– Octave Records’ latest release features Benthall and his quintet on an instrumental musical journey into jazz, classical and contemporary influences, captured in superb Pure DSD high-resolution sound –
May 4, 2026 – Ryan Benthall calls his music “jazz adjacent,” reflecting the fact that his compositions, while founded in jazz structures, are informed by a wealth of musical influences, as heard in Octave Records’ latest release, Divine Sky. The album includes nine original compositions that combine Benthall’s distinctive melodies with rich harmonic textures, beautifully orchestrated ensemble passages, and virtuoso musicianship.
Divine Sky features Ryan Benthall on piano and synthesizers, along with Braxton Kahn on drums, Bill McCrossen playing upright bass, Jason Greenlaw on guitar, and the formidable horn section of David Bernot on tenor sax and Sean Applebee playing trumpet. The group displays a variety of instrumental textures, from classic jazz stylings to musical passages that aren’t easily categorized. It’s all conveyed in Octave Records’ extraordinary Pure DSD sound, with a natural tonality, clarity and warmth that perfectly complements the music. The grand piano is recorded with a depth of tone, complexity, and dynamic shading that bring out the beauty of the instrument and is one of the many reasons that Divine Sky is a joy to listen to.
The album was recorded and mixed at Octave Studios by Jay Elliott, mastered by Gus Skinas, and produced by Ryan Benthall. It was recorded using Octave’s Pyramix Pure DSD system, and mixed and mastered using PS Audio’s flagship Aspen FR30 loudspeakers.
“Divine Sky,” the title track, begins the album with Benthall playing a pensive piano intro, then joined by the ensemble stating the melody, with shifting chord changes, alternating quiet and energetic passages, and a guitar solo with a sweet, rounded tone. Why “Divine Sky?” As Benthall noted, “I was living in a loft in downtown St. Louis. It had giant windows that overlooked these old churches with big steeples, and one night, the sun was hitting the clouds and the horizon just right, for a breathtaking sunset. I imagined flying through the atmosphere as a bird, seeing all these colors.”
The up-tempo “Time Lion” is powered by a bass riff on a tricky time signature and features more of the band’s many improvisational flights, by Benthall on piano, then Bernot and then Benthall again on synthesizer. This is musicianship of the highest caliber. The melody of “Scribe” was composed in a unique way: Benthall was sitting with his two-year-old daughter and she began drawing lines and shapes on staff paper. He adapted these shapes into music.
“Wisdom” is a slower-tempo piece that has the musicians in a reflective mood, while “Orion’s Tale” finds them exploring some free-form territory. “Ebb and Flow” is simply sublime. Divine Sky ends with “Zen City,” which has a sparse, open, contemplative feel, the perfect way to end an album that takes the listener through a varied and colorful musical landscape.
Divine Sky 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.)
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 includes audio components, loudspeakers, power regenerators and power conditioners.
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