*** 180g 45rpm Vinyl LP ***

‘Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet rehearsed and performed some of these tunes before our concert and recording but many are the first time through; the quartet discussed the tunes and who would take what solo in which order but without rehearsal. I wanted the intensity of raw improvisation. This is possible when superb musicians tackle new material together, listening carefully to each other and playing as a single organism. Right before we recorded For Sebastian, for example, I played the opening of Variation 25 from Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the piano. Misha led the quartet’s improvisation from there. Music cannot get fresher than this.

‘We owe hearty thanks to our generous underwriting partners, executive producer Lucile Grieder and Yarlung’s North American vinyl distributor Elusive Disc. Lucile began her Yarlung philanthropy underwriting Sacred Trance Music from Taos Mountain. James Bantz, Abey Fonn and our close family at Elusive Disc do superb work distributing Yarlung vinyl. Thank you for your inspiration, support and encouragement.’

– Bob Attiyeh, producer

‘Kudos to Sophisticated Lady for some of the most intelligent and soulful playing I’ve heard in a long while. Mr. Wicks is clearly the Stephane Grappelli of the bass. Mr. Boyle’s atomic clock accuracy was outshone only by his remarkable sensitivity and nuanced “drumist” vocabulary. Mr. Kirkpatrick’s winsome lines… took us beyond the trumpet and through the gamut of melody-instrument domains. And Mr. Bigos’ hands fell lacelike over his ivories with the finesse… of traditional Portuguese tatting amid a rainbow of colored threads.’

– Peter Rutenberg

‘Did I mention that each of the tracks was also cut in one take apiece? That’s right, one take. Knowing this is a strong testament to the talent, passion, and technical prowess of this amazing ensemble, even before one embarks on the satisfying journey delivered by the music itself.’

– Kathryn Ballard Shut

Lacquers cut by Bernie Grundman