Michael Fremer visits Universal Music Group’s Iron Mountain tape vault – and takes us with him!

August 21, 2023

“I’ve done a lot of good things in my life, like going to Abbey Road and hearing Beatles master tapes,” says Michael Fremer. “But a couple of weeks ago I had one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever had….” Woah! Something better than getting up close with actual Beatles masters in Abbey Road?? This … More Michael Fremer visits Universal Music Group’s Iron Mountain tape vault – and takes us with him!

Analogue Productions announces 10 new bluesy albums on Ultra Tape

August 10, 2023

Analogue Productions is part of US-based company Acoustic Sounds which, if you’re a long-time tape fan, you’ll no doubt already be familiar with. Acoustic Sounds’ Chad Kassem is a huge blues and jazz fan, and APO Records (Analogue Productions Originals) is his own label. Chad began recording various blues legends back in the early 1990s. … More Analogue Productions announces 10 new bluesy albums on Ultra Tape

Getz / Gilberto reviewed – and three more jazz classics announced from Hemiolia

August 4, 2023

If you’re a follower of this blog, you’ll already be familiar with Italian label Hemiolia Records’ major scoop in terms of some pretty special tape rights acquisitions, and you may have already checked out some of the incredible albums that have been released on tape as a result. If not, you can check out my … More Getz / Gilberto reviewed – and three more jazz classics announced from Hemiolia

Michael Fremer on tape, UHQR vinyl, master generations, and all things analogue

July 28, 2023

Last week I got to chat with none other than the analogue audio domain’s number one champion, The Absolute Sound magazine’s Mr Michael Fremer (also previously of Stereophile and AnalogPlanet mags). If you haven’t already done so, do check out Michael’s online magazine Tracking Angle which features the full gamut of audio interests… music reviews … More Michael Fremer on tape, UHQR vinyl, master generations, and all things analogue

“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