McIntosh Releases an AAA Jazz Album by The Peter Erskine Quartet

McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 two record set will cost you $150

BINGHAMTON, NY – July 1, 2024 – McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., the premier name in audio excellence, proudly announces the release of SESSIONS Volume 1, a jazz album featuring eight original compositions by The Peter Erskine Quartet. Produced with iconic mastering studio Sterling Sound, this unique collaboration results in an album worthy of the world’s most discerning listeners – McIntosh customers – with the goal of creating the best sounding record possible, while retaining the artistry and passion from the studio session. At the heart of this captured performance is a vibrant intimacy that speaks volumes about the singular power of jazz and pure, reproduced sound.

 Recorded live at Studio A at the famous Henson Recording Studio in Los Angeles (formerly A&M studios) and mastered at Sterling Sound in Nashville, McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 is an album crafted with attention to every detail in pursuit of sonic excellence. Recorded and mastered with utmost precision on analog tape, it promises a high-fidelity vinyl listening experience, transporting audiences into the studio to hear The Peter Erskine Quartet’s captivating performance and original sound. Every aspect of making this album – from recording and mixing in legendary studios, to mastering and cutting, to test playbacks on McIntosh systems – was meticulously managed by an expert team of producers and engineers to recreate the richness of a live performance.

 “This reference-level analog recording lets audiences discover the brilliance of vinyl, making it the perfect medium to coincide with McIntosh’s 75th anniversary this year,” said McIntosh President Charlie Randall. “Each SESSIONS album will be produced and mixed to capture the essence of live music with the premium sound quality McIntosh is known for – and Volume 1 with The Peter Erskine Quartet is no exception. We’re delighted to have worked with such a well-respected and talented group, along with industry leader Sterling Sound, to introduce original compositions recorded exclusively for the album.”

 After playing together for decades, drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles find themselves at the top of their game with a 2022 Grammy nomination for their “Live In Italy” recording. McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 marks the addition of saxophonist Bob Mintzer, acclaimed composer, arranger, and founding member of the Yellowjackets, to transform the trio into a quartet.

 “We’re thrilled to partner with McIntosh on the release of SESSIONS Volume 1,” said Murat Aktar, Sterling Sound President and McIntosh SESSIONS Co-Producer. “Bringing together two leaders in the audio category – from equipment to mastering – this album is the ultimate example of how live recordings can translate into authentic at-home listening experiences.”

 "McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 transports us to a time when artists recorded live in analog with the intention of releasing on the warm, rich sound of vinyl," explained Scott Burnett, Co-Producer of McIntosh SESSIONS. "Together with two iconic engineering powerhouses of McIntosh and Sterling Sound, we're pushing the boundaries of a AAA, high-fidelity recording, evoking deep emotions and fostering a genuine connection to the artists in studio.”

The album is available for purchase at McIntoshLabs.com, as well as through authorized McIntosh dealers with an MSRP of $150. Outside the U.S., it will be available exclusively through authorized McIntosh dealers and distributors with an MSRP of $210 CAD / £200 including VAT / €225 including VAT.

 

 ADDITIONAL ALBUM FEATURES:

-          AAA production

-          HQ-180 Gram Premium Vinyl Pressing by RTI

-          Includes 12" 33-1/3 RPM LP with all 8 songs plus 12" 45 RPM EP with 4 of the 8 songs

-          Packaged in an Old Style® Tip-On Gatefold Jacket from Stoughton Printing

 

TRACK LIST:

-          33-1/3 – Side A

o   Leaving LA (from the film Sacramento) (Peter Erskine, Erko Music, BMI) 3:23

o   Blues For Old Friends (Darek Oles, LA Jazz Quartet Music, BMI) 6:43

o   Chilipso (Alan Pasqua, Itsall Music, BMI) 4:48

o   Gumbo Time (Alan Pasqua, Itsall Music, BMI) 3:39

-          33-1/3 – Side B

o   Into The Dark (Darek Oles, HNH and Buster Ann Music, ASCAP) 5:14

o   A Few Good Notes (Bob Mintzer, Mintzer Music, ASCAP) 4:16

o   David’s Blues (Peter Erskine, Erko Music, BMI) 6:07

o   The Folks (Alan Pasqua, Itsall Music, BMI) 4:22

-          45 – Side A

o   Leaving LA (from the film Sacramento) (Peter Erskine, Erko Music, BMI) 3:23

o   Blues For Old Friends (Darek Oles, LA Jazz Quartet Music, BMI) 6:43

-          45 – Side B

o   Into The Dark (Darek Oles, HNH and Buster Ann Music, ASCAP) 5:14

o   A Few Good Notes (Bob Mintzer, Mintzer Music, ASCAP) 4:16

 
About Peter Erskine Quartet:

Peter Erskine: Peter Erskine has played the drums since the age of four and is known for his versatility and love of working in different musical contexts. He appears on 700 albums and film scores, and has won two Grammy Awards, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee School of Music (1992). Fifty albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson Big Bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton, John Scofield, et al, and has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt Radio, Scottish Chamber, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Royal Opera House, BBC Symphony, Oslo and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. Peter is Professor of Practice and Director of Drumset Studies at the Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California. Learn more.

 Bob Mintzer: Bob Mintzer is a saxophonist/arranger/educator who resides in Los Angeles. He currently holds the Barbara and Buzz McCoy endowed chair at the USC Thornton School of Music. Bob is a 30-year member as saxophonist with the Yellowjackets. He is also the chief conductor of the WDR Big Band in Cologne Germany. Bob has written over 500 big band arrangements, several jazz study books, orchestral and chamber works. He has played on over 1000 recordings and has performed with Tito Puente, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones Mel Lewis Big Band, Eddie Palmieri, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Manieri, Randy Brecker, and the New York Philharmonic. Learn more. 

 Alan Pasqua: Alan Pasqua is a Steinway Piano artist, Grammy® Nominee and Professor of Jazz Studies at USC Thornton School of Music. He has played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan and Joe Williams. Learn more.

 Darek Oles: Darek Oles (Oleszkiewicz) was born on February 20, 1963 in Wroclaw, Poland. By the time he reached his early 20s he had become an award-winning and highly coveted acoustic bass player. In 1988 he arrived in Los Angeles and received a full scholarship from California Institute of The Arts and began studies with the legendary bassist Charlie Haden. Since 2002, Oles has been a jazz faculty member at the University of California in Irvine. Aside from his teaching duties, Darek Oles has been very active as a performer and became one of the most sought-after bass players on the West Coast, and has had the opportunity to perform and record with the greatest masters in jazz. Learn more.