Quadio Bundle #6 – Rhino Entertainment

This Quadio bundle is a must-have for rock fans!

Rhino Entertainment Group – Quadio Bundle # 6 ****1/2:

Rhino Entertainment Group has released the 6th bundle of quadrophonic mixes for vintage music. The latest “bundle” consists of immersive 24/192kHz 4.0 and re-mastered stereo mixes of the original 70’s studio recordings from The Doobie Brothers, Foghat, The J. Geils Band  and Jefferson Starship. Previous releases include Randy Newman, Chicago, Aretha Franklin, War, Average White Band and others. These Blu-rays utilized the original four-channel mixes, and consistently elevate these rock albums. 

The Doobie Brothers – Toulouse Street – Warner Records (1972)/Rhino Entertainment Group BA2 2634 60349780740 (2024) 4.0 Quadio Blu-ray + Stereo, 35:33 ****1/2:

(Tom Johnston – guitars, vocals; Pat Simmons – guitars, vocals, banjo, recorder; Tiran Porter – bass, vocals; John “Little John” Hartman – drums, percussion; Michael Hossack – drums, steel drum; Bill Payne – piano, organ; Dave Shogren – bass, guitar and others)

Toulouse Street represented the commercial breakthrough for The Doobie Brothers. Their good-time rock and roll had great arrangements and vocals. As you listen to the 4.0 mix, it is like hearing it for the first time. The full sound creates a vibrant aural landscape. On “Listen To the Music”, the bass is directed to rear right and acoustic guitar to the rear left. Voice and drums are centered in front. Piano and bass occupy one surround side while the piano and bass are on the opposite side. The four-way sound is prominent, even on acoustic numbers like the title track. Each cut is a revelation like the rear percussion on “Cotton Mouth”, and the spirited “Jesus Is Just Alright” projects vocals, bass and organ to the back as well. Folk, country or blues all sound better. 

TrackList (24/192 kHz Quadio + Stereo): Listen To The Music; Rockin’ Down The Highway; Mamaloi; Toulouse Street; Cotton Mouth; Don’t Start Me To Talkin’; Jesus Is Just Alright’; White Sun; Disciple; Snake Man

The J. Geils Band – Bloodshot – Atlantic Records (1973)/Rhino Entertainment Group BA2 7260 603497820726 (2024) 4.0 Quadio Blu-ray + Stereo, 36:45 *****:

(Stephen Jo Bladd – percussion, vocals; J. Geils – guitars; Magic Dick – harmonica; Seth Justman – keyboards, vocals; Peter Wolf – vocals; Daniel Klein – bass)

Quad audio is a significant enhancement to The J Geils Band Bloodshot album. The mix captures the raw power of this rock ’n’ soul band, but creates additional texture and cleaner acoustics. Stand out tracks include the cover of “(Ain’t Nothin’ But A) House Party)” where front speakers deliver lead guitar and drums, while the rear handle all vocals and harmonica. The separation of instruments is effective on the doo wop-inspired “Make Up Your Mind”. The various blues/r & b numbers (“Struttin’ With My Baby”, “Southside Shuffle” and “Start All Over”) have a smoother resonance, but still maintain that “live” bar edge. A certain highlight is the stride-infused “Don’t Try To Hide It” with prominent echo on lead vocals and funky piano riffs. The finale “Give It To Me” is punctuated like reggae with vocal call and response, evocative organ (with turned down volume) and one of Geils’ explosive searing guitar solos. 

TrackList (24/192 kHz Quadio + Stereo): (Ain’t Nothin’ But A) House Party; Make Up Your Mind; Back To Get Ya; Struttin’ With My Baby; Don’t Try To Hide It; Southside Shuffle; Hold Your Loving; Start All Over Again; Give It To Me

Foghat – Energized – Bearsville Records (1974)/Rhino Entertainment Group BA2 70883 603497820719 (2024) 4.0 Quadio Blu-ray + Stereo, 39:30 ****:

(Dave Peverett – guitar, vocals; Rod Price – guitar, slide guitar, dobro, vocals; Tony Stevens – bass, vocals; Roger Earl – drums, vocals)

