Hi everyone,

Like many folks here, I enjoy all sorts of music. A little over a year ago, a friend asked me if I’d heard of Markus Schwartz, a percussionist who has studied the music of Haiti and plays Haitian Jazz and “Mizik Rasin” (roots music).

The name was new to me, so I got a copy of Markus’ CD “Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn” and immediately became a fan. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markusschwartz

I found his music soul stirring, with its organic rhythms and beautiful melodies. Not long after getting the album, I went to see his Lakou Brooklyn Quartet play live at a local club and knew I wanted to record this band for Soundkeeper Recordings.

Here is a YouTube playlist containing a series of three videos, taken the night I saw them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e49j9oC ... playnext=1

Aside from all the great music here, check out Markus’ solo at about 3:00 into the excerpt from “Caravan”. His motions seem almost unreal as he is immersed in the music and clearly blissed in the moment. The audience knew this too – and obviously felt it; you can hear the response.

In between sets, I spoke with Markus and the players in his band. We discussed the idea of recording the band “live”, that is, outside of the studio, in a nice performance space, playing in real time, without overdubs; the typical Soundkeeper approach. Markus and his fellow players all expressed interest in the idea and after months of back and forth, exchanging ideas, earlier this month, we did the recording sessions.

Recorded in a beautiful auditorium built in 1908, the music was captured in stereo, at 24/192 (high resolution) and as always, the dynamics of the performance were left fully intact. Unlike the common practice today, there was no compression and no regard for level. The goal was to capture the sound of the band as they would be heard by a listener present at the performance.

Markus and I need to select the best takes from the sessions and I need to master the album. Once we’ve got the liner notes and cover artwork, it will be released on CD as well as in high resolution files-on-disc formats for use with computer music servers.

To keep apprised on the release, please subscribe to Soundkeeper email updates:
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/subscribe.htm

Meanwhile, check out Markus’ music in the videos and the “Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn” CD.

I hope you enjoy this music as much as I do.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Like the "old days", the players came in, played the songs (making musical magic in the process) and at the end of four hours, we'd recorded an album.

I got together with Markus yesterday and we selected the best takes.
The release (no title yet), by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn will be later this Summer.

Again, to keep apprised on the release, please subscribe to Soundkeeper email updates:
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/subscribe.htm

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Hi all,

There are new pages up on the Soundkeeper website for the new release, "Equinox" by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn:
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com

There is some information about the album, photos from the recording session and of course, samples to hear.

We're planning a release party at Iridium, the jazz club in mid-town Manhattan, for Friday, September 3 at midnight. Hoping some readers and listeners are able to make it there to say "Hello" in person and to enjoy the band playing live.

For news on the coming release, please subscribe to Soundkeeper email updates:
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/subscribe.htm

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Barry, have you ever considered doing some sort of an audiophile series with talented more well known artists who are no longer popular enough for the major labels?

Don't know why, but the first name to come to mind is Wendy Waldman, I wasn't thinking of her specifically when I started this post.

Hi Geff,

The Soundkeeper site (and its MySpace page) mention that we're always looking for artists to record.

The stipulation (and this is tougher than it might first seem) is that they have to be able to play without the safety of the studio. What I've discovered over the years is that many musicians have gotten so used to the studio, they've lost the ability to play a three minute song in three minutes.

If they can play for real and have a band that can balance themselves without the need for the assistance of an engineer, we just need to get in touch with them. I love all kinds of music and look forward to having all kinds on Soundkeeper.

I remember having a Wendy Waldman album I liked a lot too.
Write to her (and anyone else you would want to hear on Soundkeeper). Tell her about us.

Soundkeeper isn't just different in the approach to audio (real performances captured in real stereo).
The artists actually share in the profits, to an extent I believe is unprecedented in the music business.
Soundkeeper is the anti-record business label, in every way I can make it so.

What I've found with some artists I've approached is they've been burned by the record business so much, they hear our offer and think it too good to be true. Happily, we're finding some who'll risk things working out exactly as we all hope they will.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

When I was a DJ in college, I heard stories from numerous recording artists I interviewed about getting ripped off by the labels & their management.


hadn't thought of that, but with today's crop of talentless "artists" that makes so much sense.

Hi Geff,

Artists getting ripped off by record companies is the legacy I have to deal with when approaching folks for Soundkeeper.
It stinks because this is nothing but a labor of love, of music and sound. We don't distribute through Amazon or any other place outside of the Soundkeeper web site because the piece those folks would take is something we feel belongs with the artist.

Same with publishing of the artist's compositions. Most record deals involve the label taking ownership of the music. With Soundkeeper, we insist ownership remains with the artist, 100%, where it belongs.

And beside all of the above, the first thing, is to find artists *we* want to listen to. There is so much work involved in getting a record out, the absolute requirement is the artist's music has to get our juices flowing. Only that makes it easier to do; only that makes it worth doing.

And they have to be able to do it for real, in real time. During the time between the first release (Work of Art's "Lift" at the end of 2006) and this new one, I started a number of projects and ended up abandoning them because I'd have had to do so much editing, *I'd* be the artist. (The experience of having to "fix" all too many recorded "performances" in the record business is part of what prompted me to start Soundkeeper. I want records of musicians I want to listen to and I want them to sound like I'm in the presence of those musicians, rather than like a big table radio, which is how most records sound to me.)

