Sasha Mashin ‎– Happy Run

asha Mashin's new and first Italian album, titled "Happy Run," features two extraordinary artists, saxophonist Rosario Giuliani and double bassist Makar Novikov.

In 2005 Sasha Mashin participated in the Open World Program USA educational program in New York and played with such legends as Clark Terry, Kenny Barron and Jimmy Heath at the Blue Note Jazz Club. Since 2008 she has been traveling around the world with the Isfar Sarabski band.

Sasha Mashin has performed with a long list of musicians such as Benny Golson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Kenny Barron, Johnny Griffin, Lew Tabackin, James Spaulding, Eddy Henderson, Steve Slagle, Gary Smulyan, Larry Schneider, Mark Turner, Donny McCaslin, Rosario Giuliani, Alex Sipiagin, Isfar Sarabski, Dhafer Youssef and many others. Sasha collaborates in Italy with Alex Sipiagin, Isfar Sarabski, Rosario Giuliani, Luca Mannutza, Antonio Farao, Dado Moroni, Rocco Zifarelli.

Album: Sasha Mashin ‎- Happy Run
Label: Birdbox Records ‎– BBR2023SM01RMT
Format: Reel Tape, 15 ips, ¼", 2-Track, Stereo, 10.5" NAB Reel, Numbered, CCIR OR NAB Eq.
Country: Italy
Released: 23 June 2023
Genre: Jazz
Style: Contemporary Jazz

Tracklist: 

1    Country Of Obscurantism    09:11
2    Yellow Blues    08:29
3    Hey It's Spring    06:44
4    Darn That Dream    06:06
5    Suite Et Poursuite    16:17

Musicians:

Sasha Mashin - drums
Rosario Giuliani - alto sax
Makar Novikov - double bass

Produced by Sasha Mashin - SMASHIN PRODUCTION
Executive Producer: Lorenzo Vella - BIRDBOX RECORDS
Recorded at Saint Louis College of Music (Roma)
Recording/mixing engineer: Sasha Mashin
Mastering engineer: Lorenzo Vella

The idea behind the music lab was to break down the barrier between the audience and the stage, promoting informal communication, concerts, and the exchange of ideas. In a short time, the lab became a regular appointment for listening to great music and a meeting place for creatives who shared ideas and started new projects. Similarly, the amateur sporting event became popular, with many of the same participants as the "Happy Lab."

The rules were simple: as long as you run, you could learn whatever you wanted, not only from the creator of the event, Mashin himself but also from all the musicians or people involved in the 10-kilometre run, who came from different professional backgrounds. The outbreak of war profoundly changed dynamics, not only on an international scale but also, above all, in the lives of individuals. Sasha Mashin continued to "run," not only metaphorically. Having arrived in Italy as a political refugee, he found new friends, and exceptional musicians who welcomed him both as a person and as an artist. Today, the Russian drummer feels he can call Rome his "home" and his newfound and old friends "his family."

"I have the feeling of having finally finished my run," explains Sasha Mashin in the liner notes of his album, "for the first time in a long time, I feel truly happy. While the idea of ​​emigration once filled me with existential terror, I don't even feel like I've moved away from home. Italians are so open, friendly, and supportive that it seems to me that I have completed a marathon and reached the finish line. I'm home." The songs on the album "Happy Run" are composed by Sasha Mashin himself. "Country of Obscurantism" suggests that it doesn't necessarily have to be beautiful, which helps the artist share it with a lighter heart. "I promise I will continue with my attempts and maybe one day I will write something more beautiful with a more joyful undertone." The album includes the beautiful composition "Yellow Blues" by Makar Novikov, the magnificent three-part "Suite et Poursuite" by Rosario Giuliani, the ballad "Darn That Dream" by Jimmy Van Heusen, and even a piece from "The Rite of Spring" by the artist's most beloved composer, Igor Stravinsky ("Introduction, Les Augures printaniers"), combined with Victor Lewis' composition "Hey, It's Me You Are Talkin' To" (music that the artist is convinced was inspired by Stravinsky himself). "One of the most beautiful experiences related to running," says Sasha, "is the ability to think and plan while running. In these moments, the brain's chemistry changes significantly, producing more serotonin and dopamine, and you can think more clearly and precisely. Through regular running, I have understood one important thing: you cannot escape from yourself. But you can escape from darkness, both inside and outside of you. Running is a smart sport. Run happy!"

"Happy Run" is an album that not only talks about music but also tells a story. It is a metaphorical "run" that allowed the artist to move away from the darkness of a difficult past and brought him to Italy for a new life, in his new home! 

Analogue reel tape offers the optimal opportunity to produce high-definition masters with exceptional sound. They were used to record famous albums that have made history in the world of discography, as this type of technology introduces artefacts and distortions that are pleasant and enhance the music. A professional analogue tape recording adds just the right amount of punch, warmth, blur, and rounding. 

With reel-to-reel tape, the sound range and the sense of width and depth of the soundstage are different. The noise is barely audible unless you try to listen to it. The realistic sound provides very realistic dynamics. 

It's a sound you can hold in your hand but only with tapes copied directly from the original master tapes.

Numbered Reference Master Tape Copy:  in an elegant luxury box with a Velcro closure with CD and booklet. Inside our Luxury Box you will find: our LPR90 RTM tape with metal NAB flange and convenient tape retainer to prevent the tape from unwinding from the reel. certificate of authenticity album cover in 25x25 format with photographic inserts, on premium Fedrigoni - Splendorgel Extra White (FSC) paper 160 gsm weight recording credits cd digipack series with booklet.

The Reel Tape Package: 
Tracks: 2 stereo - 1⁄4 inch
Tape Speeds: 38,1 cm/s
Equalization:  CCIR (NABon request)
Tape Model: LPR90 Long-Play Studio Tape ¼" 1100m - RecordingTheMasters
Reference level: 320 nWb/m

Reference Master Tape Copy:  For these exclusive tape copies, Lorenzo Vella personally crafts the analogue master, meticulously transferring it from an AMPEX ATR102 1/2" to a pristine STUDER A80 1/4". The resulting quarter-inch tape, housed in a precious aluminium reel, is then elegantly packaged in a bespoke luxury box. We exclusively use premium RecordingTheMasters tapes.

Rigorous quality control is ensured using Sony AR5003V, Otari MX55, and Telefunken M15A tape recorders. Each handcrafted box includes a professional case, personalized artwork, a heartfelt thank you letter, a warranty certificate, and a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing a purely analogue creation. Every set is uniquely hand-numbered.

Sasha Mashin ‎– Happy Run - Reference Master Tape Copy - Made in Italy