Patricia Barber – Clique!

Released in 2021 by Impex Records, Clique! presents Patricia Barber in a setting that feels both sophisticated and remarkably relaxed. The album revisits a selection of standards, but these performances rarely feel like exercises in looking back. Barber and her longtime trio approach the material with the confidence of musicians who know one another deeply, leaving plenty of room for interaction, subtle changes in phrasing and spontaneous musical responses.

The album was recorded in January 2019 at Chicago Recording Company’s Studio 5 by Jim Anderson, with Patricia Barber and Anderson producing. The original recording was made in DXD at 32-bit/352.8 kHz, using a Horus A/D converter with Merging +Clock U and Pyramix. The stereo and 5.1 mixes were later created at Skywalker Sound, with Bob Ludwig handling the DXD mastering.

What makes Clique! particularly interesting for audiophiles is that the same high-resolution source is available in several forms: DXD, Stereo DSD512, and Hybrid SACD with both 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround layers. Each format offers a slightly different way of experiencing the same recording.

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TRACK LIST

Sound Quality

The first impression of Clique! is its openness. Barber’s voice and piano have a natural presence, while Patrick Mulcahy’s acoustic bass provides a deep, textured foundation. Jon Deitemyer’s drums add energy without crowding the presentation.

The midrange is especially convincing. Barber’s voice retains body and subtle texture, while the piano sounds like a physical instrument rather than a polished studio reproduction. The bass has enough resonance to follow individual notes, not simply low-frequency weight.

High frequencies are clean and extended, but detail does not come from excessive brightness. Instead, the clarity comes from the separation between instruments and the quiet space around them.

Because the album was recorded natively in DXD, the DSD512 version should be understood as a later conversion from the DXD edit master rather than a DSD-native recording. (nativedsd.com)

Audiophile Listening Experience

The real pleasure of Clique! comes from hearing the musicians respond to one another. Barber, Mulcahy and Deitemyer do not sound like separate performers assembled around a vocal track; they sound like a small group listening and reacting in real time.

In Stereo 2.0, Barber remains a natural focal point while piano, bass and drums create a convincing space around her. The presentation is intimate without feeling artificially close.

The 5.1 SACD mix offers a different experience, placing the listener more deeply inside the musical environment rather than simply widening the stereo image. (impexrecords.com)

The DSD512 version remains focused on stereo listening, with excellent retrieval of vocal nuance, instrumental texture and low-level detail.

Reference Tracks

This Town — A natural introduction to the album. Listen to Barber’s vocal texture and the relationship between piano, bass and drums.

Trouble Is a Man — A quieter performance that reveals vocal nuance, low-level detail and the natural space surrounding the musicians.

Mashup — One of the best tracks for hearing the interaction between the trio. Listen to separation, dynamics and the changing density of the arrangement.

Samba de Uma Nota Só / One Note Samba — Excellent for evaluating timing, bass definition and rhythmic cohesion.

The In Crowd — A strong test of vocal presence and spatial organization as the arrangement becomes more active.

Straight, No Chaser — Focuses attention on Barber’s piano and the rhythm section, making it useful for transient attack and instrumental texture.

Best Edition / Mastering

The DXD edition represents the original recording format: 32-bit/352.8 kHz DXD, mixed at Skywalker Sound. It is the most direct choice for listeners who prefer high-resolution PCM. (nativedsd.com)

The DSD512 edition was converted from the DXD edit master and provides an exceptionally high-resolution stereo option for DSD-capable systems. (nativedsd.com)

The Hybrid SACD is the most versatile physical edition, combining a conventional CD layer with SACD 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround. The 5.1 mix gives the album a more immersive character and is particularly interesting for a properly configured multichannel system. (impexrecords.com)

Audiophile Verdict

Clique! succeeds because its technical quality never gets in the way of the music.

The DXD recording provides a remarkably clean foundation, DSD512 offers a highly detailed stereo presentation, while the SACD adds the choice of both 2.0 and 5.1 listening. Rather than simply choosing a format based on resolution, the better approach is to consider the playback system and whether stereo or multichannel listening is the priority.

But the most important quality remains the chemistry between the musicians. Barber’s voice feels intimate without being artificially pushed forward, her piano has weight and nuance, and the bass and drums retain a convincing physical presence.

On a revealing system, small details become part of the musical experience—the movement of a piano phrase, the texture of a bass string or the decay of a cymbal.

Whether heard in DXD, DSD512 or 2.0/5.1 SACD, Clique! remains a beautifully recorded jazz album where high-resolution sound and genuine musical intimacy work together naturally.