Larry Chernicoff’s multi-channel SACD, October, won the top prize - ‘Best Made for Surround Title’ - at the third annual Surround Music Awards (SMAs).
The winners were announced at a star-studded event that took place Hollywood, CA. The award was presented to Larry by rock legend Peter Frampton, in a ceremony that also honored surround releases by the Rolling Stones, Herbie Hancock, Beck, Peter Frampton, and other artists representing wide range of styles.
The winners were selected by a panel of 75 expert judges that include personnel from Sound & Vision, Pro Sound News, Widescreen Review, Surround Professional, NARAS, USA Today, Highfidelityreview.com, and Los Angeles-based radio station KCRW.
Best Made for Surround Title is awarded to the most outstanding recording created from its inception with surround sound technology in mind. The previous year’s winner in this category was Steely Dan’s ‘Everything Must Go.’
October is currently out of print, but is available for download on iTunes and many other download sites.
"You sit, you listen, and eventually you think: how did he ever come up with that? October left me with a sense that I had just listened to something truly new and distinct...a glorious experience…a musical fusion of global interest. I'll dig October for the rest of my life, thanks."
"Larry Chernicoff, if I can say this, is a silent whirlwind. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Solid, intelligent, and almost entirely without capacity for stagnation, the guy is a creative force. Catch Larry's music, really. It's new. I'm serious. Larry's work is light, but substantial, and the music floats." -- The Artful Mind
"Larry Chernicoff is making quiet history with his integration of
chamber music and jazz improvisation." -- Public Radio, Albany, NY
"Warm and serene, October combines the acoustic expressions of jazz and
classical music with elements of what is often referred to as "world
music". Diverse and keen on
melody, … it rises into a shimmering chain of ideas and
sounds, and snaps and taps itself into an enjoyable swing. Chernicoff's distinctive musical approach it
blossoms and sustains itself with charm and grace … a sophisticated,
subtle offering. "-- All About Jazz
"There are elements of world music, classical chamber music, and
genre-bending improvisation here ... he has his own individual style, and
it's a thorough delight. The music alternates jazzy improv with
quieter passages, sometimes colored exotically with Tibetan chimes,
gongs and bowed cymbals. This SACD just won an award for "Best Made for
Surround" at the annual Surround Music Awards in Hollywood, and
certainly deserves it" (Disc Of The Month ***** Five Stars) -- Audiophile Audition
"In its dynamic twists and turns, with surprises around every musical
corner, Larry Chernicoff's 10-piece group, the Miniature Orchestra, serves ... shimmering, colorful renditions of … music
that boasts the dynamism of jazz and the dimensionality and proportions
of classical music. October has a fresh, glistening organic quality.
The recording has a terrific, warm live sound …. the depth and vibrancy of
the instruments are remarkable." -- Weekend
"October is a unique conception, which, although it has much in common
with classical chamber music, has too many elements of improvisation
and world rhythms and tonal colors to allow it to be classed with
whatever else you might be listening to these days." -- Creative Music
Newsletter
LISTENER REVIEW
Performance: 4 1/2 stars Sonics: 5 stars
"A sublime performance of chamber jazz/classical music that draws the listener
into the band's hypnotic vibe. Chernicoff and his cohorts create a totally unique fabric of sound that emerges as
one unified composition. This recording won the "Best Made for Surround
Title" award at the 2004 Surround Music Awards, and it's not hard to hear
why. The sumptuous mix features a huge soundstage, capturing instruments in
space as well as any I've heard. The musical textures
are stark and beautiful, involving and interesting. I really enjoyed
the liner notes, where Chernicoff explains the genesis and development of each
song -a nice feature. Highly recommended.