Jazzy Zoetrope is a unique album concept, inspired by Pro-Ject Audio Systems’ company founder, Heinz Lichtenegger, and the talented singer and musician, 7Ray.
Featuring a suite of Jazz classics, the album takes you on a musical journey through both a meticulously planned studio performance and a perfectly executed live recording. Performed to an exceptional standard by 7Ray, with fellow musicians Simon Plötzeneder and the jazz trio Triple Ace, this is a true audiophile marvel.
Subjected to a pure analogue recording, mixing and mastering process the album has no cuts and no edits, just a totally authentic, natural feel. Sold as an audiophile double 180g LP album in gatefold sleeve, pressed by AUSTROVINYL, or as a Master Tape supplied on ¼” SM468 Tape, on 2 x 10.5” NAB metal reels in 15ips speed, CCIR equalised; it is a must-listen experience.
Track Listing:
Studio Recording - Side A
- Night and day
- Fly me to the moon
- One for my baby
- It was a good year
Studio Recording - Side B
- I've been missing you
- My baby just cares for me
- Send in the clowns
- Nature boy
- I remember you
Live Recording - Side C
- Nature boy
- A foggy day
- I've got you under my skin
- I've been missing you
Live Recording - Side D
- Blue moon
- My baby just cares for me
- Lady is a Tramp
- One for my baby
The Artists
7RAY: Born in Austria, 7Ray began at the age of twelve as a singer and guitarist. He impressed the Hollywood film industry with his theme songs for the movies “The Informers” (starring Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke and Billy Bob Thornton) and “Unthinkable” (starring Samuel Jackson, Carry Anne Moss and more). With his jazz albums June Gloom in LA, Love and Steel, Round Midnight, and Christmas in LA, 7RAY underlines his artistic versatility with each recording.
Simon Plötzeneder (Trumpet Player): Simon Plötzeneder has played trumpet and piano since he was nine years old. He completed his jazz trumpet qualifications with excellent success, highlighted by three concerts with piano legend Joe Zawinul. In 2009 he completed his master’s degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam music academy. He was then able to extend his studying as winner of a scholarship for the Manhattan School of Music. Currently he is in demand as a touring musician, and mainly divides his time between Vienna and Germany.
Oliver Kent (Piano Player for Triple Ace): Oliver Kent studied classical piano, yet in 1987 he began concentrating on jazz piano. Very quickly he received his first engagements with internationally known artists including Karl Ratzer, Art Farmer and Idris Muhammed. From 1993 to 1995 Kent lived in New York City, where he worked together with Valerie Ponomarev and Eddie Henderson. Now he is a very active part of the jazz scene in Austria and beyond as well as co-founding Triple Ace.
Dusan Novakov (Drummer for Triple Ace): Between 1986 and 1988 Dusan Novakov joined the international jazz seminar in Grožnjan with Reggie Workman. From 1989 to 1998 he studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. From 1996 to 1997 he studied percussion at the University of Arts in Rotterdam. Since 1991 he has played at international Jazz festivals and has been on stage with various well-known Jazz ensembles, as well as co-founding Triple Ace in 2010.
Uli Langthaler (Bass Player for Triple Ace): Uli Langthaler studied at the Music University of Vienna. From 1987 to 1991 he was a member of the Orchester der Vereinigten Bühnen Wien, the orchestra of all major music productions in Viennese theatres. Since 2008, he has led the ensemble, The Kent Langthaler 7 before co-founding Triple Ace in 2010.
The Studios and The Equipment
Studio: Studio Baumgarten, a special analogue hotspot in Vienna, has produced multiple historical recordings since the 1960s. Due to the discrete analogue technology and the large recording concert hall, equipped with a Bösendorfer Grand Imperial piano, the premises represent an exceptional recording situation for today‘s professionals. The old WSW recording console is a special part of the studio, as the signals are processed with transistor and vacuum tube technology.
Live: No monitor speakers were used during the recording at the Pro-Ject Headquarters in order to guarantee a neutral, dynamic live stereo image with zero crosstalk and interference. This decision meant that the vocal soloist, as well as the musicians, cannot hear themselves easily, hence the routine is pronounced for a proper intonation and a confident performance.
Recording Equipment:
Acousta DCA100E mixing console
Otari MX-70 8-track tape machine
Neumann M269C and KM100 microphones
AKG C414EB and C414comb microphones
MBHO MBP603 microphone
Schoeps CMC5 microphone
Neumann U47 microphone with modded capsule
Neumann m49a microphone
Recording Engineers: David Kübelböck, Joachim Bäck (Live engineer)
Mixdown Equipment:
CADAC 36/24 Custom Studio Console (1974) mixing console
Studer A80VU master tape machine
Mixing Studio: megabyte-kitchen
Mixed by: 7RAY & Andy Beit
Production:
Vinyl-production: AUSTROVINYL
Master Tape Copies:
Playback tape machine:
Studer A820 MKII with 1/2“ SM900 tape; 15ips, CCIR, 510nW @ +6dBu, no noise reduction
Recording tape machines:
Studer A807 MKII with 1/4“ SM468 tape; 15ips, CCIR, 320nW @ +6dBu, no noise reduction
