– Mullins and his ensemble offer reimagined takes on traditional works, and new compositions, in dynamic Pure DSD high-resolution sound –
September 17, 2025 – Gratitude by master guitarist Steve Mullins and his band Rim of the Well is the latest release from Octave Records and its blend of flamenco, Balkan, African, Latin and musical virtuosity is a thrilling musical experience. Mullins and the band perform his original compositions and distinctive interpretations of two traditional songs with virtuosity and sensitivity. Octave Records’ exclusive Pure DSD high-resolution recording process captures the distinctive voices of Mullins’ guitars and the nuances of the acoustic instruments with exceptional realism and dynamic shadings, making Gratitude a joy to hear on every musical and sonic level.
Guitarist, composer and ethnomusicologist Steve Mullins has played with many of flamenco’s most respected artists, shared stages with ensembles as varied as the Boulder Philharmonic and the Barbelfish Balkan Band, and his compositions have been on television, film, radio, and record. He has a doctorate in ethnomusicology and has published more than 50 articles. On Gratitude he is joined by Rim of the Well musicians Doug Walter (marimba), Sandra Wong (violin), Carl Dixon (percussion – cajon and pandeiro), and Sam Morgan (mandolin).
Gratitude was recorded and mixed by Paul McGowan and Jessica Carson, who also served as executive producer. It was mastered by Gus Skinas. The album was recorded using Octave’s state-of-the-art Pyramix Pure DSD system, mastered using a PS Audio DirectStream DAC and mixed using PS Audio’s flagship Aspen FR30 loudspeaker. The result is a recording that captures the all-acoustic instruments (nothing is going through an amplifier) with a wonderfully natural quality with extraordinary depth, clarity, spaciousness and especially, impactful dynamic range – start with your system turned to a lower volume as the dynamics are not limited here!
Steve Mullins uses a variety of acoustic guitars to offer a variety of tonal colors and textures. They include a 2002 Dake Traphagen classical on “Insurrection Tangos,” “Possibility of Orchids” and “Ojala,” a 1987 Pedro Maldonado flamenco Negra on “Ruben in the Rain” and “Suenos de Vuelo,” a 2016 German Vazquez Rubio flamenco blanca on “Las Abejas” and “La Llarona,” a 2019 Fernando Mazza classical featured on “Lullaby for Quinn Rose,” and a 1979 Manuel Contreras classical in “Claudia’s Wings.” You can clearly hear the differences between the instruments, from the brighter, more percussive quality of the Vazquez Rubio to the sweeter-sound and greater sustain of the Manuel Contreras instrument.
The album begins with “Insurrection Tangos,” which shows off the exciting ensemble playing and distinctive timbres of the guitars and the instruments, all placed on a deep yet intimate sound space. This is a band that has been playing together for a long time, and you can hear it in their tight yet bouncing feel. Again, the dynamic range is truly incredible. The title track, “Gratitude,” a live-performance favorite, is warm and inviting with excellent separation between the guitar, violin and marimba. “Las Abejas” (”The Bees’), a piece by Augustin Barrios, is arranged by Mullins in the flamenco styles of solea por bulerias and tanguillos and brings in the percussion with the seriously powerful low end of the cajon.
“Claudia’s Wings” is a slow-tempo guitar and violin duet between Mullins and Wong, dedicated to his mother, “who gifted me with music and whose beautiful soprano voice was a soaring soundtrack to my childhood.” ¡Ojalá! (Hopefully), a duo for guitar and mandolin that Mullins says is “inspired by hope for a better world,” features lush guitar and marimba chords and unison playing. “Suenos de Vuelo” (“Dreams of Flight”) with its shifting time signatures and lively interplay between instruments, is an exciting end to a captivating album.
Gratitude features Octave’s premium gold disc formulation, and the disc is playable on any SACD, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray player. It also has a high-resolution DSD layer that is accessible by using any SACD player or a PS Audio SACD transport. In addition, the master DSD and PCM files are available for purchase and download, including DSD 512, DSD 256, DSD 128, DSD 64, and DSDDirect Mastered 352.8 kHz/24-bit, 176.2 kHz/24-bit, 88.2 kHz/24-bit, and 44.1 kHz/24-bit PCM. (SRP: $29.)
If you’re a member of the media and would like Gratitude for review, please contact Frank Doris at [email protected] or 631-645-5668. About PS Audio
Celebrating 50 years of bringing music to life, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.
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