Summer '10

Addis feat. FYI opens at #16 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart with their release "Disco."   Congrats, Addis, and thanks for choosing Arf! Mastering.

Folk icon Judy Collins was just in, this time recasting mastering engineer Alan Silverman in his former role as her producer, recording, and mixing engineer for her new release "Paradise."    Judy returns to her roots as a story teller, social and political activist, and interpreter of traditional ballads.  The set features duets with Joan Baez and Stephen Stills and closes with a new song by Jimmy Webb.  Judy's passionate and evocative crystal clear voice are woven with the stellar playing of musicians Russ Walden, Larry Campbell, and the Nashville Rhythm Section.  "Paradise" debuts at number 11 on Billboard's Folk chart.  Judy's first appearance on the Billboard charts was in April of 1964 spanning an on-going career of over 46 years!

Vocalist Jane Monheit was in with her new recording for Emarcy Records, her first self-produced album, and her first album with her own band.   Jane and her touring musicians have a hand-in-glove synergy and this set presents a new depth and range to her artistry. 

Jazz master guitarist Kenny Burrell checks in for mastering his new Live At Dizzy's Club Cocoa Cola CD.  Vocalist Freddy Cole returns for his new release "Sings For Mister B," both albums produced by the venerable Todd Barkan.

Calle 54 Records is back with another of their intriguing and unexpected hybrids.   This one pairs virtuosos Pedro Martinez on percussion and Niño Josele on Flamenco guitar in an homage to maestro Camarón de la Isla featuring a new take on the Cuban Rumba. 

Master reed player James Carter came by for mastering "Concerto For Saxophones" a newly composed orchestral work produced by Michael Cuscuna and recorded/mixed by engineer extraordinaire Jim Anderson. 

Warsaw producer Pawel Marciniak e-mastered his new production of the band Vintage, a powerhouse collection of heavy rock.  

Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound were by with producer/arranger Wayne Haun for "The Cathedral Project" a traditional set of Southern Gospel songs in tribute to the great Bill Gaither.  

Bermuda-based producer Tony Brannon sent us a set of 20 new artists local to Bermuda for a compilation of new recordings showing the richness and diversity of this small but talented musical community.  The set features unknown artists as well as signed artists such as Heather Nova, Mishka, and Collie Buddz.  

Up and coming, socially conscious hip-hop artist Genesis Be, aka Lo Key stopped by for the mastering of a new video track "Lovers Or Friends" featuring Auzriel.   

Ninjasonik were back with a new album of their unique blend of hip-hop, electronica and rap, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics after the success of their release "Art School Girls." 

Producer Jesse Lauter back with three projects, a new release from The Woes, a single for Elmer Perkins, and an EP for Faroe Islands based alternative rock group Marius Masses.  Thank you to all these artists and producers for choosing Arf! as your mastering home. 

Spring '10

R&B/Country-Blues legends The Holmes Brothers in with their producer and guest vocalist Joan Osborne mastering "Feed My Soul" for Aligator Records.   Jazz/R&B/Roots singer Catherine Russell here mastering her new release for World Village with producer Paul Kahn.  Latin rocker Nicolas Mayorca remotely "e-mastering" his new EMI single "Tanto."   Producer Rob Mounsey (Rihanna, James Taylor) and mixer Rich Travali (Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani) stopping by for mastering a debut CD for singer Yvette Rovira.   Producer/mixer Jim Anderson in to master a new live CD for jazz pianist Helen Sung.   Japanese super-star Mizuho and her producer Tiger Okohsi mastering her new international release. 

The editors of Stereophile Magazine have just published a list of 60 must have CDs for all time.   The multi-artist Americana CD "Heartworn Highways" made this prestigious list!  The CD was mixed and mastered by Alan from original documentary location-recordings of the "new-country" renegades of the early '70s, Townes Van Zant, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, and David Allen Coe. 

Releases mastered at Arf! earned six Grammy wins and nominations at the recent Latin and American Grammy Awards.  Congratulations to Bebo and Chucho Valdes for their LARAS and NARAS wins this year!  Congratulations to Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound and to The Triumphant Quartet for their nominations in the Gospel and Bluegrass categories.

