Patricia Barber is an American jazz and blues singer, pianist, and composer. She is known for her distinctive voice, innovative songwriting, and skillful piano playing. Patricia Barber has released numerous albums throughout her career and is recognized for her contributions to contemporary jazz music. Some of her notable albums include "Modern Cool," "Café Blue," and "Nightclub."

She has received critical acclaim for her work and has earned several awards and nominations in the jazz world.

Patricia Barber's music is often highly regarded by audiophiles. Her attention to sonic detail, use of high-quality recording techniques, and dedication to audio excellence make her a favorite among those who appreciate and seek out top-notch sound quality.

Albums like "Nightclub" was originally digitally recorded on a Sony 3348 multi-track and mixed through a Neve analog console to both digital and analog mix-down masters.

Check out her best albums here 👇

Recommended version MFSL SACD

Patricia Barber's second album embarks on a captivating musical odyssey, seamlessly merging the realms of contemporary jazz with an intriguing and introspective twist. Released in 1992, this album stands as a testament to Barber's exceptional artistry and her pioneering contributions to the jazz genre.

The record prominently showcases Barber's signature smoky and emotionally resonant vocals, harmoniously complemented by her virtuoso piano skills. In particular, tracks like 'My Girl' deliver a captivating vocal performance, distinguished by its silky-smooth yet warmly evocative tones, all set against the backdrop of a perfectly crafted sonic ambience.

Recommended version Un-mastered 2016 SACD/LP

This new version does not include the digital reverb that was added, not by the audio engineer Jim Anderson, in an attempt to emulate the sound of certain ECM recordings that were originally captured in a church setting.

Eliminating this undesirable digital reverb enhances the dynamic range and unveils more subtle micro-details and restores the original sound as it was originally recorded by Jim.

Unlike any other version thus far released. You feel the character of Capitol's vintage Neve console and you hear all the detail and feel the space of those famous analog reverb chambers.

Gus Skinas, Super Audio Center

Recommended version MFSL SACD

In 1998, Premonition Records released 'Modern Cool,' the album that catapulted Patricia Barber into the forefront of today's vibrant jazz scene, solidifying her status as one of its brightest stars.

One of the defining features of the album is its innovative arrangements and instrumentation. Barber's piano work is virtuosic, serving as the backbone of the music, while the addition of electric bass and percussion elements adds a modern and unconventional touch. This fusion of traditional jazz with contemporary sounds creates a unique sonic landscape that is both experimental and accessible.

For their part, audiophiles had come to know and appreciate Patricia Barber as early as 1994, thanks to Premonition's splendid album 'Café Blue.' In terms of sound quality, 'Modern Cool' follows the path traced by 'Café Blue,' sharing the same recording studio, sound engineer, and impeccable sound recording technique.

The MFSL SACD edition presents this masterpiece with exceptional detail and astonishing dynamics, accentuating the remarkable transients of the drums and percussions.

Modern Cool by Patricia Barber

Preview Modern Cool by Patricia Barber on Apple Music. 1998. 12 Songs. Duration: 1 hour, 7 minutes. Buy the album for ₹ 100.

https://music.apple.com

Recommended version MFSL SACD

This marks the sixth album by the Chicago-based singer, featuring a collection of classics such as 'Autumn Leaves,' 'I Fall in Love Too Easily,' and 'Bye Bye Blackbird.'

However, the sheer vocal mastery and splendid interpretations presented on this album effortlessly dispel any doubts regarding its musical value.

Other great albums like Companion, Verse, Smash are available on MFSL SACD for the best sound quality.

Recommended version DXD 352,8 kHz

'Higher' was his first album recorded at DXD resolution, embracing a fully digital approach with the finest modern technologies currently available.

Now, she continues to set exceptionally high-quality standards with the DXD format.

DXD has proven to be a revelation for the esteemed producer and 11-time Grammy Award winner, Jim Anderson.

Although these albums are also available in SACD format, the DSD conversion comes close to the master but doesn't quite match the original DXD format's quality.

Mastered to DXD by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering.

Clique! was awarded 2021 NativeDSD Album Of The Year Award – Vocals

In my personal opinion, from an artistic perspective, both 'Café Blue' and 'Modern Cool' consistently display higher levels of creativity and inspiration compared to newer albums 'Higher' and 'Clique!'. However, they do seem to lack a certain nostalgic aura found in the artist's earlier albums, which regrettably does not carry over to these new DXD recordings, despite their exceptional sound quality. Nevertheless, they remain worthy additions to your music collection and are worth a listen.

The DXD edition is only available at NativeDSD