News From The World of Multichannel Music & Kazaam's Site Updates
I've been lazy at updating the site lately, so you've likely already read about it. If not, please do check out the Sound & Vision writers blog for more info. [Update: This has been released.]
At this point, it's nothing more than gossip. No one seems to be able to substantiate the rumor. But here's a thread that claims a UK webstore, at one time, had recently indicated a CD+DVD-A version of Graham Nash's classic album was scheduled to be released in 2008. Here's a link to another thread that mentions "Beginners" was supposedly remixed for surround at the same time as Crosby's "If I Could Only Remember My Name" album, which was released as CD+DVD-A in 2006. It's always possible, I suppose. I hope. But, ultimately, I'll believe when I see something more substantial.
Check out Ken Richardson's blog over at Sound & Vision magazine's bitstream section. Says Gabriel: "They weren't brave enough," referring to the first attempt at mixing the music for surround sound. Way to go Peter! We look forward to hearing some excellent 5.1 music from you soon.
Donald Fagen - "Nightfly Trilogy" MVI: This often-delayed set has finally been released. It includes 5.1 surround mixes of all three of the solo albums---"The Nightfly", "Kamakiriad", and "Morph The Cat". Unfortunately, the format for this release is limited to DTS. There are no high-rez DVD-Audio tracks. So be sure to hang onto those now hard-to-find DVD-A versions, if you've got 'em.
Nirvana - "MTV Unplugged In New York" DVD-Video: Finally, the famous 1993 performance makes it onto DVD. Elliot Scheiner created the 5.1 surround mix available in both Dolby Digital and DTS. Check out this link to the Sound &Vision on-line forums for my thoughts on the new disc.
The hi-rez DVD-Audio version of this album has finally been released and is available from the Burning Shed store (linked via the band's official website). A big thank you to Steve Wilson for continuing to release incredible music in surround sound! I just ordered it and can't hardly wait. UPDATE 11/05/07: I thought it was lost in the mail, but today it finally showed up. Kickimus buttimuss!!!
Apparently, we can now enjoy multichannel Super Audio CD's while driving down to the store to pick up all those latest SACD releases, erm...well...theoretically, you could. Check out Ken Richardson's blog about Sony's MEX-DV2000. Be sure to check out all the other blogs at Sound & Vision's "Bitstream" section, too!
Oppo has recently announced a new universal SACD/DVD-Audio/Video player. The DV-980H will sell for $169 and it features HDMI version 1.2, which can support multi-channel PCM and DSD audio over a single cable when connected to a compatible receiver/amp. Moreover, this player represents yet another low-cost universal player that is available in a black chasis rather than silver. Very cool! www.oppodigital.com
Rumors have been floating around over at the QuadraphonicQuad forums that a collection of songs from Ringo Starr's previous two albums "Ringo Rama" and "Choose Love" will be re-mixed for surround sound. There was a brief tidbit mentioned about it in Ringo's video blog. Not sure if this will mean an actual disc, such as DVD-Audio/Video and SACD or something different altogether such as downloads. Who knows if it'll even happen? I hope so. Maybe there's a small chance Ringo could push to get the entire Beatles catalog re-mixed for multichannel DVD-Audio? I can always dream.
BJORK
Bjork's 2007 album, Volta, has been released in a special 2-disc CD+DVD package. Unfortunately, it lacks high-resolution DVD-Audio. But, hey, at least we get to hear more of her in surround sound!
GENESIS
And don't forget about those multi-channel releases from Genesis! An entire box set entitled "Genesis: 1976-1982" is currently available. For those who purchase the US version, you'll get a regular CD plus a bonus DVD that contains 5.1 surround mixes in the lossy DTS format. Better yet, buy a UK version that includes high-resolution SACDs instead. The follow-up boxed set, entitiled "Genesis: 1983-1998" should see official release later this year.
DONALD FAGEN
Also, there have been pictures of an upcoming Donald Fagen MVI package (Music Video Interative), which is simply a regular DVD with music on it---always stereo, but sometimes in surround---and it has other junk, too, such as MP3s, ringtones, or whatnot. Here's hoping this release will have all of Fagen's surround mixes from Kamakiriad, The Nightfly, and Morph The Cat. The first two albums have been really hard to get in surround. And, hey, if they want to give us high-resolution DVD-Audio rather than simply Dolby Digital, that'd be nice. Amazon currently is taking pre-orders for this item and it's over $50.00. I don't fully trust the Amazon description, which currently says DVD-Audio. I fear this release will only include lossy compression, such as Dolby Digital for its 5.1 audio. Moreover, much of the talk on chat forums is that the titles will lack DVD-Audio. I guess we'll have to wait and see. [EDIT 10/07/07 - Sadly, it won't have hi-rez DVD-Audio.] [EDIT 11/10/07 - It appears a new release date of November 20, 2007 has been set.] www.mvimusic.com
RUSH
Here's an MVI disc that has already been released. It's Rush's "Snakes & Arrow" album and it contains a surround sound mix, albeit only in Dolby Digital. Check out the QuadraphonicQuad forums to read what everyone's been saying!