Fall '09

... has brought in many old friends and new.   Flamenco guitar master Nino Josele is back with a new project for Warner blending Jazz, Latin, and Flamenco styles featuring guest artists Phil Woods and Pedro Martinez.  International star Ingrid Alberini is back with her unique style of Euro Club music.  Tom Music of Madrid brought in an elegant new album by Spain's "Idol" winner Rosa.  Producer Javier Limon, also from Madrid, returns with a new album for the extraordinary Ladino singer Yasmin Levy, now on a world tour.  Brooklyn is, as ever, a source of wonderful new indie music as evidenced by the brilliant duo Merrady and Gene with their new EP.  Southern Gospel artists Clint Brown, The Bumbaugh Family, The Collingsworth Family, and Signature Sound were here with music to spread the word.  Calle 54 returns with a new album for pianist Paquito Hechevarria, of Gloria Estefan "Conga" fame, featuring the songs of Frank Sinatra in a contemporary Salsa style.    Isaac Delgado, one of Cuba's greatest singers, is in with his new album, a tribute to Nat King Cole.  EMI recording artist Nicolas Mayorca is putting the finishing touches on a new rock release.  Medeski, Martin & Wood have completed a special box set edition of their acclaimed Radiolarians series including four vinyl sides.   Our restoration work continues with a set of rare tracks from Nancy Wilson and the first time on CD release of the first six Sesame Street cast albums!  Thanks to all of these artists  and producers for choosing Arf! and congratulations to Bebo and Chucho Valdes for their nomination in this year's Latin Grammy Awards.

Peggy Lee "Jump For Joy" Summer '09

E1 Entertainment and DRG Records are set for the summer release of an historic 1958 collaboration between Peggy Lee and Nelson Riddle.  The album "Jump For Joy" will now be available for the first time in stereo on CD.   DRG chose to go back to the original three-track session tapes in order to create completely new stereo mixes that present the sessions in an intimate and natural setting.   The mixes evoke the feeling of standing in the center of the legendary Capitol Studio with Peggy and the Nelson Riddle horns, rhythm, and strings close at hand.   Alan Silverman was tapped to mix and master the project for Arf!

Spring '09

Alan Silverman has been appointed to teach the art of mastering in the graduate music technology/tonemeister program at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.  Alan continues to teach a mastering course for undergraduates in the Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at NYU's Tisch School Of The Arts.

Medeski, Martin & Wood are back for mastering Radiolarians 3, the third in their acclaimed Radiolarians series of free-form funk jazz. 

Arf! Mastering has completed the restoration of over 150 Capitol Records releases from the 1950s.  Artists include Harry Belafonte, June Christy, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mercer, Jeri Southern, Jo Stafford, Dakota Staton, and Mel Torme.   The tracks were restored and remastered respectful of their original feel and dynamic range and are available from DRG Records.

Back to the present, we were thrilled to be chosen to do the mastering for "Curriculum" a terrific new release from NYC indie artist Abby Ahmad, and for the new world music release from Lily Storm.

Alan Silverman presented two master classes in the art of mastering at The Nashville Recording Workshop+Expo.   Alan also appeared on an NRW+E panel with legendary producer/engineer George Massenburg, and Vance Powell, winner of the 2009 Grammy for best engineered album. 

Winter '08

Congratulations to Earl Klugh for his nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album, "The Spice Of Life," and to The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra for their nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, "Monday Night Live At The Villiage Vanguard."   Thank you to these artists for choosing Arf! for mastering.

Audio Geek Alert:   We've recently installed a terrific new set of main monitors - the  Revel Studio2.  It was hard to trump the Dunlavy monitors that had played so much great music over the years, but the Revels did so in style and were an instant success.  No looking back!  The Duns will be sent to a good home (mine) for recreational listening!