Strange, isn't it? I think most folks would be surprised to know how many *days* it takes to record a typical three minute song. I want to record them in three minutes. (We recorded the new album, "Equinox", in four hours and that included a few extra takes, including a song that didn't make the album and rest breaks. I look at my collection and I have Miles and 'Trane albums that all have the same record date!)

If you know of anyone you'd like to hear on Soundkeeper, please tell them about us.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Hi all,

Here are the details for the “Equinox” release party:

The place: IridiumJazz Club ( http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com)
1650Broadway, near 51st street

The date: Friday,September 3rd

The time: 11:59 pm

Cover charge: $20

Admission will be $10 for our guests who RSVP using the“Release Party RSVP” link
on the Soundkeeper home page ( http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com)

Be sure to enter“Release Party RSVP” in the Subject line
of the messagethat appears when you click on the link.
Put your name inthe message.
Your name will beat the door, on the $10 entry list.

Markus Schwartz& Lakou Brooklyn will be playing live.
They’ll besigning CDs and we’re expecting some special guests.

(CD-R, 24/96DVD-R and high res files-on-disc DVD-R versions
will be availablefrom the Soundkeeper web site as of the next day.)

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Sounds like good fun, Barry!

I listened to the samples, and this is really great music, just beautiful. There's a sensibility here that reminds me of jazz from the early/mid 60's, which I think was the absolute high point of the genre. And even the mp3 samples I listened to sound amazing. I can't wait to hear the real stuff.

Thanks for the posts, Barry. I really like what you're trying to do with Soundkeeper, and I hope it succeeds.

Thank you Jay.
If you find yourself in town on the 3rd, please drop by.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Hi Greg,



Thanks so much for your kind feedback.
Markus and the band really do make magic when they play.
I couldn't sit still during the recording session. The rhythms just take over.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Just a reminder:

The new Soundkeeper Recordings release, "Equinox" by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn is one week away, on Friday, September 3.

That night, the release party at Iridium in NYC.
If you can, please join us to celebrate!

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

I just got my copy of Markus’ CD “Tanbou nan Lakou Brooklyn” the other day, and it's pretty terrific. I'm really looking forward to hearing this guy recorded in high def with Barry's expertise.

It's here!

Hello friends,

I'm very happy to announce today is the release date for the new Soundkeeper Recordings release, "Equinox" by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn.

It is available on CD as well as six custom burned formats, all the way up to 24/192 high resolution files-on-disc.
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/equinox.htm

Our previous release, "Lift" by Work of Art, is now also available in 24/96 files-on-disc format.
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/lift.htm

Enjoy!

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

The "Equinox" release party was a blast.
Great crowd and the band was hot!

They autographed CDs and played 'til the wee hours.

Photos of the band and guest artists:
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/equinoxiridium.htm

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Hello friends,

The “Equinox” release party at Iridium was so much fun, we’re going to have a “Part 2”.
(See photos at http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/equinoxiridium.htm )

This time, the band will be playing at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar.

If you missed the fun at Iridium, here’s another chance. If you were there and need another shot of Lakou Brooklyn, you will be served!

“Equinox” CDs will be on sale and the band will be available to autograph them.
(CD-R, 24/96 DVD-R and high res files-on-disc DVD-R versions are available from the Soundkeeper Web site at http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com/purchase.htm )


Here are the details:

The place: Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar & Restaurant
http://www.sugarbarnyc.com
254 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and West End)

The date: Saturday, September 18th

The time: 8:30 - 10 pm

Cover charge: $10

Table reservations recommended: 212-579-0222


I hope you can attend and share the fun with us.
Please share this information with anyone you feel might be interested.

Until next time,
Happy Listening!

Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Just a reminder.
Release party, part 2 is this Saturday, September 18.

It would be great to meet some fellow IMWAN folks in person.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Barry,

I'm ready to place my order, but I'm fairly new to high-res digital audio, so I have one question:

Will the 24/96 DVD-R play on my DVD/DVD Audio player as DVD-Audio, or at least as high-res audio? I just want to make sure before I buy it. It's a Yamaha DVD-S1800BL. If not, I'm in for the CD-R.

Hi Greg,



The 24/96 DVD-R is in DVD-V (video) format. It is not a DVD-A.
If your player can play video DVDs, it should be able to deliver the full 24/96 resolution (which has been part of the DVD-V standard from the start).

Are you taking an analog output from the player? If so, the player will be decoding the 24/96 audio track. If you are taking a digital (e.g. SPDIF) output from the player to feed an external D-A converter, some DVD video players may require a setting on one of their internal menus, to allow 96k output. (Many default to decimating the digital output to 16/48 but there is a setting on the Audio menu to allow 24/96 digital output.)

Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best regards,
Barry
http://www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com

Thanks, Barry. The output from my player will be analog, not digital. It should still sound better than the CD-R, right?

Greg, I'm obviously not at Barry's knowledge level (or even close), but imo one thing that will impact what you hear is how good is your cd player? A superb cd player at 44/16 may sound better then an entry level dvd player at 96/24.

My Esoteric/PS Audio cd front end at 44/16 tends to sound better then my Pioneer universal player at high res. Your Yamaha is more expensive then my Pioneer, though.