If, like me, you’re both a tape devotee and a jazz fan, you’ll no doubt have been following this year’s incredible releases from Italian label Hemiolia Records.
If you’ve somehow managed to miss it, here’s the long story cut very short: a year or so ago, Hemiolia signed a deal with Ermitage Distribution allowing them to produce 15ips, 2-track, ¼” tape releases of a selection of albums from Ermitage’s jazz back-catalogue. ‘Who is Ermitage and why should they interest me?’ you might ask. Good question. Again, the short version is this: they’re an Italy-based independent classical music label and also a distributor and re-issue label of music and classic cinema. The interesting part of the story is this: they have licences to hold master tapes of some of the greatest ever albums from the likes of Sony, Columbia, Blue Note, etc, and have granted Hemiolia a licence to release them as master tape copies.
And so, 2023 has seen the release of some huge artists and albums on tape – Miles Davis, Getz / Gilberto, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus. If you’re interested you can check out my reviews of several of them: https://thereeltoreelrambler.com/category/hemiolia-records/
And still, they keep on coming…. Chet Baker Sings – It Could Happen To You, Miles Davis – Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud and Bill Evans – Waltz For Debby have all been released since my last review.
Next up is The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s absolutely seminal album Time Out.
The album was originally recorded in 1959 at Columbia’s 30th Street Studios in New York and released in December of that year. Interestingly, the marketing pundits at Columbia expected the album to be a commercial flop, because it was so experimental. Ha!
So now, some 64 years later, we have a chance to hear Time Out in all of its original glory. What we have here is a Stereo Edition, skilfully remastered by Hemiolia’s Pietro Benini. In my experience of Benini’s work, the result will be something that’s more akin to the original recording than anything that’s been released in the meantime, including the original vinyl.
Here’s the link to find out more and, if you’re in the market, order your copy: https://www.hemioliarecords.com/en/master-tapes/55-324-time-out-the-dave-brubeck-quartet-2reels-8050616581303.html#/1-equalizzazione-ccir
Dave Denyer: The Reel-to-Reel Rambler 