Translation of the German review:

I was eagerly awaiting this compilation. On the one hand because of the tracks themselves, but also to get an overview of the work of the publisher 2xHD. At HIGH END 2024, nothing was left to chance at NAGRA. Everything was tailored to perfection: the room, the technology, the sound. I sat down, listened, and was thrilled, regardless of whether the music was played digitally or on vinyl. The sound celebrated by the master tape copies was in a class of its own. I listened to Jazz At The Pawnshop – Late Night, review:

https://www.audiotapereview.com/0772024jazzatthepawnshoplatenight)

and also bought the NAGRA 70th Anniversary Collection Tape, as this sampler promised a beautiful cross-section of the musical work of performers and groups from seven decades of recording art.

The album was released to mark the 70th anniversary of NAGRA. The Swiss-based company is still active today. Here is a brief overview: Polish-Swiss entrepreneur and inventor Stefan Kudelski was born in Warsaw in 1929 and became known for the brand name NAGRA, which is derived from the Polish verb “nagrywać” (to record). The form “nagrać” literally means “to have recorded (something)”. His family fled via Hungary and France during the Second World War and found asylum in Switzerland. Stefan Kudelski built his first tape recorder in 1948 while studying in Lausanne. The company he founded in 1951 is now run by his son André Kudelski (born 1960). Based in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Kudelski S.A. continues to offer high-quality audio components in addition to its specialist field of digital security systems for information transmission. If you would like to know more about the history of the company, I can recommend NAGRA - THE BOOK. You can also read my review at: 

https://www.audiotapereview.com/2025_01_nagra-das-buch.

As mentioned above, I had very high expectations of this product. Unfortunately, my final opinion of this compilation, which aims to be in the premier league of music listening, is no longer entirely positive. Below, I have provided a brief statement on each piece of music.

TAPE 1 - Red

1. Bill Evans - Very Early: A precisely played and very good-sounding jazz track that leaves nothing to be desired.

2. Piltch And Davis - Horizontal Blue: A lively track, very well played. For my taste, the bass is a little too strong, making the sound unbalanced. Reminds me of gimmicky high-end demonstrations at trade fairs.

3. Buddy Tate - Stardust: This is in stark contrast to the previous track. A slow, meditative piece, masterfully played. The saxophone is very much in the foreground compared to the other instruments. A matter of taste.

4. Shirley Horn - Dindi: One of the most sensual tracks by the superb performer Shirley Horn. Performed with her typical dedication, precision, and expressiveness. Captivatingly balanced and with beautiful dynamics.

5. Louis Armstrong - C'est Si Bon: Louis always manages to spread good cheer, whether with his trumpet or his singing. A great historical recording from 1961.

6. Marlene VerPlanck - Deep In A Dream: This recording takes us back to 1955 and is a beautiful example of early recording technology. Impressively played and captured. A very slow piece. It is the oldest track on this album.

TAPE 2 - Silver

1. The L.A. Network - Take 5 (Dave Brubeck): A well-played and lively cover version of Dave Brubeck's jazz evergreen... yet the original remains unmatched. Somewhat overbearing bass.

2. The Monty Alexander Trio - Samba De Orfeu: This samba is masterfully performed by Monty Alexander and his two fellow musicians, as expected. A lively and dynamic jazz version with great solo interludes. Tonally balanced and with very good instrument presence. Live recording!

3. Nagra - Drum Sound Check, Dynamics Demo: Minimal microphone recording for a sound check. I would have liked to hear more action. In the stereo image, the recording is far to the right.

4. Marc Vallée Trio - Caméléon: Program music with many repetitions, few fresh ideas, and hardly any variations. Humming in the bass range. The recording of the other instruments is consistent.

5. OSL - The Soldier's (Igor Stravinsky): This march seems a little out of place on this compilation. The recording is well done.

6.  Trio de Curda - Oblivion: A passionately played tango with the typical instruments. Very well recorded with only one microphone. The bass is reproduced appropriately.

7. Buzz Brass / Mélanie Barney - Mercury, The Winged Messenger (Holst): Organ and orchestra. Unfortunately, there is an ugly distortion during a loud passage. I would not have included this piece on a sampler that is supposed to meet the highest standards of reproduction. Unfortunately, the title is taken out of context and therefore seems a little strange.

8. Frédéric Alarie - George: In this piece, a double bass was miked very closely. Played boldly, but without overdrive. Well suited for demonstrating the effects of a stereo system. I find the piece tiring to listen to. There is little variation throughout, it is practically always the same and fades out at the end. The recording with only one microphone shows the limits of recording technology and is more like an experiment.

Summary and conclusion:

While TAPE 1 scores 5 stars for music and 4.5 stars for sound, TAPE 2 scores slightly lower with 4 stars for music and 4 stars for sound.

The overall rating for the album is 4.5 stars for music and 4 stars for sound, because TAPE 2 pulls the rating down compared to TAPE 1.

While TAPE 1 contains recordings from 1955, 1961, 1968, 1975, 1987, and 1996, TAPE 2 features more recent recordings from 1982, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2019, 2020, and 2021. All recordings are very low noise.

For me, tracks 1 and 4 on TAPE 1 and tracks 2 and 6 on TAPE 2 are an incentive to purchase further master tape copies from 2xHD.

The practical and well-made cardboard folding box contains a booklet, a certificate, and two precision aluminum reels from Feinwerktechnik Allgäu with RTM SM 900 tape.

Many audio enthusiasts will certainly feel that this compilation has everything they could want. However, in the overall context of my reviews and ratings, I cannot say that it is a highflyer. I have higher expectations of a master tape copy, especially for the price of $995.00 plus shipping costs.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)