The Latvian Radio Big Band is one of the most legendary jazz music ensembles in the Baltics, which over the course of many years has proven itself with high quality recordings and has brought together outstanding jazz musicians. “Identities" is comprised of compositions by the Big Band’s leader, Kārlis Vanags, which are rooted in big band traditions and are surprisingly honest and personal. Contemporary music without artificial melodic resolution which sustains a lively swing mood. A recording whose accessibility to a wider audience is in balance with its artistic virtue.

Album: Karlis Vanags, Latvian Radio Big Band - Identities

Label: Jersika Records – JRA 007

Format: Reel-To-Reel, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Limited Edition, CCIR or NAB Equalisation

Country: Latvia

Released: 22 May 2020

Genre: Jazz

Style: Big Band, Contemporary Jazz

Tracklist:

1. Self Esteem 6:55

2. New Life 8:17

3. Hopes And Dreams 5:58

4. Priorities 5:57

5. Inner Voice 2:16

6. Challenges 4:22

7. Belief 6:48

Composed By Karlis Vanags

Musicians:

Kārlis Vanags - tenor sax

Dāvis Jurka - alto sax, flute, clarinet, section lead

Jānis Puķītis - alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet

Gints Pabērzs - tenor sax, soprano sax

Māris Jēkabsons - tenor sax

Kristaps Lubovs - baritone sax, bass clarinet

Andris Augstkalns - 1st trumpet, section lead

Gatis Gorkuša - 2nd trumpet

Oskars Ozoliņš - 3rd trumpet

Reinis Puriņš - 4th trumpet

Dominykas Vyšniauskas - 5th trumpet

Laura Rozenberga - 1st trombone, section lead

Kārlis Alfrēds Feldbergs - 2nd trombone

Uldis Ziediņš - 3rd trombone

Nauris Strežs - bass trombone, tuba

Viktors Ritovs - piano, Fender Rhodes

Rihards Goba - guitar

Edvīns Ozols - electric bass, upright bass

Artis Orubs - drums

Guests:

Atis Andersons - Hammond organ

Jievaras Jasinskis - trombone

All music composed and arranged by Kārlis Vanags.

Recorded on January 28 - 30 2020 at Spikeri Concert Hall, Riga, Latvia.

Recording Engineer: Gustavs Ērenpreiss.

Assistant Recording Engineer: Kaspars Putriņš.

Tape Engineer: Balvis Trinkuns, Kaspars Putriņš

Analog Mastering for vinyl at duophonic. Mastering Engineer: Moritz Illner

Produced By Mareks Ameriks.

Photo By Oskars Upenieks

This album was recorded live direct to analog tape using a Studer A 80 1/4” two-track tape recorder without any editing or overdubbing. All tapes AAA pure analogue on SM-900 RTM tape on bespoke custom-made reel spool. Limited 100 copies for each release. Format: Reel-To-Reel, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Limited Edition, IEC CCIR.  Most of recordings on Jersika Records are made completely analogue – recorded live reel-to-reel to tape and carefully mastered to preserve the warmth of the sound. No noise reduction, equalization, compression nor limiting was used in recording this record.

AAA Analog Tape – master audio reel tape duplication copy is a handmade product in real-time, by sound engineers and studio professionals with today's technology advantages: more excellent dynamic range, especially at frequency extremes; minimal signal processing; and unsurpassed richness and realism - it's the closest to hearing the music on master tape copy.

The tape copy is transferred in real-time, using studio-level reel-to-reel tape recorders on the freshly made SM900 RTM audiotape. Production of audiotapes is a very time-consuming process, so each label usually can only release a new album in batches.

Compatible Tape Recorders - here is a partial list of compatible tape recorders: 3M, Akai, Ampex 350, 351, 354, 440, MR70, ATR 100, 102, Ballfinger M063H1, M063H3, M063H5, M063H1IX, Crown, Denon, Fostex, Lyrec, Magnecord, Marantz, MCI, Mitsubishi, Nagra T, Nagra IV-S/QGB, Otari, Philips PRO35, PRO36, Pioneer RT707, Scully280, Shure, Sony, Stellavox, Studer B67, C37, A80, 810, A820, ReVox A77, C260, G36, PR99, Tandberg, Teac X2000, Tascam, Technics RS1500, Telefunken M5, M10, M12, M15, Thorens TM1600, United home audio and more.