“The macro and the micro in complete detail”: Chasing The Dragon’s new tape recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

July 14, 2023

Scheherazade is without a doubt my absolute favourite piece of classical music. It’s packed with passion and sensuality in spades as it journeys through an utterly captivating story. And what a ride of heavenly and hellish contrasts! You’ve got hellfire dynamics and the menacing sultan’s theme. Then there’s the tempestuous storms at sea, the shipwreck … More “The macro and the micro in complete detail”: Chasing The Dragon’s new tape recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

Where to source blank tapes, tape reels and the full gamut of R2R accessories

May 30, 2023

I’ve had a pile of scribbled notes on bits of paper, Post-Its, old receipts etc for ages listing some of the many and varied places for us tape-heads to get our hands on good quality accessories – from blank tapes and reels, reel hubs and adapters, to tape splicing kit, storage boxes, cleaning kit, deck … More Where to source blank tapes, tape reels and the full gamut of R2R accessories

Hemiolia Records at Munich High End Show – and with another brand new tape!

May 18, 2023

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know that there have been some very exciting releases on master tape copy from Italian label Hemiolia Records in recent months – Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um, Getz / Gilberto, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and John Coltrane’s Blue Train. If you’re heading to the Munich High End Show … More Hemiolia Records at Munich High End Show – and with another brand new tape!

Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

May 16, 2023

Just spotted online via various high-end audio media and sharing here in case you missed it… Florida-based Reel Sound Distribution Inc. has issued a press release announcing that is now the exclusive North American distributor of hi-fi brand Metaxas & Sins, following a partnership agreement with designer Kostas Metaxas. Which means that Metaxas’ duo of reel-to-reel … More Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

New on tape: Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor Op. 49 from UltraAnalogue Recordings

May 8, 2023

There’s something about the number three: it’s the first prime number, it’s the symbol of the holy trinity, it defines the dimensions of the physical space in which we exist. In contrast, in a duo (a pair, a duality), there’s a kind of balance between ‘x and y’. But when you add a third element … More New on tape: Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor Op. 49 from UltraAnalogue Recordings

From ‘meh’ to ‘masterpiece’: Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um from Hemiolia Records on 15ips 2-track tape

May 2, 2023

Did you ever have an album that you really wanted to like – say, because it’s held in high esteem and seen as a great example of a genre you love and know a thing or two – and yet, you just can’t get into it? You have a nagging suspicion that ‘it’s not you, … More From ‘meh’ to ‘masterpiece’: Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um from Hemiolia Records on 15ips 2-track tape

5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

April 11, 2023

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s annual Editors’ Choice Awards flag up a selection of the world’s best-sounding kit, and it’s great to see a category for tape decks again this year. In fact, the magazine has been a clear supporter of the revival of tape, with some pretty good coverage of decks etc. Last … More 5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

March 28, 2023

Rewind just a few short years and who knew there’d be a category in US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year Awards for ‘Open Reel Tape Machine of the Year’. Seems like tape is well and truly back on the map! Okay, so there isn’t exactly a huge pool of contenders, but … More Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

Exclusive news! New tape release from Hemiolia: the seminal Getz / Gilberto

March 17, 2023

Oh boy. Bit of a scoop here folks. Not only do we now have one of my all-time favourite recordings – Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue – in its full sublime tape glory, but now another absolute jazz classic has just been released on 15ips 2-track tape. Thanks to Italian label Hemiolia Records having signed … More Exclusive news! New tape release from Hemiolia: the seminal Getz / Gilberto