McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1: The Peter Erskine Quartet

Description

McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1: The Peter Erskine Quartet is a premium jazz album crafted exclusively for the McIntosh SESSIONS project, showcasing eight original compositions performed by the world-renowned Peter Erskine Quartet. Every track on this debut volume was recorded specifically for McIntosh, ensuring a level of sonic purity, depth, and musical expression that matches the brand’s legendary audio standards. Produced entirely in AAA (all-analog) format, the album preserves the warmth, detail, and authenticity of true analog recording, making it a collector’s item for audiophiles and jazz enthusiasts alike.

Pressed on 180-gram premium vinyl, the release delivers exceptional playback quality with a rich, full-bodied soundstage. The package includes a 12-inch 33⅓ RPM LP featuring all eight songs, along with a 12-inch 45 RPM EP containing four select tracks cut at higher speed for enhanced fidelity and dynamic nuance. This special edition not only highlights the artistry of the Peter Erskine Quartet but also celebrates McIntosh’s unwavering commitment to high-fidelity musical experiences. Perfect for premium turntable setups, McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 is a standout addition to any vinyl collection.

McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1: The Peter Erskine Quartet

Welcome to McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1, an extraordinary analog album created with absolute dedication to sonic purity and artistic integrity. Recorded and mastered with meticulous precision on analog tape, the album delivers a rich, high-fidelity vinyl listening experience designed to immerse you directly into the studio environment. Every note, tone, and breath reveals the musicians’ natural energy, drawing you into an intimate and captivating performance.

Critics have praised the album as a benchmark in audiophile recording, with Michael Fremer of Tracking Angle calling it a “100% top quality all-analog production” and awarding it a rare perfect Tracking Angle 11 rating. He describes it as a “superb-sounding record in every possible way,” noting that it showcases not only the brilliance of McIntosh systems but also exposes the sonic limitations of many modern recordings by comparison. This album stands as a true demonstration of how exceptional analog can sound when crafted with purpose and passion.

Produced for McIntosh by the legendary mastering studio Sterling Sound, the entire production process from the initial recording sessions in world-renowned studios to the cutting, pressing, and final test playbacks was overseen by a highly skilled team of engineers. Their mission was simple create the finest-sounding analog record possible, while preserving every bit of emotion and chemistry from the studio session. This unique collaboration between McIntosh and Sterling Sound has resulted in an album crafted for the world’s most discerning listeners.

Reviewers like Glenn Astarita of All About Jazz praise the record for its “warmth, detail, and dynamic range,” describing it as a “four-star sonic journey” where every style and nuance is captured with exceptional clarity. The fully analog recording creates an immersive soundstage that brings you into the room with the musicians, while the pristine engineering beautifully preserves the character of each instrument.

Listeners worldwide echo these sentiments. One describes it as “one of the best recorded and executed albums” they’ve ever heard, while others express how breathtaking it sounds on high-quality systems from modern turntables to restored vintage McIntosh receivers. Wherever you play it, the album offers an emotionally rich, room-filling experience. We invite you to sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the pure sonic beauty of this live analog recording. Welcome to McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1: The Peter Erskine Quartet.

Features

McIntosh SESSIONS Volume 1 features eight original jazz compositions performed by The Peter Erskine Quartet, each recorded exclusively for this project. This is a complete AAA analog production captured live in Studio A at the iconic Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, renowned for its warm acoustics and historic musical legacy. The album was then mastered in Nashville at Sterling Sound before being pressed on premium HQ-180-gram vinyl at RTI, ensuring exceptional fidelity and durability.

The physical release includes two records: a 12-inch 33⅓ RPM LP containing all eight tracks, and an additional 12-inch 45 RPM EP featuring four select tracks that offer an even more revealing sonic experience. The album is housed in a handcrafted Old Style® tip-on gatefold jacket by Stoughton Printing, adding a luxurious, collector-grade finish. This release is available exclusively to customers within the United States, with international customers encouraged to contact their nearest McIntosh dealer.

