Peter Horsfall's Valentine's Day Gift To You

The cover art for British jazz vocalist and trumpeter Peter Horsfall's recently released LP makes clear the music's moody, lonely-at-night feel. There's always hope though, embodied in his cover of pianist Barry Harris's "Paradise", which you can listen to below, transcribed via the new Technics SL-1000R turntable fitted with an Ortofon A95.

The other tracks on this self-released album (also on CD, streaming and download at Peterhorsfall.com) were co-written with alto saxophonist Giacomo Smith (one tune is by Duke Ellington with the duo's new lyrics). Sax, bass, drums and piano all beautifully recorded by Nick Taylor and Alex Killpatrick and so nicely mixed by Todd Whitelock.

Whitelock co-engineered and mixed Cécile McLorin Salvant's Dreams and Daggers, which was also one of my "Records to Die For" in the February 2018 Stereophile. This record arrived in the mail with no documentation as do many records.

Just before CES I got around to playing it and really fell for Mr. Horsfall's elegant vocals, which brought to mind Jon Hendricks and Mel Tormé among others. Plus the recording is so nicely done, I brought it to CES where it got high marks for music and sound every play.

I hadn't originally noticed the artwork credit at the back jacket bottom: Cécile McLorin Salvant. The watercolor she produced for the release is only included in the CD. Horsfall wrote in an email that the self-produced album made it too costly to include it in the vinyl version. It's none of my business but I think Mack Avenue should license, press at RTI and include the artwork! That's if Horsfall tours here to support it. I am pushy!

If you have difficulty expressing your love, sit your significant other down on Valentine's Day and play this! presented here and transcribed via the new Technics SL-1000R turntable using an Ortofon A95 cartridge. Even digitally compressed, the sound is addicting—that goes for both the music and the SL-1000R! Full review in Stereophile when the finished product ships and a review sample arrives. Meanwhile enjoy this!

COMMENTS
anomaly7's picture

Very groovy- love the sound, the vibe, and the Technics table.
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the SP review.

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