Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – Night Blooms – Dolby Atmos comes to the Rescue of Jazz Dynamics – Reviewed ( Stereo vs Vinyl vs Atmos)

[Jean.Francois]

Hello,

Released in June 2026, Night Blooms is the latest collaboration between Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. A follow-up to Still Blooming (2025), this album continues the actor and pianist s exploration of the Great American Songbook, blending elegant jazz arrangements with a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Featuring Melody Gardot, Charlie Puth, Cynthia Erivo, dodie, Haley Reinhart, Ariana Grande, Maiya Sykes, and Scarlett Johansson, Night Blooms alternates between newly recorded standards and Late Night Sessions that revisit tracks from the previous album with fresh interpretations.

I must admit that I was genuinely surprised from the very first listen of the Dolby Atmos version. I was expecting a soundstage that was primarily front-focused, as is often the case with jazz recordings, but this mix takes a very different approach. It creates a wide 180-degree soundstage, taking full advantage of the surround channels to naturally position the instruments around the listener rather than simply extending the front stage. This well-thought-out spatial arrangement gives the performance remarkable openness and realism, allowing each instrument to breathe while preserving the cohesion of the ensemble. The 3D video on YouTube demonstrating spatialization clearly shows the distribution of sound in space according to the instruments.

This immersive presentation enhances the feeling of being in the presence of the musicians, revealing subtle instrumental details that are less noticeable in traditional stereo.This spatialization is accompanied by a beautiful dynamic range.


Unfortunately, the stereo version follows the trend of limiting dynamic range in jazz recordings and therefore does not entirely escape the effects of the loudness war, as shown by the comparison of the waveforms.

For those who prefer a stereo listening experience, the vinyl edition remains a very appealing option, offering a more open and lively sound than the digital stereo version.

Find the full review with all measurements and analysis HERE (link), as well as a demonstration of the 3D spatialization of the Dolby Atmos version on YouTube.


Enjoy listening,
Jean-François

 

[Cote Dazur]

naturally position the instruments around the listener

I do not understand, how can position the instruments around the listener feel natural?
As a musician on the stage, yes, I can see it, but as a listener, instuments are never played around me.

 

[FrantzM]

I do not understand, how can position the instruments around the listener feel natural?
As a musician on the stage, yes, I can see it, but as a listener, instuments are never played around me.

+1

 

[Jean.Francois]

I do not understand, how can position the instruments around the listener feel natural?
As a musician on the stage, yes, I can see it, but as a listener, instuments are never played around me.

As I’ve described, the soundstage is front-focused with a 180-degree extension to the sides, which effectively widens the soundstage and places the listener in the conductor’s position. So you get the perception of a soundstage that’s widened on the sides, which still feels “natural”, as if you were standing in the conductor’s spot. It’s a different way of experiencing music. It can be more immersive, for example, as if you were standing in the center of the orchestra, as in Morten Lindberg’s recordings (like with this album Trio Mediaeval: YULE).

 

[Cote Dazur]

Thank you, I am sure it is spectacular.

 

[BJL]

Bummer no Atmos blu ray, apparently.

 

[RDoc]

As I’ve described, the soundstage is front-focused with a 180-degree extension to the sides, which effectively widens the soundstage and places the listener in the conductor’s position. So you get the perception of a soundstage that’s widened on the sides, which still feels “natural”, as if you were standing in the conductor’s spot. It’s a different way of experiencing music. It can be more immersive, for example, as if you were standing in the center of the orchestra, as in Morten Lindberg’s recordings (like with this album Trio Mediaeval: YULE).

When we go to our local (fantastic!) jazz club we always specify that we want the table closest to the band. In this case it's about 4'. So yes, having the band all around you is quite valid and IMHO wonderful.

 

[goat76]

This immersive presentation enhances the feeling of being in the presence of the musicians, revealing subtle instrumental details that are less noticeable in traditional stereo.

I had a listen to the Atmos version in my 5.1 (only) system, and as you say, the immersive presentation sounds great. But then I also had a listen to the stereo version, and the stereo mix is highly immersive too, even to the point I had to make sure it wasn’t any up mixing going on in my system, but no, it’s only the two front speakers playing.

I hear the same instrument details in both versions. Do you have any specific examples of details you hear in the Atmos version that doesn’t come through in the stereo version?