Rhino’s thus far stellar “Quadio” series of reissues has several new titles out including two fascinating releases from the universes of jazz and experimental post-psychedelic synthesizer-driven pop: The Modern Jazz Quartet and Moog (synthesizer) pioneers, Beaver & Krause.
For those unfamiliar with Rhino’s “Quadio” series, it’s part of the label’s deep dive into the Warner Music archives—specifically the quadraphonic mixes from the 1970s. Back then, Warner invested heavily in four-channel sound, but the format flopped commercially thanks to a mess of competing vinyl and 8-track formats, none of which worked particularly well or consistently.
Nonetheless, many of the artists took the format seriously and embraced the platform for often unique approaches to their albums back in the day. Many Quad recordings sound quite remarkable. And in case you haven’t connected these dots: Quad is the grand-daddy to modern 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. So it is great that they are finally seeing the light of day, repurposed to for easy playback via a disc format which is well established. Most anyone with a basic 5.1 surround home theater system and a Blu-ray Disc player can enjoy these new Quadio titles.
Quadio releases are all transferred from original half-inch four-channel masters at 192 kHz, 24-bit resolution. Initially available at rhino.com, each title sells for about $24.98. You can find past Quadio releases on Amazon these days.
The Modern Jazz Quartet, Blues On Bach
Whether you’re a fan of The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) or not is a matter of taste. And whether their 1974 album Blues On Bach qualifies as “good” jazz—or even as a proper showcase of the group’s refined chamber style—is entirely up to you.
What’s undeniable, though, is that this is a beautifully recorded album, capturing the quartet in an intimate studio setting that places the listener squarely in their sonic orbit. By 1974, the fusion of jazz and classical wasn’t exactly groundbreaking, but Blues On Bach stands out as a thoughtful and immersive interpretation—and it feels tailor-made for Quad. This one could absolutely double as a demo disc.
Listen for the delicate bells in “Blues in A Minor” and how the bass subtly creeps in from behind. Even a melody as overplayed as “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”—here retitled “Precious Joy”—feels fresh again thanks to the swirl of sleigh bells, harpsichord, and vibes dancing through the mix. The piano and cymbal intro on “Blues In C Minor” is simply hypnotic.
I recently picked up the LP version, and honestly, it just sits there—pleasant, but flat. In Quad? Blues On Bach springs to life.
Where to buy: $24.98 at Rhino Records
Beaver & Krause, All Good Men / Gandharva
Note: this Quadio release features two albums on one disc!
Synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog’s original sales reps, Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause, didn’t just sell gear—they helped shape the sound of electronic music in the late 1960s and early ’70s. As artists, they released several forward-thinking albums, and these previously unreleased Quad mixes of their second and third records are truly fascinating. The music is anything but conventional—think Van Dyke Parks meets sci-fi radio drama. Expect quirky voiceovers, psychedelic effects, and even an early example of sampling and looping, as heard in the rhythm built from a vocal phrase in “Legend Days Are Over.” In four channels, these tracks come to life in unexpected ways.
Of the two albums, Gandharva pushes further into experimental territory—and it’s trippy fun. “Saga of the Blue Beaver” spreads drums and percussion across all four speakers. “Walkin’” haunts with echo-drenched vocals and ambient piano. “By Your Grace” pairs saxophone with pipe organ in a strange but compelling combo. And “Short Film for David” drifts along with a lone electric guitar noodling through deep synth swells, until the sax, bass, and harp re-emerge to fill the space.
Beaver and Krause’s albums are worth checking out on Quadio, especially for fans of experimental musics!
Where to buy: $24.98 at Rhino Records
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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