Music: Mel Torme and Buddy Rich – Together Again (1978) MFSL (1993)

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL, or "MoFi") is a company that produces audiophile releases of classic CDs and vinyl records.

Many commercial CDs undergo dynamic range compression in order to sound "louder" when played on radio or low-end systems. Some consider this detrimental to the sound quality when reproduced on high-quality equipment. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases are highly desirable due to their attention to detail concerning the audio mastering process. Some of the techniques used are half-speed mastering and pressing gold-plated CDs. MFSL also releases record albums meant to be played at 45 RPM instead of the standard 33⅓ RPM, for better sound quality. These albums must be released on two or three discs, as less music can be held at increased speed.

MFSL only acquires the license to reproduce releases for a specific time period, and because of the limited quantities produced, they are highly sought after.

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Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's ongoing quest is to deliver the foremost sounding audio entertainment software that technological innovation can provide. From our first UHQR™ vinyl LP to our latest Ultradisc UHR™ SACD, we have been and will remain a steadfast innovator in the audiophile frontier. We further believe that technological development serves best when accompanied by a profound awareness and appreciation for the elusive magic and mystery that comprises music itself. Our greatest hope is that our products will serve as conduits for ears ands souls to experience premium, pure, natural sound reproduction of diverse, pre-eminent original master recordings across the entire musical spectrum


Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999) was an American jazz and standards singer with a light, high-tenor voice. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest male singers in the history of jazz. Tormé also wrote a number of classic jazz songs and wrote almost all the arrangements for the songs he sang.
In 1943, Tormé and Frank Sinatra appeared in their first film together, "Higher and Higher." His early crooning style led to his publicist coining the name, "The Velvet Fog," to describe his smooth style, a name Tormé hated.
1944 saw Tormé form his own vocal group, the Mel-Tones, which included Les Baxter and Ginny O'Connor. The Mel-Tones had several hits, both on their own as well as paired with Artie Shaw's band. Cole Porter's song, "What is This Thing Called Love?" was their biggest hit. The Mel-Tones were among the first of the jazz-influenced vocal groups, setting the direction later followed by The Hi-Los and Manhattan Transfer.
In 1947, Tormé went solo, recording a number of romantic hits, including the 1949 number one "Careless Hands". His high tenor, smooth vocal style earned him the sobriquet "The Velvet Fog", which he disliked. He also came to pioneer cool jazz.
During the 1950s, as rock & roll music increased in popularity, which he termed 'three chord manure' Tormé was forced to abandon the commercial path and turned more and more to jazz. "Mountain Greenery" became a minor hit for Tormé in 1956. Critics say his art reached its first creative peak on a series of albums arranged by Marty Paich, one of the leading figures in West coast jazz of that period.
On August 8, 1996, a debilitating stroke abruptly ended his 65-year singing career. In February 1999, Tormé was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
He died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 73 on June 5, 1999.

Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuostic technique, power, speed and ability to improvise.
He was born to Jewish parents in Brooklyn, New York on September 30, 1917. It was his father who initially realized Buddy's talent for rhythm, when Buddy could keep a steady beat with a drumstick at the age of one. He began playing drums in vaudeville when he was 18 months old, billed as "Traps the Drum Wonder". At the peak of Rich's childhood career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world. At 11 he was performing as a bandleader. He received no formal drum instruction and, in fact, denounced all instruction (believing it would actually degrade his gift for music). And he never engaged in practicing drums, stating that all the practice he needed, he derived by his performances. Though he was considered among the most original and creative drummers with few peers, he has been quoted as expressing great admiration for and drawing influence from the playing of Chick Webb, Gene Krupa, and Jo Jones, among a few others.
In 1937 he entered jazz with Joe Marsala's group, then played with Bunny Berigan (1938), Artie Shaw (1939), Tommy Dorsey (1939–1942, 1945, 1954–1955), Benny Carter (1942), Harry James (1953–1956), Les Brown, Charlie Ventura, and Jazz at the Philharmonic, as well as leading his own band and performing with all-star groups. For most of the period from 1966 until his death, he led a successful big band in an era when the popularity of big bands had waned from its peak in the 1930s and 40s. His most popular performance was a big band arrangement of West Side Story. His version of The Beat Goes On (originally by Sonny and Cher) with Rich's then 12 years old daughter Cathy was also remarkable. Though Buddy was typically a helpful and friendly man, he was also known to have a short temper. In many instances, he took advantage of the fact he was so highly respected. He threatened to fire band members many times. However, he rarely actually did.
Buddy Rich died April 2, 1987. Reportedly, among his last words prior to surgery when asked by a nurse if anything was bothering him were, "Yes ... country music!" He is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.





Though Torme and Rich were friends for years, they never made a recording together until 1978. In this album we hear two giants in their fields having fun together in a direct-to-disc LP which sounds like a live performance. Rich and his band cede artistic control here to Torme, whose arrangements are featured on all but "Blues in the Night," which, incidentally, is an amazing song, full of unusual sounds and tempos, lasting a full eight minutes, and featuring a solo of jazz tuba. Torme has perfect pitch, and Rich has perfect tempo, and together they create a jazz album which goes way beyond the traditional interpretations of these well-known songs, breaking new ground and leaving a legacy for modern performers to emulate.
The album starts traditionally enough with "When I Found You," with the trumpets sounding somewhat distant, allowing Torme's mellow sound to flourish. "Here's That Rainy Day" is one of my favorites here, its introduction featuring "Soon It's Gonna Rain," followed by a tenor sax solo by Phil Woods (brought in for the occasion), which then continues in the background as Torme turns this traditional song into a very slow, bluesy ballad, full of drama, long-held notes, and his lovely vibrato. "Bluesette" features a great Buddy Rich solo, which gradually becomes softer and continues in the background as the bluesy trumpets enter and Torme takes over. On "Bluesette" the band plays a scat background as Torme carries the tune, and when Torme turns to scat, Rich plays with the tempo and the trumpets, until the melody returns to Torme.
"I Won't Last a Day Without You," begins traditionally and gets into off-tempo riffs before returning to the traditional sound and dramatic interpretation for which Torme is famous, ending with a high note that lasts at least fifteen seconds. "Lady Be Good," Torme's famous tribute to Ella Fitzgerald is almost totally scat, with musical references to Ella's famous "Yellow Basket." Rich plays noticeable, but not intrusive, riffs throughout. This is an imaginative, interesting, and unusual album, certain to appeal to jazz buffs and fans of Torme and Rich, a collaboration of two of the greats, whose interpretations here bring new sounds and meanings to old favorites.




Download (Rapidshare):
Mel Torme MFSL - Part One
Mel Torme MFSL - Part Two
Mel Torme MFSL - Part Three

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