Telarc – Jazz and World Music Sampler 7

Telarc Jazz and World Music Sampler 7 is a hybrid SACD audiophile sampler released by Telarc / Heads Up in 2009.

This sampler brings together strong performances from artists such as Michael Brecker & Randy Brecker, Ray Charles, The Tierney Sutton Band, Hiromi, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Michel Camilo, Yellowjackets, Fourplay featuring Esperanza Spalding, Spyro Gyra and others. The track selection makes it a varied disc, moving between energetic jazz fusion, smooth vocal jazz, acoustic guitar, world-influenced rhythms and polished audiophile productions.

For audiophile listening, this CD is useful for testing dynamic range, bass control, stereo imaging, surround placement, vocal clarity and instrumental separation. Telarc recordings are known for clean engineering and wide dynamics, while Heads Up adds a modern jazz/world-fusion flavor. On a good system, the album should sound spacious, lively and detailed, with strong percussion, realistic brass, clear piano and a wide soundstage.