Fall '08

Alan Silverman has received his second Album Of The Year Grammy nomination!  This year's nomination is for Concha Buika's latest release, "La Nina De Fuego,"  an extraordinary set of tracks combining pop, Flamenco, and modern jazz styles with Buika's passionate singing.    Alan's first Album Of The Year nomination was for "Lagrimas Negras,"  an international hit featuring Diego El Cigala and Bebo Valdes.  We thank the producers of these extraordinary albums for turning to Arf! Mastering for their final touches.  In addition to receiving these two prestigious individual nominations, Alan has mastered over 30 Grammy recognized albums since Arf's founding in 1997. 

Recent releases mastered at Arf! have been doing well.   Earl Klugh's "Spice Of Life" has been the #1 selling jazz album on both iTunes and Amazon.  Medeski, Martin & Wood's "Radiolarians I" has been hailed by a some reviewers as the band's best album to date.    Buika's "La Nina de fuego" released in June, is running #1 in five Amazon sales categories as of mid-November!  She's at #1 in smooth jazz, Latin, Flamenco, Bolero and Gypsy!  Congratuations to Concha Buika, Earl and MM&W, and best wishes for continued success!

Summer '08

Wildflower Records has been in with a multi-artist tribute to Judy Collins.   Judy Collins is known to three generations of listeners as the singer whose golden voice and honest interpretations introduced the world to the songs of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Stephen Sondheim, yet she is also an accomplished songwriter.   The project features such great voices as Shawn Colvin, Chrissie Hynde, Dolly Parton, Bernadette Peters, Amy Speace, Rufus Wainwright, Jimmy Webb, The Webb Sisters,  Kenny White, and Dar Williams performing original versions of Collins' songs.   The mastering was done in high-resolution from the original mixes by Alan Silverman who was also tapped to record and mix orchestra and voice for the selections by Rufus Wainwright and Bernadette Peters.

Patricia Barber's "Cole Porter Mix," mastered at Arf! in the early spring, is about to be released and has earned very enthusiastic reviews.   Stereophile's September '08 issue gave the CD 4 1/2 stars for performance and 4 1/2 stars for sonics.   The CD will be available on Blue Note Records. 

Spring '08

The new year has brought some great new music through our doors.   Pianist and vocalist extraordinare Patricia Barber was in for her elegant new release "The Cole Porter Mix" for Blue Note, as was jazz piano maestro Kenny Barron for Universal.  Producer John Medeski (Medesky, Martin & Wood) was in with another new release for Blue Note, The Wood Brothers' "Loaded," a terriffic rootsy set of original songs.  Earl Klugh was here mastering "The Spice Of Life" a gorgeous new CD featuring his virtuoso guitar work and full orchestrations by Don Sebesky.  The exquisite Flamenco-jazz vocalist Concha Buika and her producer, Javier Limon, sent their new project in from Madrid for mastering for international release.  Finally drg records was back with a collector's series of vintage reissues - Kay Starr, "South Pacific" with Peggy Lee and Gordon McRae, "Annie Get Your Gun" with Doris Day and Robert Goulet, and a set of 19 previously unreleased tracks by Mel Torme.  We've also had the pleasure of working with many exceptionally talented indie artists including Rachele Garniez, Michael Block, Emily Asen, Forman, and Bovine Homecoming.

Judy Garland At The Grove

DRG Records has turned to Alan Silverman to remix and remaster the classic live performance by Judy Garland at the Grove in LA, recorded by Capitol Records in 1962.   The original three-track master tapes were transferred at high resolution and sent to Arf!  Algorithmix EQ and restoration tools helped bring the sound back to life and restore spectral imbalances in the original recording.  

Pete Seeger - The Power Of Song

Arf! mastering has restored and remastered over 70 music tracks for this remarkable new documentary about a modern day American patriot and hero.   The music ranges from early 1950s recordings of The Weavers and Paul Robeson, up to recent performances by Pete who is still singing in his 90s.  The songs play a key role in the film which opened for a held-over run in New York and LA.   American Masters on PBS will include the program in its Spring '08 lineup.  Highly recommended.

Stereophile Magazine Gives Patricia Barber Boxed Set Five stars For Sound

Reviewer Tom Conrad writes in the January 2008 issue:  "Patricia Barber, The Premonition Years: 1994-2002...all the music has been brilliantly remastered...taken up one level in realism and clarity, given even more air and light."  Thank you , Tom!

