Melodic, exploratory contemporary jazz features lush arrangements and stunning high-resolution Pure DSD sound
February 11, 2025 – Octave Records continues to expand its catalog of contemporary and classic jazz with the release of Sovereign Mind by Ryan Benthall, who plays piano and analog synthesizer. The album of all-original compositions combines forward-looking melodic invention with lush instrumental textures, blending traditional jazz instruments with the warmth of the synthesizer to create a distinctive and personal musical voice.
Sovereign Mind features Ryan Benthall along with David Bernot on tenor saxophone, Sean Applebee playing trumpet and fluegelhorn, Braxton Kahn on drums, and Bill McCrossen playing the upright bass. The nine originals on the album range span a wide variety of moods and tempos, from the up-tempo title track to the dreamlike feeling of “Moon Over the Mountain.” The piano is at the forefront for most of the arrangements, with the horns and synth providing a rich background of tonal colors and ensemble voicings while the rhythm section offers sympathetic accompaniment.
Ryan Benthall said, “The album’s title, Sovereign Mind, is the reflective theme of my own approach to life. To be able to think for myself, have my own perspective of life and approach to the language of music. Sovereign Mind reflects the idea of transporting ourselves to a unique place within ourselves that is beyond the typical experience.”
The album was recorded using Octave Records’ custom-built Pyramix-based 32-channel DSD 256 setup, to faithfully capture the distinctive tonal colors and character of each instrument while presenting a deep, spacious and natural ensemble sound. Sovereign Mind was recorded and mixed by Jay Elliott and mastered by Gus Skinas. It was produced by Ryan Benthall, with Jessica Carson as executive producer.
The title track begins the album with an upbeat melody with the piano and horns stating the theme, showing off the tight ensemble playing of the group and the stunning high-resolution fidelity of the recording. Each instrument has a strong sonic presence, from the attack and body of the beautiful piano sound to the warmth of the tenor sax, the harmonic richness of the acoustic bass, and the dynamic impact of the drums, all placed within a reach-out-and-touch-it sound space.
Sovereign Mind’s musical highlights are many and varied. “Ice Spring” features the horns carrying the melody, with Benthall’s piano and the rhythm section deftly navigating the shifting time signatures. Many of the songs were inspired by people and events in Benthall’s life. “Ann V” is dedicated to his grandmother, and as he notes, is “meant to capture the colorful vibrancy of her character.” “Memoriam” was written on the day singer/songwriter/musician R Scott Bryan passed, as a tribute to his talent and impact upon Benthall. “IO” is about “the mysterious moon of Jupiter,” Benthall explains, “taking us on a journey through zero gravity and outer space.” It begins with an ear-catching synthesizer sequencer arpeggio, before morphing into a pensive piano and synth melody as the rest of the band joins in.
The flowing “Moon Over the Mountain” paints an aural picture of a moonrise over a Colorado mountain house: “I would stay up late to watch the stars and the full moon dipping below the mountains that towered over the horizon. The song is meant to capture the huge space and mystical feeling of that moment in time.” The album’s gentle closer, the solo piano ballad “Sweet Dreams,” was composed while Benthall’s daughter was drifting off to sleep when she was one year old. He noted, “this composition was meant to capture the imagination of the sweetest dreamers, instilling peace and contemplation within the listener.”
Sovereign Mind 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 Sovereign Mind 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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