Named after the Japanese word for chameleon, Susan Wong’s twelfth album Kamereon highlights the Hong Kong-born singer’s unerring ability to bring a fresh, new complexion to a wide range of songs taken from different musical genres.
Aided by her producer, the Osaka-born saxophonist Hisatsugu Suzuki, Wong has created a stylish jazz album brimming with her trademark soulful vocals drizzled over syncopated grooves. Kamereon is a beautifully-crafted blend of covers and original compositions, showcasing Wong's unique ability to transform any song into something unmistakably her own.
The technical aspects of Kamereon are equally impressive. The album is available in various high-quality formats–including 180-gram vinyl, hybrid multi-channel SACD, and MQA-CD–each offering listeners a rich, immersive audio experience. These formats highlight the album's exquisite sound engineering, enhancing the listening experience to a new level.
We at IAA are thrilled to offer the album as an exclusive immersive digital download through our online shop, with high-resolution 96-khz/24-bit 5.1 FLAC files as well as Dolby TrueHD/Atmos MKVs and Auro-3D WAVs. The immersive mixes were created by Andrés Mayo and Martín Muscatello.
Immersive streaming is certainly a great way to audition the Atmos mix prior to purchase, but the Dolby TrueHD/Atmos MKV files from IAA’s shop provide an infinitely more rewarding experience for audiophiles. With lossless Dolby TrueHD, the detail and clarity heard in the studio is much better preserved.
“Sukiyaki” sets the template for the 5.1 surround presentation, with the instruments spread wide across the multichannel soundstage. The front speakers are utilized almost exclusively for the drum kit, while additional elements such as piano or bass usually appear from behind the listener. Susan Wong’s vocals are completely isolated in the center channel, along with the upright bass.
As one might expect, the Dolby Atmos mix contributes an additional sense of space and overall envelopment to the proceedings. The soundstage is mostly retained, but the horn parts in the rear surrounds are lifted up into the height array.
Sound quality is out-of-this-world good. Each instrument is equalized to perfection: The high-end is crisp without any stridency, while the lows are powerful but not muddy–and the dynamic range has not been compressed in any way. There are some magical moments where it really sounds like the trio is performing live in your listening room.
Overall, Kamereon is more than just a musical offering; it is a narrative woven through melodies and lyrics that captures the essence of human emotion. Susan Wong has delivered an album that resonates with warmth and genuine artistry, making Kamereon a must-listen for anyone who appreciates fine musical craftsmanship and immersive audio.
Purchase Kamereon in the IAA Shop!
