Category: Music on R2R: news & reviews

Contemporary music on tape: discovering Djabe – along with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett

January 9, 2020

In my ongoing search for great music on tape that’s legitimately and legally produced, I’ve come across several very interesting niche labels and artists. In fact, by its very nature, music on tape is niche – or, to quote Michael Fremer, “a niche within a niche within a niche”. Still, the best things in life … More Contemporary music on tape: discovering Djabe – along with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett

Recording the Bach Cello Suites: behind the scenes and a free sample download

December 27, 2019

Making high-quality audio recordings in a recording studio is one thing but making audiophile recordings at a remote venue has its own particular challenges.  Neville Roberts visits London’s Temple Church to attend one such recording session featuring two of the Bach Cello Suites, performed by the renowned and award-winning cellist, Justin Pearson. I’ve been fortunate … More Recording the Bach Cello Suites: behind the scenes and a free sample download

Open Reel Records’ Christmas Concert album: it’s not just for Christmas!

December 16, 2019

“A tape is for life, not just for Christmas.” Okay, a tape’s not quite a dog, but still… Sorry, those of you outside the UK probably have no idea what I’m rambling on about now! “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas,” was a famous advertising slogan from the charity The Dog’s Trust, … More Open Reel Records’ Christmas Concert album: it’s not just for Christmas!

View Lyn Stanley’s full presentation for the Rambler at Hi-Fi Show Live, captured by PursuitPerfectSystem.com

November 11, 2019

Enormous thanks to Terry Ellis at online audiophile webzine http://www.pursuitperfectsystem.com for capturing and sharing this excellent video footage from the Reel-to-Reel Rambler room at Hi-Fi Show Live 2019. Lyn’s a highly successful LA-based jazz singer who’s been working with some of the world’s greatest sound engineers (think Bernie Grundman, Al Schmitt) to create audiophile-quality recordings … More View Lyn Stanley’s full presentation for the Rambler at Hi-Fi Show Live, captured by PursuitPerfectSystem.com

The full English breakfast: Dave Denyer listens to Chasing the Dragon’s Live Beethoven Series on master tape

July 12, 2019

UK-based audiophile label Chasing The Dragon’s latest addition to their reassuringly-expanding catalogue is the classical equivalent of the full English breakfast: music that’s been performed and recorded countless times, that extends far beyond the usual reach of classical music and that’s sure to be immensely popular. (Okay so the breakfast analogy may be stretching it … More The full English breakfast: Dave Denyer listens to Chasing the Dragon’s Live Beethoven Series on master tape

The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

May 16, 2019

The Munich High-End Show always seems to go from strength to strength and for me 2019 was the best year yet – not least because of a number of enticing developments in the niche-but-growing world of audiophile tape. I had a brilliant few days catching up with a range of tape movers and shakers. Here’s … More The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

Review: a classical musical masterclass from UltraAnalogue Recordings

March 25, 2019

About six months ago I penned my first review of a tape from Toronto-based UltraAnalogue Recordings, Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour. To say that I enjoyed myself would be an understatement (have I mentioned how much I love my job?) and so it was only a matter of time before I went back … More Review: a classical musical masterclass from UltraAnalogue Recordings

Vivaldi in Venice part 2: a post-script from the rambler’s listening room

February 12, 2019

In 2018, hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts flew to Venice to attend the live recording of audiophile label Chasing the Dragon’s Vivaldi in Venice album. At home in the UK, Dave Denyer listens to the recording on copy master tape. Spoiler alert: “this is one of the most wonderfully captivating examples of the recording art I’ve ever … More Vivaldi in Venice part 2: a post-script from the rambler’s listening room

Vivaldi in Venice part 1: Neville Roberts discovers the joys and the challenges of making audiophile recordings of a live concert

February 11, 2019

Making a high-quality audio recording in a recording studio is one thing, but making a similar recording at a live concert has its own particular challenges. Neville Roberts flies out to Venice to investigate. I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend a number of recording sessions in recent years. The aim at each session … More Vivaldi in Venice part 1: Neville Roberts discovers the joys and the challenges of making audiophile recordings of a live concert

‘To the moon and back’: in which the rambler kicks back with Lyn Stanley’s ‘Moonlight Sessions’ and discovers a thing or two about CCIR vs. NAB equalization

January 16, 2019

Lyn Stanley: the audiophile artist Lyn Stanley is an American jazz singer with a difference. Well, several differences as it happens. The most noteworthy difference for me is that in her recording career, she focuses entirely on making audiophile quality albums. Other interesting snippets include the fact that she was previously an international standard ballroom dancer, … More ‘To the moon and back’: in which the rambler kicks back with Lyn Stanley’s ‘Moonlight Sessions’ and discovers a thing or two about CCIR vs. NAB equalization