| Jazz |
When High Fidelity Turns Hostile: The Misguided Experiment of Ola Onabulé
I settle in, headphones on, ready to savor a new session of Ola Onabulé. Only three notes in, and yet my ears flinch at an unexpected discomfort. Known for his brilliant collaborations with the WDR Big Band, Onabulé displays undeniable virtuosity here, but the sound itself seems to fight against the artist. Even forewarned, I can’t help but wonder: what is a singer of this caliber doing in such a sonic experiment?
The recording process chosen is not unprecedented, yet it strays radically from classic jazz studio methods. Inspired by classical recording techniques, the project aimed for direct, untreated capture in Dolby Atmos, using DXD and DSD formats to achieve the highest possible resolution. The musicians play without amplification, without headphones, in a unique acoustic space, fostering natural interaction and balance. Jos Boerland, a renowned Dutch sound engineer specializing in high-resolution immersive audio, oversaw the sessions.
“Basically, we’re playing without a safety net,” explains George Hazelrigg. “No editing, no sound engineering, nobody plugged into anything. Everything is acoustic, drums, vocals, bass, everything. The recording is really…”
The paradox is cruel: the musicianship and vocals are exceptional, yet the chosen technique sabotages the experience. Onabulé’s magnificent voice and the ensemble’s precision are trapped in a sonic space that exhausts the listener. The tracks, though well chosen, lose all clarity and nuance. Even the microphone choices seem questionable, suggesting that even a mediocre sound engineer could have produced a far more enjoyable recording.
If you want to hear Ola Onabulé in conditions that respect his voice, listen HERE
For the Hazelrigg Brothers, their sound comes alive HERE
None of this resembles the current recording, which sought singularity but ultimately undermined the project. In an era when a digital mixing console under $4,000 can deliver studio-grade quality, this album feels almost anachronistic. It serves neither the works nor the artists. The best way to appreciate their talent remains, without a doubt, to experience them live.
Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 10th 2025
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Musicians:
Ola Onabulé: Vocals
George Hazelrigg: Piano
Geoff Hazelrigg: Bass
Thomas Käfel: Drums
Track Listing:
1. Patience Endures – 5:28
2. Alive Tonight – 5:33
3. The Girl That She Was – 4:57
4. The Voodoo – 4:53
5. Condition Of The Heart – 6:29
6. Dark Matter – 4:08
7. It’s The Peace That Deafens – 5:52 8. It’s Never Over – 6:13
All compositions by Ola Onabulé except “Condition Of The Heart” composed by Prince.