Author: Dave Denyer

David Denyer PR & the reel-to-reel rambler

New from Ballfinger in 2023: M-051-MR Master Recorder, M-063-H6 deck & an upgraded M-002-P

February 8, 2023

Christmas may be well behind us now, but if a brand new tape deck is on your wish list, then Ballfinger is set to bring you tidings of  comfort and joy in the coming year… The German brand, one of just a handful of companies manufacturing modern tape decks, is set to release a brand … More New from Ballfinger in 2023: M-051-MR Master Recorder, M-063-H6 deck & an upgraded M-002-P

John Coltrane’s Blue Train: Hemiolia’s new master tape copy vs. Blue Note Tone Poet’s vinyl release

January 16, 2023

Regular readers may recall that back in November I posted in great excitement about an announcement by Hemiolia Records that they were planning to release some ‘Holy Grail’ albums on tape. Well, the excitement just got even bigger – because I have the first three titles!! One of them is an all-time favourite album of … More John Coltrane’s Blue Train: Hemiolia’s new master tape copy vs. Blue Note Tone Poet’s vinyl release

Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak & Mendelssohn: new master tapes from UltraAnalogue Recordings

December 9, 2022

I had an excited message from Ed Pong of UltraAnalogue Recordings the other day. Ed sounded like he was on the kind of high that you only get from those peak musical experiences (you know the ones!) – and with good reason, since he’s just finished making several new master tape recordings of a stunning … More Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak & Mendelssohn: new master tapes from UltraAnalogue Recordings

straight2tape – a brilliant new concept of real, up-close-and-personal, music events

November 30, 2022

‘Being there’ One of the phrases I use most often when reviewing tapes is, I’m afraid, a rather hackneyed one: “it’s almost like being there” (or some variation on that theme). I make no apology for it, because this (for me) is without doubt the most soul-stirring aspect of tape as a format for enjoying … More straight2tape – a brilliant new concept of real, up-close-and-personal, music events

Metaxas & Sins Tourbillon T-RX reel-to-reel tape deck gets a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound

November 21, 2022

“Alongside the UHA SuperDeck, the Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX is the highest fidelity audio component I’ve auditioned,” says US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s Jonathan Valin. Considering Valin auditions the greatest hi-fi kit from around the world for a living, that’s high praise for sure! Each year, The Absolute Sound’s reviewers are asked to select those components … More Metaxas & Sins Tourbillon T-RX reel-to-reel tape deck gets a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound

New 7-inch carbon fibre high performance tape reel from RX Reels

November 16, 2022

“You asked, we listened,” says Kevin Root of US-based RX Reels, who has just released a new 7-inch reel that shares many of the same specs as the company’s 10.5-inch Studio reel. Where Kevin says ‘you asked’, what he actually means is that Ken Kessler pestered him to within an inch of his life! Don’t … More New 7-inch carbon fibre high performance tape reel from RX Reels

Hemiolia Records releases Miles Davis’ masterpiece on tape – and there’s much more to come!

November 7, 2022

You know those late night conversations that happen among tape lovers, the ones that kick off with someone asking (usually after a few drinks), “if you could listen to absolutely any album on tape, what would it be?”… and you know how everyone then shares – with misty eyes – their list of ‘fantasy’ tapes, … More Hemiolia Records releases Miles Davis’ masterpiece on tape – and there’s much more to come!

Lyn Stanley – Novel Noel – A Cool Jingle Jazz Celebration

November 6, 2022

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again. If you’re gearing up towards getting into the Christmas spirit, or looking to drop some tape-related hints to your gift-buying loved ones, here’s Neville Roberts on Lyn Stanley’s new seasonal jazz album on tape (which, it turns out, it ‘not just for Christmas’). It’s quite a triumph … More Lyn Stanley – Novel Noel – A Cool Jingle Jazz Celebration

Talking tape: Lee Morgan’s seminal album The Sidewinder from The Tape Project

November 2, 2022

For a jazz fan, this is a ‘must have’. It’s a classic Blue Note recording and one that’s considered one of their backbone titles. It’s also listed on many Best Jazz Albums lists – and rightly so, in my view! It’s taken me a good while to get my hands on a copy though, as … More Talking tape: Lee Morgan’s seminal album The Sidewinder from The Tape Project

Discovering DJ Kerri Chandler’s reel-to-reel set in London

October 31, 2022

Okay so I’m a bit late to the party on this one – a year late to be honest! But sometimes things hit your radar when they hit your radar and they’re worth sharing anyway, even if the ‘hot’ moment has passed. The moment in question here was in November 2021 – when Kerri Chandler, … More Discovering DJ Kerri Chandler’s reel-to-reel set in London