he album “No Parlez” is the first solo album by English artist Paul Young, released in 1983. It was a resounding success, reaching number one in the UK Albums Chart for five non-consecutive weeks and remaining in the UK Top 100 for 119 weeks.
It includes the singles “Come Back And Stay”, “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” and “Love of the Common People”.
To celebrate the album’s 40th anniversary, a special reissue has been announced, with a Blu-Ray audio edition offering an enriched listening experience, featuring the Master CD versions, the stereo remix, the 5.1 remix, the Dolby Atmos remix, and most exceptionally, the vinyl master!

How exceptional is this edition? That’s what we’re going to find out in this review.

For this review, you will find 7 versions tested: Blu-ray with Stereo remix, 5.1 remix, Dolby Atmos remix, CD master and vinyl master, Amazon UltraHD , CD

Below you will find the description of the different editions, as well as the measurements of each edition in the following chapters.
The synthesis of the review and the samples are available here

The album is composed of 14 tracks:

1. Come Back And Stay*
2. Love Will Tear Us Apart
3. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)
4. Ku Ku Kurama
5. No Parlez
6. Love Of The Common People*
7. Oh Women
8. Iron Out The Rough Spots*
9. Broken Man
10. Tender Trap
11. Sex*
12. Behind Your Smile***
13. I’ve Been Lonely For So Long**
14. Yours**

* Extended version on the CD, ** Only on remix version, *** non present on vinyl Master

Summary, scoring and Samples

Ed 1: Blu-ray Stereo Remix – 2024

Presentation

This is the Blu-ray Stereo Remix presented in 24 bits 192 kHz (ref:DEMBD002). The SDE Surround Serie offers this album as a limited edition blu-ray with the new stereo, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos mixes.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the blu-ray stereo remix version shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR12.

The spectrogram of the blur-ray stereo remix shows that the signal goes beyond 24 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is signal above this frequency (white arrow), this is due to the 192 kHz sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

This remixed version is balanced and very precise compared to the original versions, so if you’re looking for precision and sound balance in stereo, this is the version to choose. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the original sound, the vinyl master version is the most pleasant to listen to.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 2: Blu-ray 5.1 Remix – 2024

Presentation

This is the Blu-ray 5.1 Remix presented in 24 bits 48 kHz encoded in DTS HD Master Audio (lossless) (ref:DEMBD002)

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR12

The waveform of the blu-ray 5.1 version shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR12.

The spectrogram of the 5.1 track is limited to 24kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). This limitation is due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

The 5.1 mix is a great success, enhancing the spatial rendering of the stereo version. We find the dynamics and finesse of the stereo versions, but with a beautiful spatialization. It doesn’t match the spatialization of the Dolby Atmos version, but if you have a 5.1 system, you’ll appreciate this new mix.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●o (3.7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 5.1 16 bits 48 kHz:

The sample is in 5.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and Save Audio As and play it with an external player.

Ed 3: Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2024

Presentation

This is the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos Remix presented in Dolby Digital TrueHD (lossless format) (ref:DEMBD002)

Below the spatialization for all tracks. Click on the images to zoom in.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the blu-ray Atmos version downmixed in 2.0 shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR13.

The spectrogram of the Dolby Atmos track downmixed in stereo is limited to 24kHz (yellow arrow) with no signal above (white arrow). This limitation is due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

A very fine Dolby Atmos mix on this album, making good use of the music in space, while maintaining the coherence of the songs. On “Come Back And Stay”: Beautiful use of the Dolby Atmos mix, with a multi-channel distribution of the backing vocals and music, accompanied by music movements enhancing the 3D relief. On “Love Will Tear Us Apart”: music broadens, with more spatial use of backing vocals, less demonstrative than on “Come Back And Stay”. On “Ku Ku Kurama”: use of all channels reinforces the style of the music. All in all, a fine exploitation of the choirs in surround channels with successful musical spatialization.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Spatialization: ●●●●●●●ooo (7)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 7.1 Dolby Atmos (Downmixed in 7.1) :

The sample is in 7.1 wav format, if you can not play the sample in your navigator, you can save it, right button menu and Save Audio As and play it with an external player.

Ed 4: Blu-ray CD Master – 2024

Presentation

This is the Blu-ray CD Master presented in 24 bits 48 kHz (ref:DEMBD002)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the blu-ray stereo CD Master version shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR13.

The spectrogram of the blu-ray CD Master shows that the signal rises to a maximum of 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used for audio CD Master.

