Paul McCartney,Wings/Venus and Mars Original DCC Compact Classics

DCC Compact Classics is a high-quality CD label that is as charismatic and popular as Mobile Fidelity. The masterpiece “VENUS AND MARS” reprinted from “GZS-1030” will be released. [High-quality CD series “DCC” by charismatic engineers] High-quality CDs that appeared in various ways from the 90s to the 2000s. However, even if you say “high-quality CD”, there are many different methods. As companies began to compete with each other to release products, there were differences in their superiority and popularity. The various miscellaneous methods can be broadly divided into three. One is what could be called “material-based.” Normally, CDs have a structure in which the aluminum vapor-deposited film on which signals are recorded is sandwiched between polyocarbonate sheets, but this material is replaced with a highly reflective metal film or highly transparent resin to reduce reading errors. This applies to “SHM-CD” and “Blu-spec CD” (however, the recorded data itself is the same as normal data, and it is said that errors may increase depending on the reading tuning of the player. ). The second one is “digital technology”. The CD standard is 16-bit, but high-quality digital remastering involves digitizing the analog master with a high quality of 20 bits or more and converting it to 16-bit. A type that uses new technology to suppress digital deterioration during conversion. Typical examples include “SBM CD” and “HDCD.” The third category is “Engineer”. They borrow the master tapes of albums from record companies and digitize them, and are extremely particular about the tape playback environment and process. Of course, each manufacturer has their own unique know-how, and they pay close attention to the finish, focusing on reproducing the “sound of the master tape itself.” Representative examples of this are “Mobile Fidelity” and “DCC Compact Classics.” And the important thing about this type is “Who remastered it?” Because the sound quality is not improved through digital technology or materials, each step depends on the skill and taste of the craftsman, and no matter who does it, it will not be the same. Among them, popular engineers appeared, and many engineers became charismatic, such as the master Bob Ruddick and Bill Inglot of the Rhino label. Their masterpieces are extremely popular among the many high-quality CDs out there, and some are even sold second-hand for tens of thousands of yen. And one of them is Steve Hoffman. The analog sound that uses vacuum tubes for mastering equipment is even called magic, and it is the charismatic sound that has spread the “DCC Compact Classics” brand around the world. [“VENUS AND MARS” has beautifully preserved every detail and reverberation of each note] This is the masterpiece “VENUS AND MARS” created by such a charismatic engineer. It looks amazing on paper, but it’s actually amazing, so I’m awed by it. I think the current version of this album is the 2014 deluxe edition, but even compared to that, the difference is obvious. The current version has the impressive volume and sound pressure, but what’s important is not that, but the real feeling of the sound. The flavor explodes from the beginning. This great masterpiece draws you in with the transition from the gentle “Venus And Mars” to the powerful “Rock Show,” but Paul increased the sound pressure at the moment of the transition to enhance the effect. However, the current version seems to focus only on the “vividness of the listening experience”, and the sound pressure is high from the gentle acoustic guitar at the beginning, which somehow drifts into “Rock Show”. On the other hand, this work perfectly expresses the original idea, and the dynamism that changes the world with a bang is vivid. Well, I can understand why Record Company wants to make you think, “As expected of a remaster!” from the moment you play it, but that only works the first time you play it. Paul’s intentions at the time when he created the masterpiece are much more clearly conveyed in this work, which is faithful to the master tape. Although it became long at the beginning, the true beauty of this work lies in the fresh master sound that has not been recorded for 20 years. The subtleties of the vibe are well preserved, and Steve Hoffman’s ability to bring them out perfectly is overwhelming. For example, the rhythm section of “Love In Song.” In the current version, only the peak of the snare sound is emphasized, “ta-ta-ta”, but in this work, you can hear the lingering “tan-tan-tan” beautifully. And the heavy bass. At the ending, you can enjoy not only the electric bass but also the delicate vibe of a contrabass, and the vibration is delicate and comfortable! Although it can be seen that the current version is being reprinted with all its might, the age difference cannot be hidden, and the thickness and delicacy are different. Once I start writing, there is no end to it. After that, I was moved by the edge of the acoustic guitar, and my soul melted by the deep bass of the piano. As expected of the Hoffman sound, it was digitized before 20 years had passed…The sound that even makes me feel grateful continues from beginning to end, coloring the masterpieces of the wonderful “VENUS AND MARS”. Even though it’s a digital CD, music is still a product of human hands and sensibilities. This is especially true if the work was handmade in the analog era. The new digital technology and materials are wonderful, but in the end, the freshness of the master tape itself and the engineer’s “kan” are the pinnacle. This work is a rare masterpiece that was digitized during the heyday of such charismatic Steve Hoffman. Taken from the original DCC Compact Classics CD(GZS-1067) Remastered by Steve Hoffman 1. Venus And Mars 2. Rock Show 3. Love In Song 4. You Gave Me The Answer 5. Magneto And Titanium Man 6. Letting Go 7. Venus And Mars (Reprise) 8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt 9. Medicine Jar 10. Call Me Back Again 11. Listen To What The Man Said12. Treat Her Gently / Lonely Old People 13. Crossroads Theme Bonus Tracks 14. Zoo Gang 15. Lunchbox / Odd Sox 16. My Carnival