“Look out Brubeck, Sophisticated Lady’s remarkable debut should perhaps be re-titled TAKE ONE. Why? Each tune was captured in one take! The 60+ minute CD also celebrates Yarlung’s audiophile venture into JAZZ with a splatter of Chet Baker’s seductive, kicked-back Californication daubed with a drizzle of Miles at his mellowest.
No matter how busy your day, an evening spin through this one will definitely move your mood.”
–David Thomson, RecordCollectorNews.com
“Yarlung Records did it again. This time it’s their first jazz entry that has golden warmth of a Blue Note from its heyday as well as visceral instruments presence of a Contemporary Records. Recorded in Cammilleri concert hall using only a vintage tube stereo microphone, the sound of the CD is creamy like butter while the texture is so rich that you can easily discern which parts of the drum set the player hits and rubs. The big crescendo on For Andrew is mind blowing!”
–Mori Shima, Stereo Sound, Japan
“More jazz records should be like Sophisticated Lady Quartet—relaxed yet focused, tradition-based yet modern, elegant yet conveying a sure sense of swing. The recording is so pure that you almost feel as if you’re eavesdropping on four musicians who seem completely in their element while performing, in a one-take environment, a set that’s evenly split between previously rehearsed arrangements and performances where they had one chance to turn a composition into a memorable piece of music. No splicing or editing here—just a live-in-the-studio recording where the mood, playing and sonics are so solid that that jazz lovers will wish that the mostly-classical label Yarlung wandered over to this side of the street more often.”
–Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound
“Sophisticated Lady” performed this year for The Young Artist Jazz Series at Catalina Bar and Grill, and brought the crowd to their feet. I was so impressed with the group’s innovation and talent in both their playing and writing. They bring a modern and creative energy to their original songs as well as standards, while maintaining the integrity of what is at the heart of jazz music. I have no doubt that they will have enormous success”
–Barbara Brighton, producer Young Artist Jazz Series