Concord Records is proud to present this collection of highlights from its premiere releases in the breath-taking Hybrid SACD format. From intimate acoustic jazz, to swinging vocals, to percussive Latin jazz, to roaring big band, the SACD sound reveals all of the details and nuances in these landmark Concord recordings with stunning clarity and realism. Each track in this Hybrid SACD sampler can be heard in SACD multichannel surround sound or SACD Stereo. Hear these classic Concord recordings again for the first time, on SACD.

Japanese ESOTERIC Company proudly introduces a new series of Re-mastered Jazz Masterpiece Collection. The reissue of historical music masterpieces by ESOTERIC has attracted a lot of attention, both for its uncompromising commitment to recreating the original master sound, and for using SACD technology to improve sound quality. This Box Set of "Six Queens Of Jazz Vocal" features iconic releases of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae, Helen Merrill, Monica Zetterlund, and Peggy Lee. Experience the legendary performance in this new format. Not only for new followers, but also for well experienced followers of these recorded materials. All will be equally impressed by the "soul" hidden within the notes, but never before found in previously released recordings in any format.

Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics. "Book of Ballads" is her 1959 album, arranged by Frank Hunter. Billboard chose the cover of Book of Ballads as their 'Album Cover of the Week' in their January 19, 1959 issue.

Recorded over a three-night engagement at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco in 1976, jazz vocalist Carmen McRae presents this eclectic selection of jazz standards and a handful of pop songs including a surprising cover of Alice Cooper's ballad "Only Women Bleed".

Jazz vocalist Carmen McRae's 1975 Blue Note studio album. McRae was considered one of the most influential jazz singers in the 20th century. She was recognized for her musical phrasing, singing behind the beat, and her memorable song interpretations. I Am Music features covers of "I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before", "Faraway Forever" and "I Never Lied to You".

Carmen McRae's debut was recorded in 1954, the same year she was awarded the title Best New Female Vocalist by DownBeat magazine. Accompanied by an all-star line up of musicians including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor saxophone, Wendell Marshall on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums, this auspicious debut set up the rest of McRae's successful career which would see her record more than 60 albums, garner multiple Grammy nominations and appear in films and on television.

It may have made Bogart and Bergman immortal, but the song "As Time Goes By" curiously never became one of the many jazz standards of the day. So, to find it here in the company of other perennial songs from the jazz catalog is quite a treat. And even more impressive is the fact Carmen McRae is the one at the microphone. Recorded in 1973 at Tokyo's Dug jazz club, As Time Goes By finds McRae accompanying herself on piano. And if one wasn't quite sure whether to put Miss McRae in the same company as a Sarah Vaughan or Dinah Washington, then this collection of numbers should definitely tip the scales. Here is one of jazz's most underrated chanteuses spelling it all out.