Foghat’s Energized epitomizes 1970’s hard rock aesthetics with a relentless supply of electric guitar (including slide), bass, drums and vocals. On this classic album, the increased resolution brings a refined, more pristine quality to the sound. Foghat (with three former Savoy Brown members) simple cut loose on every track. There is some unique speaker direction, like lead vocal on rear left and nasty guitar on rear right. Subtleties like organ and gospel back up vocals give “Step Outside” a  distinct feel. Slide guitar (right rear) on “Wild Cherry’ produces a “live” aesthetic. Foghat likes to rip it up on cuts like”Golden Arrow”, “Home In My Hand” and “Fly By Night”. An ambitious version of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be The Day” is cool and raucous, but loses some of the anguished narrative. However, “Nothin’ I Won’t Do” is hard-driving blues rock with an hypnotic groove. The rear channels on this mix are less prominent, but it is a significant audio upgrade.

TrackList (24/192 kHz Quadio Blu-ray + Stereo): Wild Cherry: Step Outside; Home In My Hand; Nothin’ I Won’t Do; That’ll Be The Day; Golden Arrow; Fly By Night; Honey Hush

Jefferson Starship – Dragon Fly – Grunt Records/RCA (1974)/ Rhino Entertainment Group  BA2 585299 603497820733 (2024) 4.0 Quadio Blu-ray + Stereo, 42:25

(Grace Slick – piano, vocals; Paul Kantner – guitars, vocals; David Frieberg – keyboards, vocals; Papa John Creach – electric violin; Craig Chaquico – guitars; Pete Sears – bass, piano, harpsichord, vocals; John Barbata – drums, percussion; Marty Balin – vocals)

Jefferson Starship’s 1974 debut (although many believe that Blows Against The Empire was the unofficial one) is re-mixed with substantial four-channel detail. The group has ditched the airy psychedelic template and replaced it with muscular rock. “Ride The Tiger” kicks off the rock fest with front guitar, rear bass/electric violin and fluid vocals (that move around simultaneously). This vocal mix can be found on “That’s For Sure”. The closest track to vintage Airplane is “Be Young You” with front piano and rear violin intermingled with Slick’s forceful vocals and imagery. Marty Balin makes a huge contribution with “Caroline”. This sounds like trademark early Starship with lyrical guitars and dulcet vocals. The unsung hero is Papa John Creach and his unique violin shading, especially on “All Fly Away”. The centerpiece of the album is “Hyperdrive” with features harpsichord, piano and distorted guitar. This is a multi-faceted musical statement with nimble tempo breaks and a classical interlude leading into a magnetic final coda.   

TrackList (24/192 kHz Quadio + Stereo): Ride The Tiger; That’s For Sure; Be Young You; Caroline; Devils Den; Come To Life; All Fly Away; Hyperdrive.

This Quad bundle (they are also available individually) is a worthwhile acquisition for rock fans. The 4.0 surround and stereo mixes are transferred from the original half-inch, four-channel masters to 24/192 kHz resolution. 

Highly recommended!

—Robbie Gerson

Tracklist Overview

Foghat – Energized

1. Honey Hush
2. Step Outside
3. Golden Arrow
4. Home In My Hand
5. Wild Cherry
6. That’ll Be The Day
7. Fly By Night
8. Nothin’ I Won’t Do

Jefferson Starship – Dragonfly

1. Ride The Tiger
2. That’s For Sure
3. Be Young You
4. Caroline
5. Devils Den
6. Come To Life
7. All Fly Away
8. Hyperdrive

J. Geils Band – Bloodshot

1. (Ain’t Nothin’ But A) House Party
2. Make Up Your Mind
3. Back To Get Ya
4. Struttin’ With My Baby
5. Don’t Try To Hide It
6. Southside Shuffle
7. Hold Your Loving
8. Start All Over Again
9. Give It To Me

Doobie Brothers – Toulouse Street

1. Listen To The Music
2. Rockin’ Down The Highway
3. Mamaloi
4. Toulouse Street
5. Cotton Mouth
6. Don’t Start Me To Talkin’
7. Jesus Is Just Alright
8. White Sun
9. Disciple
10. Snake Man