Hemiolia Records releases Miles Davis’ masterpiece on tape – and there’s much more to come!

November 7, 2022

You know those late night conversations that happen among tape lovers, the ones that kick off with someone asking (usually after a few drinks), “if you could listen to absolutely any album on tape, what would it be?”… and you know how everyone then shares – with misty eyes – their list of ‘fantasy’ tapes, … More Hemiolia Records releases Miles Davis’ masterpiece on tape – and there’s much more to come!

Lyn Stanley – Novel Noel – A Cool Jingle Jazz Celebration

November 6, 2022

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again. If you’re gearing up towards getting into the Christmas spirit, or looking to drop some tape-related hints to your gift-buying loved ones, here’s Neville Roberts on Lyn Stanley’s new seasonal jazz album on tape (which, it turns out, it ‘not just for Christmas’). It’s quite a triumph … More Lyn Stanley – Novel Noel – A Cool Jingle Jazz Celebration

Talking tape: Lee Morgan’s seminal album The Sidewinder from The Tape Project

November 2, 2022

For a jazz fan, this is a ‘must have’. It’s a classic Blue Note recording and one that’s considered one of their backbone titles. It’s also listed on many Best Jazz Albums lists – and rightly so, in my view! It’s taken me a good while to get my hands on a copy though, as … More Talking tape: Lee Morgan’s seminal album The Sidewinder from The Tape Project

Discovering DJ Kerri Chandler’s reel-to-reel set in London

October 31, 2022

Okay so I’m a bit late to the party on this one – a year late to be honest! But sometimes things hit your radar when they hit your radar and they’re worth sharing anyway, even if the ‘hot’ moment has passed. The moment in question here was in November 2021 – when Kerri Chandler, … More Discovering DJ Kerri Chandler’s reel-to-reel set in London

Master tape collection for sale: ‘The Margate Masters’ – deadline 30 September!

September 15, 2022

If you want to cut to the chase on this one, feel free to go ahead and scroll down. But if you have a couple of minutes for a short ramble, walk this way… This is a story that began a few years ago. For those of us who like things specific, it was October … More Master tape collection for sale: ‘The Margate Masters’ – deadline 30 September!

Audio distributor Absolute Sounds embraces the R2R revival & brings Metaxas & Sins’ duo of decks to the UK hi-fi market

August 31, 2022

Could R2R be about to enter the mainstream of high-end hi-fi? Wishful thinking perhaps, but a press release just landed on my desk that’s making me smile the smile of a reel-to-reel guy who’s enjoying seeing tape continuing to defy the modernist odds, as vinyl has already done big time. Absolute Sounds, the UK’s leading … More Audio distributor Absolute Sounds embraces the R2R revival & brings Metaxas & Sins’ duo of decks to the UK hi-fi market

The Denon DH-710F: Ken Kessler on Tim de Paravicini’s favourite tape deck

August 17, 2022

Following the sad passing of ‘the god of open reel tape’ Tim de Paravicini (pictured right) in late 2020, Ken Kessler penned a couple of guest blogs on Tim’s life and work: “I’m sorting that for Paul McCartney” and “He worked on machines for three Beatles”, which proved hugely popular. There probably wasn’t an open-reel … More The Denon DH-710F: Ken Kessler on Tim de Paravicini’s favourite tape deck

Oscar Peterson ‘We Get Requests’ – an Analogue Productions Ultra Tape

August 11, 2022

Here we have an absolute jazz classic. It’s probably the most famous of Oscar Peterson’s recorded works and, as the album’s title suggests, it’s a real crowd pleaser – a kind of ‘best of’ featuring ten hugely popular songs of the era. I’ve been listening to this album in various formats for several decades, since … More Oscar Peterson ‘We Get Requests’ – an Analogue Productions Ultra Tape

Analogue format ‘wars’: Muddy Waters on MOFI One-Step Ultradisc versus Analogue Productions Ultra Tape

July 20, 2022

This one’s a real treat folks – an incredible album, on two sublime vinyl and tape formats. The album in question is Muddy Waters’ 1964 masterpiece, Folk Singer, which was originally released on Chess Records. This is another video review, so if you want to jump straight to it, just scroll down. Or, for a … More Analogue format ‘wars’: Muddy Waters on MOFI One-Step Ultradisc versus Analogue Productions Ultra Tape

Talking tape: Elgar’s Cello Concerto from Horch House, featuring Jacqueline du Pré

July 15, 2022

I’m a sucker for a cello concerto. There’s something about them that gets me right in the heart and soul. The first one that really spoke to me was Dvorak’s, and I’ve had a soft spot for them ever since. Somehow, the prolonged sound of a cello seems to unravel the knots of everyday life … More Talking tape: Elgar’s Cello Concerto from Horch House, featuring Jacqueline du Pré