Azimuth. What really is this?

[Hardbopjazz]

I was listening to Grant Green's Standards this morning. The back of the CD case states , "The slight phasing effect on the cymbals on serveral performances is derived from an azimuth problem which occurred in the 1980 tape transfer of this sessions."

Now, I really can't say I hear anything that I shouldn't hear from the cymbals. Anyone know where I should be listening for this?

[couw]

it has to do with the alignment of the head-gap on the tape recorder/player. This should be exactly perpendicular to the direction of the tape, if not, there is a delay in the sound reproduced, the sound is smeared. This is most noticeable in higher frequencies. It results in swooshing cymbals for example. It's rather complicated as it means both the tape recorder AND the tape player need equal head alignment, of both head gaps in case of stereo.

[JSngry]

My experience was that they cleared up a LOT of the problem on the CD. The Japanese LP version was really wierd - sounded like the drummer was playing straight eighth notes throughout or some such.

[Hardbopjazz]

To me, I can hardly hear any distortion.