Synthesis and listening

The balance is the same as on the original CD.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Surface noise: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 16 bits 48 kHz:

Ed 5: Blu-ray Vinyl Master – 2024

Presentation

This is the Blu-ray vinyl record Master presented in 24 bits 96 kHz (ref:DEMBD002). It’s really exceptional to have access to the master tape used for the vinyl record in a digitized version, and we can only applaud this excellent initiative.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR11

The waveform of the blu-ray stereo vinyl Master version shows good dynamics but with slight dynamic limitation, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR11.

The spectrogram of the blur-ray Vinyl Master shows that the signal goes beyond 24 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is signal above this frequency (white arrow), this is due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency.

Synthesis and listening

This version is somewhere between the CD version and the remixed 40th anniversary version. I find it provides the best sound balance, without the loudness effect (increased bass and treble of the CD) and a little more balanced than the new mix. This vinyl record master is the curiosity of this blu-ray edition, providing one of the best stereo listening experiences ever.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●oo (3.5)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●● (5)
• Restitution: ●●●●o (4)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 24 bits 88.2 kHz:

Ed 6: Amazon UltraHD – 2008

Presentation

This is the Amazon UltraHD (2008) presented in 24 bits 96 kHz for the first track and 16 bits 44,1 kHz for the other, with 10 bonus tracks.

Waveform and Spectrum: DR8

The waveform of Amazon UltraHD clearly shows the use of a dynamic limiter, as confirmed by the dynamic range measurement with a DR8. Except for the first track (DR12).

With the exception of the first track, which is in UltraHD (24-bit 96 kHz), the other tracks are in 44.1 kHz. So there’s a 22 kHz limit (yellow arrow) with no signal above it (white arrow), and even the first track doesn’t go much beyond 22 kHz.

Synthesis and listening

The listening experience confirms the measurement of the spectrum, with an accentuation of the treble that changes the sound balance, resulting in a rising balance, far from the more balanced original version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●ooo (2)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●ooo (2.5)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 24 bits 96 kHz:

Ed 7: CD – 1983

Presentation

This is the CD presented in 16 bits 44.1 kHz (ref:)

Waveform and Spectrum: DR13

The waveform of the original CD shows good dynamics, as the graphs below confirm, with a dynamic range of at DR13.

The spectrograms of the CD versions show that the signal rises to a maximum of 22 kHz (yellow arrow) and that there is no signal above this frequency (white arrow), due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency used for audio CDs.

Synthesis and listening

The original CD version (identical with the master CD on Blu-ray) provides a richer listening experience in both bass and treble, compared with the Blu-ray Master disc vinyl and 40th anniversary remix versions. But this version remains less natural than the tonal balance of the Master record vinyl version.

Rating:

• Dynamic: ●●●●o (4)
• Bandwidth: ●●●●o (4)
• Restitution: ●●●oo (3.5)

Sample : Come Back And Stay” 16 bits 44.1 kHz:

Here, blu-ray audio offers 5 versions: stereo, 5.1 and Atmos remixes, the CD master and, above all, the exceptional vinyl record Master. This is what we’d like to find for all album editions. With this support, you’re sure to find the version that meets your expectations, whether between the 3 stereo versions (with a very good vinyl master) or the multichannel versions, whose Dolby Atmos mix is a real success.

Dynamic Range measurements and spectra are shown below.

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Measurements

Dynamic Range comparaisons

Dynamic represents the ability to reproduce a wide range of sounds from the softest to the loudest. The target is to compare the dynamics of the music and not of the media (CD, digital files or vinyl).

For our 7 editions reviewed have obtained the following Dynamic Range (DR) :

	Blu-ray Stereo Remix – 2024	Blu-ray 5.1 Remix – 2024	Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2024	Blu-ray CD Master – 2024	Blu-ray Vinyl Master – 2024	Amazon UltraHD – 2008	CD – 1983
Global	DR12	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR11	DR8	DR13
Min	DR10	DR10	DR11	DR12	DR10	DR8	DR12
Max	DR16	DR15	DR17	DR14	DR12	DR12	DR14
Come Back And Stay*	DR11	DR12	DR13	DR12	DR10	DR12	DR12
Love Will Tear Us Apart	DR12	DR11	DR12	DR12	DR10	DR8	DR12
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR11	DR9	DR14
Ku Ku Kurama	DR12	DR12	DR15	DR12	DR11	DR8	DR12
No Parlez	DR13	DR13	DR14	DR12	DR11	DR8	DR12
Love Of The Common People*	DR13	DR12	DR14	DR14	DR11	DR9	DR14
Oh Women	DR13	DR12	DR13	DR13	DR11	DR8	DR13
Iron Out The Rough Spots*	DR16	DR15	DR17	DR14	DR12	DR9	DR14
Broken Man	DR12	DR10	DR11	DR12	DR11	DR9	DR12
Tender Trap	DR14	DR13	DR14	DR13	DR12	DR9	DR13
Sex*	DR13	DR11	DR13	DR13	DR11	DR8	DR13
Behind Your Smile***	DR11	DR11	DR13	DR13			DR13
I’ve Been Lonely For So Long**	DR12	DR12	DR13
Yours**	DR10	DR14	DR14

