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
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
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
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
US-based GRAMMY® award-winning recording label Yarlung Records is all about helping talented young musicians to launch their careers. Neville Roberts chats to the label’s philanthropic founder, and listens to a handful of the label’s extremely impressive artists and recordings. An old audiophile friend of mine (and recent convert to analogue tape – he still hasn’t … More Investing in talented young musicians – Neville Roberts discovers Yarlung Records’ philanthropic approach to recording excellence and checks out a few albums
…in which the rambler gets his hands on a rather special R2R recording of an all-time favourite piece of music, from Italian label Fonè Records.
Last year, hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts headed to London’s AIR Studios to witness audiophile label Chasing The Dragon’s recording of a new album, España. The recording was simultaneously captured direct-to-disk and on master tape. Here, Neville shares his impressions of the day and of the resulting vinyl LP and copy master tape. There’s something rather … More Neville Roberts listens to Chasing The Dragon’s ‘España’ – live, on master tape and direct-cut vinyl
Canada-based UltraAnalogue Recordings has just released 3 new open reel tapes, all recorded at a live concert held in May 2018 featuring star cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan with pianist Benjamin Smith. Priced at $275 each, the three are: Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour; Brahms Cello Sonata No.2; and Albeniz Asturias, Shchedrin Imitating Albeniz, Tchaikovsky Nocturne … More Emotion, wit and stunning transparency: Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour from UltraAnalogue Recordings (part 2 of 2)
You know that feeling when you discover a new musician, band, singer or orchestra… or, even better, a long-standing one that’s new to you but since they’re not actually new, there’s already a back-catalogue of treats to look forward to? Oh boy, is that a good feeling! Here’s what makes it even better: when the … More Open Reel Records does it again: the pure joy of discovering yet more world-class musicians I hadn’t heard of
In my previous ramble I introduced you to Mike Valentine. Then again, chances are you knew of him already. To some, he’s a renowned underwater film cameraman credited on an enviable list of A-list movies. To others, he’s the owner of the excellent UK audiophile record label, Chasing the Dragon, with quite a reputation for … More “Mike Valentine is to blame”: falling in love again or how I came to be a reel-to-reel rambler
