by Giorgio Serci. So only the last track Moon River was familiar to me. Before you all scream what happened to the .5, track 3 is Friere Jacques is a traditional tune but only the first theme is utilised.

Again I listened three times over a week to all the tracks and the artistry comes through. A nylon string guitar is very different to a steel string and both are miles away from most of the amplified guitar based music produced in pop music.

Certainly worth consideration, again nothing that swings violently all well laid back and certainly music to relax and chill out with.

Between now and Christmas all Naim True Stereo offerings are £10 each (normal price £12.98) there is a flat rate p&p fee of £2 added to any order - whatever size – from the Naim website www.naim-audio.com/music/music.html . I am told all reductions will take place when the order is processed.