Very good dynamics for all the versions tested, except for the Amazon UltraHD version, which is more compressed dynamically with a DR8.

As a reminder, the scale goes from 0 to more 20, but the dynamics are considered good from 12, quite good between 10 and 11, and deteriorate below 10.

Spectrum comparisons

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo Remix – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Amazon UltraHD – 2008 (blue curve).There are big differences between the two curves, particularly above 1 kHz where the amazon version is up to 5 dB higher (yellow zone), as well as small differences below 100 Hz (green zone). Unlike the Amazon version, which cuts above 20 kHz, the bluray version makes good use of the 192 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Blu-ray 5.1 Remix – 2024.
The spectrum of the Blu-ray 5.1 version shows that all channels are used. Bass is filtered at 120 Hz (green arrow) and surround channels are attenuated below 200 Hz (white arrow). The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

The graph below represents the spectrum of the Blu-ray Dolby Atmos – 2024.
The spectrum of the Dolby Atmos version of the Blu-ray decoded in 7.1 shows that all channels are used. Bass is filtered at 120 Hz (green arrow) and surround channels are attenuated below 200 Hz (white arrow). The yellow arrow indicates the high-frequency limit at 24 kHz, due to the 48 kHz sampling frequency used.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blu-ray CD Master – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD – 1983 (blue curve).No surprises here: the 2 curves from the same master are perfectly superimposed.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blu-ray Vinyl Master – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo Remix – 2024 (blue curve).The curves are similar, but with an attenuation of the high frequencies above 8 kHz (up to 5 dB) for the vinyl master (yellow zone), and also a slight attenuation of the low frequencies below 600 Hz (green zone). The vinyl master cuts at 48 kHz (yellow arrow) due to the 96 kHz sampling frequency.

The graph below compares the spectrum of the Blu-ray Stereo Remix – 2024 (white curve) with the spectrum of the CD – 1983 (blue curve).The curves are similar, but with an attenuation of frequencies between 3 kHz and 15 kHz (up to 3 dB) for the remixed blu-ray version (yellow zone), and also a slight bass attenuation below 300 Hz (green zone). The CD cuts at 22 kHz (yellow arrow) due to the 44.1 kHz sampling frequency.

Detail of the ratings :

• Dynamic :
  1. Significant dynamic compression, DR less than 7
  2. Compression of the present dynamics, DR between 7 and 9.
  3. Correct piece DR >=10
  4. No dynamic compression (DR >12), dynamic rendering
  5. No dynamic compression, high DR and very dynamic sound rendering
• Spectrum :
  1. Spectrum cut and less than 15 khz
  2. Spectrum cut at 15 khz
  3. Spectrum not conforming to the original and cut (not HD) or original but limited bandwidth (but less than 20 kHz)
  4. Spectrum conforming to the original (but not HD)
  5. Spectrum conforming to the original with HD resolution (higher than 24kHz)
• Surface noise (only for vinyl):
  1. Continuous audible noise
  2. Audible surface noise except on passages with a high level of noise
  3. Reduced surface noise, barely audible on low level crossings
  4. Low surface noise, very good quality
  5. Very low surface noise, no defects, almost inaudible on the quiet passages (exceptional disc)
• Spatialization :
  • Between 0 and 5 for 5.1 or 7.1 channels configuration
  • Between 0 and 10 for Atmos configuration (7.1.4)
  • For more information on spatialization, you can read the article describing this parameter here.
• Restitution :
  1. Low quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  2. Average quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments.
  3. Quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Good record.
  4. High quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Very high level disc.
  5. Maximum quality of the restitution mixing dynamics, clarity, separation of voices and instruments. Exceptional disc.

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