‘Woah!’: On being blown away by Beethoven’s final three piano sonatas from UltraAnalogue Recordings

If you want the short version of this review, minus my ramblings, here it is: three sonatas, three passionate fanatics, three steps to heaven! For a bit more detail, read on… ‘Lost in music’ I often ramble on about ‘audiophile recordings’ across multiple media, not just tape, and sometimes in a non-too effusive light. By … More ‘Woah!’: On being blown away by Beethoven’s final three piano sonatas from UltraAnalogue Recordings

‘Exclusive’: Hemiolia to preview / announce new titles at the Munich High-End Show this week

There’s more exciting news afoot from the folks at Hemiolia Records, whose copy-master tape releases over the past year or two have been pretty darned spectacular and show no signs of slowing down! If you’re heading over to the Munich High-End Show 2024 this week (9th to 12th May) you’ll find Hemiolia in Hall 4, … More ‘Exclusive’: Hemiolia to preview / announce new titles at the Munich High-End Show this week

‘The Harrow & The Harvest’: Gillian Welch’s seminal album on tape and an interview with David Rawlings

Last year 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,” was released for the first time ever on reel-to-reel tape via her own Acony Records (which she co-owns with long-time collaborator David Rawlings). It’s long been a favourite album of mine … More ‘The Harrow & The Harvest’: Gillian Welch’s seminal album on tape and an interview with David Rawlings

‘An Evening of New York Songs and Stories’: Suzanne Vega live on tape from Horch House

It’s fantastic that we’re starting to see a wider breadth of music available on reel-to-reel tape lately, both in terms of a broader range of genres and also an increasing number of contemporary artists alongside the ‘old greats’. Horch House have been doing some sterling work on this, with recent releases including Alice Cooper and … More ‘An Evening of New York Songs and Stories’: Suzanne Vega live on tape from Horch House

Electronic band Yello announce ‘The Mastertape Edition’ & ‘The Revox B77 MkII Yello Edition’

I have some exciting news for you here folks, especially for those of us craving a wider range of musical genres on tape. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of jazz and classical, but I also love a whole heap of other genres and am always hankering to hear more of them on … More Electronic band Yello announce ‘The Mastertape Edition’ & ‘The Revox B77 MkII Yello Edition’

6 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2024

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s annual Editors’ Choice Awards have been published in the March issue, and this year there are 6 tape decks that pick up a ‘gong’. Last year’s awards (5 of them) went to combination of new, vintage and hybrid decks and this year’s selection follows the same pattern (and actually features mostly … More 6 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2024

Another iconic album release from Hemiolia Records: Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain

Boy, are these good times for Miles Davis fans! The folks at Hemiolia Records just keep on keeping ‘em coming with their incredible copy-master tape releases, and the next title has just been announced. Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain was recorded in late 1959 / early 1960 at Colombia Records’ 30th Street Studio (aka ‘The … More Another iconic album release from Hemiolia Records: Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain

Lyn Stanley’s Black Dress Ballads on copy-master tape reviewed by Neville Roberts

In which hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts reports on jazz singer Lyn Stanley’s latest release, mastered by none other than the great Bernie Grundman… Another set of copy-master tapes from the LA-based, internationally-acclaimed jazz singer Lyn Stanley arrived on my doorstep in December 2023. These tapes were the pre-production set of tapes for her latest album … More Lyn Stanley’s Black Dress Ballads on copy-master tape reviewed by Neville Roberts