Category: Reviews: music on R2R

The reel deals: Hi-Fi News features Ken Kessler’s definitive guide to buying tapes, new and secondhand

August 23, 2020

Tape lovers, grab your copy of the September issue of Hi-Fi News magazine. In it, self-confessed tape junkie and hi-fi journalist extraordinaire, Ken Kessler, shares his hard-won wisdom on how to get your hands on some seriously good sounds. “For any format, whether new or revived, it is the availability of pre-recorded music that determines … More The reel deals: Hi-Fi News features Ken Kessler’s definitive guide to buying tapes, new and secondhand

STS Analog’s ‘Come Fly With Me’ – in which The Amsterdam Jazz Trio proves to be the perfect cure for lockdown-quarantine-pandemic fever

August 12, 2020

Let’s face it, the past six months have been…. well, is there even a word for it? Several come to mind but few of them are printable! What can one say about the massive impact of a global pandemic on every single area of our lives? The virus itself, the effect of months of lockdown, … More STS Analog’s ‘Come Fly With Me’ – in which The Amsterdam Jazz Trio proves to be the perfect cure for lockdown-quarantine-pandemic fever

Review: ‘A Day In The Life’ by the Quentin Collins All Star Quintet – the latest release from Chasing the Dragon

March 17, 2020

Between them, Dave Denyer and Neville Roberts have clocked up quite a few visits to London’s AIR Studios in the past year or so. And why wouldn’t you, given the opportunity! In this case the opportunities have been offered by Mike Valentine of audiophile record label Chasing the Dragon, whose live studio recording sessions are … More Review: ‘A Day In The Life’ by the Quentin Collins All Star Quintet – the latest release from Chasing the Dragon

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