Jazzmachine - 24 (2022) [Hi-Res]

The new album of the exceptional producer and sound architect Stefan Zaradic is extraordinary in many respects. “24” is a journey through musical images – or better moods – dealing with the theme of time through all tracks, which cannot be classified into conventional categories. 24″ is about time, transience and re-emergence. Whether inspired by blues, reggae or funk, each of the 10 tracks develops very subtle and strong moods that pull the listener more and more. This is great music for active listening and flowing along in the stream of time. Brilliantly arranged and engineered.

The title “24” refers to the twenty-four exceptional artists Stefan Zaradic has brought together for this journey through time. The selection was made according to his very own criteria. “It doesn’t matter if I’m listening to someone on a classical, pop or jazz production, on a premium or underground project. It usually doesn’t take more than a bar or two and I feel there’s a special magic in the room that I resonate with.”

Zaradic did not give all twenty-four artists track sheets, but rather atmospheric images and asked them to record their interpretation of them. No matter if finished track or set piece – everything was saved, listened to again and again and slowly woven into an ever denser body of work. The musicians never met in person during this process. “With each new contribution, I completely rethought the corresponding track again to bring out the uniqueness of the artists,” says Stefan Zaradic. The result looks like the deeply harmonious interaction of all these unique energies.

The album “24” is inspired by the Austrian music legend Kurt Hauenstein aka Supermax, with whom Stefan toured as a keyboardist from 1985 to 1993. The two later lost track of each other until Stefan sent the first drafts and ideas to Kurt Hauenstein in 2010. He was immediately enthusiastic and started working on his contribution. Unfortunately, he could not finish his work, he died unexpectedly in early 2011. “Without Kurt, who the project was tailored to at the time, I couldn’t continue working on the album.” It took almost nine years and several attempts to complete this exceptional production dedicated to Kurt Hauenstein.

Jazzmachine’s last albums have already been recognized as audiophile highlights and with 5-star ratings. “24” once again sets a completely new mark here and will thrill and excite music lovers and fans of high-quality, sophisticated audiophile productions alike.