Linn Records have some artists that dominate the disc releases. This applies mainly to the genre classic, but perhaps to an even greater degree in jazz. Therefore, it is interesting and exciting when the staff expanded with new artists. And Judith Owen is a new artist for Linn Records.

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Originally written in 2007 - translated to English in 2013

She is placed in the category Jazz at Linn Records, although this perhaps mostly testify that there are only three main categories in this label. For what this Welsh girl is singing is not at all jazz. But none the less it is shapely music, which for most tracks is concerned only grows every listening.

The first song that stuck to the cortex and appears in the most unexpected situations, Nicholas Drake, perhaps one of the most distinctively British of all the songs on the disc, along with the title track Happy this way.

The track that has most affinity with jazz, is like Cool Life. A song where Ian Shaw is side-vocalist alongside Judith Owen. Ian Shaw has also made a recording of songs by Joni Mitchell on Linn Records, a record we have reviewed here.

When this SACD was presented at Linn Records` pages, I was initially a little worried. This is a label that has been a faithful provider of excellent recordings in hybrid SACD multichannel and stereo layer. This time it said nothing about multi channel section, and at the moment (in 2007) it is still the situation. Therefore, relief and great joy rised when I got confirmed that this release also has a multi-channel track, and even of the more interesting kind.

This record company specializes in finding a multi-channel approach specifically tailored to the release, and this is the case this time too. In addition to that, the sound quality on most tracks are of high grade, it is a multi-channel mix of a more active nature than what we find in some of the other recordings. It brings the listener far forward in the saddle, and combined with a great precision in sound, some tracs apear almost a little spooky.

All in all, a recording from Linn Records that can be highly recommended, and which also extends the range of repertoire for this label. Perhaps the  release also can be seen as a bridge between its two main stalls - Jazz and Scottish, despite the fact that the girl comes from Wales?