 Dave Davies New Solo Release

Fractured Mindz, 2nd Edition, offers eleven new songs from The Kinks legendary co-founder and lead guitarist.   Dave's creativity and depth are in full force. 

"James White" by Lewis, Scruggs, and Long Hits #1 on Radioactive's Bluegrass Charts

The first single from the debut release by new-comer Lizzie Long with all-time Bluegrass greats Earl Scruggs and Little Roy Lewis. 

Casa Limon Releases Homage to Astor Piazzola

A stunning record from Madrid's top Flamenco production team.  Phenomenal musicianship and beautiful acoustic sound. 

"Turn Up The Heath" by The Jimmy Heath Big Band Tops Jazz Radio

The classic big-band leader breaks new ground with this critically acclaimed release and reaches the Jazz Week top five for radio plays.  The project is a blend of old-school jazz and urban R&B produced by Jimmy's son, James Mtume, and Douglas Purviance, engineered by Gary Chester and mastered at Arf!  

Grammy Awards and NY Times Top Ten

Congrats to these and to all of our artist, producer and engineer clients for a successful year and best wishes for 2007. Bebo Valdes, "Bebo" 2006 Latin Grammy Winner for "Best Latin Jazz."   Javier Limon, "Limon" 2006 Latin Grammy Nominee for "Best Flamenco."  Bebo Valdes, "Bebo" 2006 New York Times Top Ten.  Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Jim McNeely "Up From The Skies - the Music of Jimi Hendrix" 2007 Grammy Nominee for "Best Large Jazz Ensemble,"  Martirio, "Primavera en Nueva York" New York Times Critic's Pick.

Los Tres Go Platinum!

Los Tres' long-awaited new album, "Hagalo Usted Mismo,"  has reached platinum sales in Latin America in just two weeks following its September '06 release.  "Camino," the album's first single,  charted #1.   Produced by Clash  producer Joe Blaney and mastered at Arf! Mastering. 

Heartworn Highways CD Featured in Stereophile Magazine

"New York-based sound engineer Alan Silverman got obsessed by turning the original sound recordings of the documentary Heartworn Highways into an audio CD. The results, not surprisingly, are stunning."   The complete article by Robert Baird appears in the September '06 issue of Stereophile.

Bebo de Cuba Scores Again

Selected as album of the year by Ben Ratliff of the New York Times, then on to winning the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards, and now, a three-peat capturing the Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album at the 2006 US Grammy Awards. The stunning 2CD set was mastered for full dynamic range and fidelity by Alan Silverman at Arf! The success of this masterwork by Bebo Valdes and the prior international success of Bebo and Cigala's "Lagrimas Negras" proves that an album does not have to be over-compressed and over-bright to be a hit. Good music and good sound is a tasty combination that appeals to people of all demographics.

"Heartworn Highways" Restored, Remixed and Remastered at Arf!

Hacktone Records and Richard Foos' Shout Factory turned to engineer Alan Silverman at for the 30th Anniversary re-issue of Heartworn Highways featuring legendary artists Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell and David Allan Coe. The CD was sourced from location analog sound recordings made by a documentary film crew shooting in Nashville during the 1975-76 Christmas season. The performances were done in the artists' homes, as well as small clubs, and even a penitentiary. The honesty and natural sound of these early "un-plugged" performances has been brought to CD with great care and the best in analog equipment for a bigger-than-life effect. A must for fans of artists from this watershed time for music in the American Southwest.

Dave Davies' "God In My Brain" Mastered at Arf!

The first new studio track in years by Kinks guitar-god Dave Davies has been mastered by Alan Silverman for inclusion in "Kinked" a new compilation of tracks from Dave's solo career. The selections consist of the best of studio, live, and demo recordings made by Dave since 1996. All tracks have been remastered. Mr. Davies commented on the mastering: "I like the way it breathes, almost like the compressor/limiter holds it up in the air, like the 'old' days. Great work."

Andres Calamaro "El regresso" #1 In Latin America

The new live set recorded at Luna Park in Buenos Aires and mastered at Arf! has reached the #1 slot in album sales in Agentina and is climbing fast in Columbia and Spain. A great show with a string of hits from Andres and his excellent band.