Tracklist

The album opens on Side A of the 33⅓ RPM LP with “Leaving LA,” a beautifully atmospheric piece by Peter Erskine, followed by the soulful “Blues For Old Friends.” The energy shifts with the rhythmic brilliance of “Chilipso,” before transitioning into the lively, textured groove of “Gumbo Time.” Side B continues the musical journey with Darek Oles’ introspective “Into The Dark,” followed by Bob Mintzer’s expressive composition “A Few Good Notes.” Peter Erskine’s “David’s Blues” brings emotional depth to the sequence, while the album concludes with Alan Pasqua’s heartfelt piece “The Folks.”

The accompanying 45 RPM EP presents four tracks in even greater detail “Leaving LA” and “Blues For Old Friends” on Side A, and “Into The Dark” with “A Few Good Notes” on Side B. This higher-speed pressing enhances clarity, dynamic range, and spatial realism.

About The Peter Erskine Quartet

The Peter Erskine Quartet represents decades of musical chemistry, intuition, and shared artistry. Journalist Jim Worsley of All About Jazz describes the trio of Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, and Darek Oles as “the perfect melting pot of creativity, complexity, and rhythm,” a statement that reflects their seamless interplay and deep musical understanding. Their Grammy-nominated Live In Italy album (2022) is a testament to their mastery and enduring influence.

For this project, the trio is joined by saxophonist Bob Mintzer, the acclaimed composer, arranger, and long-time member of the Yellowjackets. His presence elevates the ensemble, adding layers of tonal richness and melodic sophistication. The result is an exceptional collaboration captured directly to analog tape a fusion of artistry, intimacy, and sonic excellence that reveals the true essence of jazz.

Individual Artist Profiles

Peter Erskine, a drummer since age four, is celebrated for his versatility and musical sensitivity. With appearances on more than 700 albums and film scores, two Grammy Awards, and collaborations with artists ranging from Weather Report and Joni Mitchell to Steely Dan and Diana Krall, Erskine is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest living drummers. He currently serves as Professor of Practice and Director of Drumset Studies at USC Thornton School of Music.

Alan Pasqua, a Steinway Artist and Grammy nominee, has performed with legendary artists such as Tony Williams, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, and Gary Burton. His expressive piano style and harmonic sophistication bring depth and emotional resonance to every project he touches.

Darek Oles, an award-winning bassist originally from Poland, has become one of the most respected acoustic bassists on the West Coast. A former student of Charlie Haden, Oles is known for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and deep musical intuition. He has been a member of the UC Irvine jazz faculty since 2002.

Bob Mintzer, a prolific saxophonist, composer, and educator, has written more than 500 big band arrangements and performed on over 1,000 recordings. A long-time member of the Yellowjackets and chief conductor of the WDR Big Band in Germany, Mintzer brings unmatched musical depth and versatility to the quartet.

Credits

This album is a full AAA production recorded at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood from September 14–18, 2023. It was recorded and mixed by Rich Breen, with assistance from Jacob Spitzer, Mark Kraus, and Noah Rastegar, under the technical expertise of John Molino. The recordings were captured on Ampex ATR-102 and Studer A800 tape machines using RTM SM900 tape, and played back through a McIntosh system featuring MC275 tube amplifiers, a C2700 preamplifier, and ML1 Mk II loudspeakers.

Mastering took place at Sterling Sound in Nashville on October 30–31, 2023, handled by Ryan Smith using McIntosh MC830 amplifiers, a C8 preamplifier, MT5 and MT10 turntables, and XR50 loudspeakers to ensure absolute sonic integrity.

The creative direction was led by Larry Hampel, Charlie Randall, and Mark Christensen, with art direction by John Doyle and photography by Alessandro Gentile and Heather Flores. The vinyl pressing was executed by RTI, while the album jacket was produced by Stoughton Printing. Legal representation was provided by George Regis.