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Review by Oakland September 19, 2005 (7 of 8 found this review helpful)
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I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the most authentic (that is, real) experience on record I have had to date, regardless of genre or format is the SACD multi-channel version of Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Gratitude" on Sony. This is a live (mostly) recording and it *feels* it. I attended EW&F concerts during the 70's and I have never heard a recording that has more vividly transported me back in time the way that one has. True, I am relatively new to multi-channel. So hopefully this recording of this authentic quality is just the tip of the iceberg.
"Gratitude" is derived from the 1975 quad analog master tape. And Maurice White himself, produced both the quad and SACD multi-channel mixes. Based on experience there is no doubt the final product is the way it is *suppose* to be. And unlike some surround mixes where it is debatable whether the center channel is required or useful; in this case it helps to solidly anchor the concert from top to bottom. The two-channel mix of "Gratitude" is good, but only good (by comparison).
In two-channel I give the sonics 3 1/2 stars. It good but lacks front to back depth. But in multi-channel this get a stellar 5 star rating. The front speakers to rear speaker balance is very well done, especially when compared to other non classical multi-channel discs I have heard. While, "Gratitude" largely has the audience coming from the rears there is also vital music from the rears but you can’t detect it from the seated position. So there is none of that contrived feel that one may perceive from, for example, The O'Jay's "Ship Ahoy".
EW&F “Alive in 75” while also soulful to the max, authentic in surround, and way better than the two-channel mix it doesn’t have quite the drive as “Gratitude”.
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Review by Empanadilla October 17, 2009 (3 of 4 found this review helpful)
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This is one of my SHOWCASE SACDs.(Edit: Meaning- this is one SACD to play as a demonstration disc , it's aTHAT awesome)
The sonics are excellent, as is the mix.
The performance is perfect.
The harmonics on this will make the cillia in your ear canal all the way to your brain very happy.(edit-Meaning that the hiigh frequencies are very well represented without being annoying).
EW&F were SMOKIN' that evening.
Highly recommendable, even for the "almost converted"....
(Edit note; I guess that the criteria used to rate a review is the "I din't like it because I don't agree with it" one because then I don't understand my DSOTM review thrasing. This is not a musical review place exclusively. this is an SACD site. I rate SACDs concerning the overall 5.1 mix(or stereo when there isn't a 5.1 one. Remember, it's not that the reviewer agrees with your point of view, as a matter of fact that is just USELESS and no help whatsoever. Anything you may learn is what is helpful, that is it. Heck, I don't agree with a lot of the praisers of the DSOTM horrible mix, but I don't pan their reviews, they were helpful! Now somebody who posts "JUST Great!"· then gets the axe from me. )
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Review by Noonions March 28, 2004 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
| This R&B/soul classic gets a masterful treatment on multichannel SACD.The live cuts are givin extra luster with the spacious 5-channel giving the impression you're right on stage with EW&F,while studio tracks like "Sing A Song" and "Can't Hide Love" sounding newly fresh and soulful.You're SACD collection isn't complete without this shining star of a gem!
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