Year: 2023

Gillian Welch to release ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’ on reel-to-reel tape via Acony Records

September 21, 2023

Gillian Welch’s 2011 album, the Grammy-nominated The Harrow & The Harvest, described by the Washington Post as “Welch…at her haunting, heart-aching best,” will be released for the first time ever on reel-to-reel tape via her own Acony Records. Welch’s long-time collaborator David Rawlings says about the release, “as someone who spends a lot of time … More Gillian Welch to release ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’ on reel-to-reel tape via Acony Records

Analogue Productions & Acoustic Sounds announce The White Stripes’ ‘Elephant’ UHQR vinyl and on Ultra Tape

September 4, 2023

Amazing news folks… 2023 is the 20th anniversary of The White Stripes’ critically acclaimed album Elephant and the team at Analogue Productions and Acoustic Sounds are celebrating in the kind of style we music-loving audiophiles dream of – with a special re-release on UHQR vinyl, SACD and…. (cue drum roll): reel-to-reel Ultra Tape! I’ve got … More Analogue Productions & Acoustic Sounds announce The White Stripes’ ‘Elephant’ UHQR vinyl and on Ultra Tape

Analog Audio Design TP-1000 tape deck now available in USA – with free RX Reels carbon fibre reel

August 23, 2023

French company Analog Audio Design launched its TP-1000 tape deck back in late 2021. Now, the deck is available in the USA via distributor Pro Audio Ltd, under the guidance of Brian Tucker (formerly of Studer and ReVox). Pro Audio is also partnering with US-based RX Reels to offer customers a ‘TP-1000 RX Bundle’ – … More Analog Audio Design TP-1000 tape deck now available in USA – with free RX Reels carbon fibre reel

Michael Fremer visits Universal Music Group’s Iron Mountain tape vault – and takes us with him!

August 21, 2023

“I’ve done a lot of good things in my life, like going to Abbey Road and hearing Beatles master tapes,” says Michael Fremer. “But a couple of weeks ago I had one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever had….” Woah! Something better than getting up close with actual Beatles masters in Abbey Road?? This … More Michael Fremer visits Universal Music Group’s Iron Mountain tape vault – and takes us with him!

Analogue Productions announces 10 new bluesy albums on Ultra Tape

August 10, 2023

Analogue Productions is part of US-based company Acoustic Sounds which, if you’re a long-time tape fan, you’ll no doubt already be familiar with. Acoustic Sounds’ Chad Kassem is a huge blues and jazz fan, and APO Records (Analogue Productions Originals) is his own label. Chad began recording various blues legends back in the early 1990s. … More Analogue Productions announces 10 new bluesy albums on Ultra Tape

Getz / Gilberto reviewed – and three more jazz classics announced from Hemiolia

August 4, 2023

If you’re a follower of this blog, you’ll already be familiar with Italian label Hemiolia Records’ major scoop in terms of some pretty special tape rights acquisitions, and you may have already checked out some of the incredible albums that have been released on tape as a result. If not, you can check out my … More Getz / Gilberto reviewed – and three more jazz classics announced from Hemiolia

Michael Fremer on tape, UHQR vinyl, master generations, and all things analogue

July 28, 2023

Last week I got to chat with none other than the analogue audio domain’s number one champion, The Absolute Sound magazine’s Mr Michael Fremer (also previously of Stereophile and AnalogPlanet mags). If you haven’t already done so, do check out Michael’s online magazine Tracking Angle which features the full gamut of audio interests… music reviews … More Michael Fremer on tape, UHQR vinyl, master generations, and all things analogue

“The macro and the micro in complete detail”: Chasing The Dragon’s new tape recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

July 14, 2023

Scheherazade is without a doubt my absolute favourite piece of classical music. It’s packed with passion and sensuality in spades as it journeys through an utterly captivating story. And what a ride of heavenly and hellish contrasts! You’ve got hellfire dynamics and the menacing sultan’s theme. Then there’s the tempestuous storms at sea, the shipwreck … More “The macro and the micro in complete detail”: Chasing The Dragon’s new tape recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

Where to source blank tapes, tape reels and the full gamut of R2R accessories

May 30, 2023

I’ve had a pile of scribbled notes on bits of paper, Post-Its, old receipts etc for ages listing some of the many and varied places for us tape-heads to get our hands on good quality accessories – from blank tapes and reels, reel hubs and adapters, to tape splicing kit, storage boxes, cleaning kit, deck … More Where to source blank tapes, tape reels and the full gamut of R2R accessories