Updated Release Information for SACDs from Sonoma Records and David Elias

With 2005 just around the corner, we’re beginning to get updated release information on a number of Super Audio CDs due out early in the new year. Two examples of this have arrived in the last few days from the folks at Sonoma Records and Sketti Sandwich Productions. These labels have provided us with news about the upcoming titles by Anthony Newman & the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble and the next SACD release by singer David Elias.

First SACD Recorded on the Sonoma-24 System
In November, attendees at the 117th Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention in San Francisco were introduced to the new Sonoma-24 Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Workstation and Recorder. The new Sonoma product is configurable as a 8, 16 or 24 Channel DSD Workstation and was initially used in the production of a direct to DSD recording by Anthony Newman & the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble.

The recording drew wide praise at the show and interest from audiophiles who were interested in picking up a copy. After checking with the folks at Sonoma Records, I learned that the upcoming recording is now complete and is at the Viva Hybrid SACD pressing plant in Hong Kong as we speak. The current plans call for a release through the Acoustic Sounds web site during the 3rd or 4th week in January. While this is later than the original release date of late November, the early preview of the SACD at the AES Convention suggests that the wait will be worth it.

  • Anthony Newman & the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble with Duncan Patton – Music for Organ, Brass and Timpani (Sonoma Records SAC-001)

    Next David Elias SACD Gets A Title and Release Date
    I’ve also received some inquiries about the status of the new David Elias Surround Sound SACD due out in early 2005. The album is the follow up to Elias’ excellent SACD entitled The Window. If you have a Super Audio CD system, you’ll want to get a copy of The Window. It’s that good.

    David Elias tells me that the new SACD has been named “Crossing” and it’s his hope to have it available for purchase in Mid February 2005. At this point, the Stereo and Surround Sound mixes for the Crossing SACD have been completed by Gus Skinas at the Super Audio Center in Boulder, Colorado. So the release is pretty far along – with final production and then pressing of the Hybrid SACD still to be completed.

  • David Elias – Crossing (Sketti Sandwich)

    The First Podcast Recorded With DSD
    Elias also tells me he’s planning to release some of his music as a podcast on the Internet. For those of you who haven’t followed it, podcasting is a new way to distribute news, information and music on the web using RSS technology. It was pioneered by programmer Dave Winer and former MTV Star Adam Curry.
    We’ll keep an eye out for David Elias’ podcast – which I’m told is the first podcast recorded with DSD at the Slipperworld Studios in La Honda, California.

    As always, Elias is looking for new ways to share his music with the world. Very interesting, indeed.