Patricia Barber Higher 5.1/2.0 Hybrid SACD Release from Impex Features Four Exclusive Bonus Tracks: Stereo/Surround Mixed at Skywalker, Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway

In the label's first full collaboration with jazz royalty Patricia Barber, Impex Records presents its first multichannel hybrid SACD in the form of the pianist's elegant album Higher. Recorded and mixed by long-time collaborator Jim Anderson, this spectacular set contains a unique eight jazz-interpreted art-song cycle that explore the mysteries that bind and illuminate us. Barber says of her six year creation of Higher, "I feel very much that this album is a manifestation of my hard-won harmonic evolution." She continues her blending of classical and modern idioms, both musical and lyrical, into a hybrid that plays to the best of both: classically-oriented with room to improvise and expand.

The Impex Records exclusive SACD version contains four additional tracks: jazz standards "Early Autumn," "Secret Love" and "In Your Own Sweet Way," along with an expanded version of "The Opera Song" featuring lyric soprano Katherine Werbiansky. Both 5.1 and 2.0 SACD layers were transferred directly to DSD from original DXD (352.8kHz /32-bit) files for an astonishing reproduction of every living note and subtle expression in this truly seminal work by one of America's finest jazz auteurs.

"Higher bears the earmarks of an audiophile classic: music of substance in excellent sound..."  Jason Victor Serinus, Stereophile, Recording Of The Month

"If you appreciate jazz vocal artistry in the highest possible sound quality, Patricia Barber's Higher belongs in your collection." Mark Werlin, NATIVEDSD.com

"[From] a textual and musical point of view, Higher is a poetic gem that far surpasses Barber's previous works. And that is remarkable for an artist who has set the bar extremely high for herself for three decades."  Marc De Boer, Hi Fi NL

Features:
• Hybrid Super Audio CD from Impex Records
• SACD multi-channel SACD layer
• SACD stereo SACD layer
• 'Red Book' CD layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players
• The first-ever 5.1/2.0 SACD/hybrid release from Impex Records
• Vividly recorded & mixed by Grammy-winning engineer and long-time collaborator Jim Anderson
• Technical direction by Ulrike Schwarz, Anderson Audio New York
• Recorded using Merging +Clock Technologies & MusicChords Power Distribution
• Stereo & Surround mixed at Skywalker Sound
• Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering
• Both 5.1 and 2.0 SACD layers were transferred directly to DSD from original DXD (352.8kHz / 32 bit) files
• 5.1 surround mix requires a multi-channel SACD player & compatible surround-sound system
• 5.1 mix is not available on stereo SACD or CD players
• Deluxe package featuring art & photos unique to the SACD & a new note from Patricia Barber
• 4 additional tracks