Shirley Horn - Softly

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2xHD is a brand known to audiophiles who love jazz. The team of producer André Perry and audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme have produced exceptional transfers from analog tape featuring great artists such as Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Bill Evans, Sarah Vaughn, and Chet Baker (among many others) in the mix.

Now 2xHD presents on reel-to-reel 1/4-inch 15-inch-per-second tape a collection of jazz and classical titles to meet and exceed the highest audiophile standards. All 2xHD tapes are from the original analog master and transfered in the analog domain using a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, is one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain more transparency and better 3D imaging. This copy was recorded on a Nagra IV-S 1/4" at 15 ips.

The transfer is made to Recording The Masters SM468 magnetic tape which has all the features of a master tape, with the best print-through protection and longest storage life.

The reflective mood of this recording captures the late night intimacy of the sessions. Shirley Horn's performances here, surrounded by devoted friends, protected from the time-is-money anxiety and clinical ambiance of commercial recording studios, is more introspective and emotionally intense than anything she has recorded to date.

The lady is really amazingly on target with her approach to every tune she had chosen to perform. Seldom will a recording session yield only indispensable tracks. This Shirley Horn studio visit did.

Features:
Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape
Pure analog copy at 15 ips, IEC / CCIR EQ, from the analog master tape
Transferred to Recording The Masters SM468 magnetic tape
2xHD mastering by René Laflamme
1 reel
Made in Canada

1. Since I Fell For You

2. Dindi

3. Softly, As I Leave You

4. How Long Has This Been Going On?

5. My, How the Time Goes By

6. Forget Me

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