Bebo de Cuba Takes Top Latin Jazz Grammy for 2005

Winner of Best Latin Jazz Album at the 6th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, this double CD set by the legendary Bebo Valdes was mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf!

Arf's Alan Silverman Records Baroque Orchestra For Disney's "Casanova"

Arf! Mastering's owner/engineer, Alan Silverman, was tapped by Disney's Buena Vista Pictures to record the orchestral score for "Casanova," a new film directed by Lasse Halstrom to be released nation-wide on Christmas Day 2005. The film is a live-action romantic comedy shot entirely on-location in Venice, Italy and stars Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons, and Lena Olin. Over 70 minutes of Baroque by composers such as Albinoni, Vivaldi, and Rameau were performed by a 45-piece orchestra of antique period instruments at NYC's Right Track Scoring Stage. "The period instruments were noisy and hard to keep in tune," commented Silverman, "but when they came together the sound was fantastic - they got soul!"

Arf! Digital Scores Four New Grammy Nominees In 2004

The 47th Grammy Awards ceremony brings four new titles to the roster of Grammy nominated albums mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf! Digital. There have been twenty-one Grammy recognized projects mastered by Alan since the company's founding in 1997.

New Chaka Khan CD Mastered at Arf! Digital

Chaka Khan's new release, "ClassiKhan" is a multi-continent production featuring some of the best musicians in New York, Los Angeles and London in support of awesome vocal performances by Chaka. Music director Eve Nelson and mixer Cynthia Daniels chose Arf! Digital for mastering. Said Eve after hearing her ref "Amazing top and bottom, a phenomenal job!"

Lagrimas Negras Sweeps Top Grammy Nominations

Lagrimas Negras could be considered the "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" of the Latin music world featuring old-timers and young-timers performing traditional music - in this case, passionate, romantic Flamenco. The double-platinum album by Bebo Valdes and El Cigala, mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf! Digital, has been nominated for Record of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Engineered Record and Best Traditional Record in the 2004 Latin Grammies. Alan was also individually nominated in the Album Of The Year category.

The Kinks' Complete RCA and Arista Catalog Remastered for Hybrid SA-CD at Arf! Digital

Alan Silverman has completed remastering 11 of the greatest albums in Rock history. This collection of titles, beginning with The Kinks' masterpiece of 1971, "Muswell Hillbillies," takes its place along side SACD re-issues of The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd as some of the best music of the British Invasion. The Kinks hybrid SACDs will play on all CD players as well as high-resolution SACD players, and will enable listeners to hear these albums closer to the way the artists heard them in the studio. The remasters have received high praise from Stereophile and Home Theater Magazine.

New Norah Jones EP mastered at Arf! Digital

Emmy Nomination - American Roots Music for "outstanding achievement in music and sound."

USA Today "Top Pick Of The Year"

New York Times "Top Ten Classical Recordings of 2002"

Top-Selling Broadway Cast Recording of 2002

Reprinted from Pro Sound News, May 2001

Arf! Masters "The Producers" In 5.1

New York - When the producers of "The Producers", Mel Brooks' smash hit new Broadway musical comedy, decided to release the show's original cast recording in 5.1 surround, they turned to NYC's Arf! Digital, an audiophile mastering facility with a string of Grammy nominated cast recordings, such as "Kiss Me Kate" and "The Music Man" on its credit list. "The score really jumps out at you in 5.1," says mastering engineer Alan Silverman, "you can close your eyes and believe you're sitting fourth row center, with the orchestra in the pit and the cast across the stage. The sense of depth and realism is incredible." Arf! utilized the new six-channel EQ and six-channel compressor/ limiter from Z-Systems, as well as Sony's new 777 sampling reverb for the project. "I found that this spectacular hardware enabled me to use new mastering techniques to enhance the illusion of a live performance. The mix had been done in surround format to separate instrumental and vocal 5.1 stems. By using subtly different treatments for the band and the vocals I was able to complete a very convincing live feel." adds Silverman. The recording, the first ever Broadway cast recording to be done in 5.1, will be released by Sony Classical.