In Heavy Rotation
The Electric Recording Company just announced its version of The Doors L.A. Woman limited to 450 copies at £395 each. I know people complain about the price but usually by the time I publish the news, which just arrived in my inbox, they are sold out. So if you want one, best to try now. Will it be better than the UHQR? Can't say, but it surely will be different. Read More
Comments: 3May 28th, 2026
Grappling with the Avant-garde: Revisiting Classical Music’s Most Experimental and Divisive Period - Part 1: Getting Oriented: What was the Avant-Garde? (And does it bite?) By: Mark Ward
DG’s Original Source Remastering of three titles from its iconic Avant-garde LP series of the 1960s/70s prompts me to follow the White Rabbit of Musical Curiosity down a very long rabbit hole into the Wonderland of 20th century modernism and the avant-garde, a Wonderland that as a teenager I found fascinating (and still do); a Wonderland I never entirely left.
It’s a Wonderland with many surprises - some agreeable, some disorienting, some a little alarming. Which is precisely as it should be with any good movement in the Arts that aims to question everything.
All essential to an understanding of where we are today in our ongoing voyage through the musical firmament. Thus I invite you to join me on an exploration of what makes this music tick, and why it remains worth listening to - even if you are not quite sure you like it! Maybe you will surprise yourself…
Read More Comments: 3May 28th, 2026
Celebrating The Miles Davis Centennial with "Time After Time" From " Live Around the World" followed by Cyndi's version two ways By: Michael FremerThis TrackingAngle track Du Jour celebrates the Miles Davis Centennial with a track from the rare and out of print Miles album Live Around the World. The album consists of 1988-1989 performances recorded on tour and assembled here to give the feel of a single live performance. The set begins with "In a Silent Way" recorded in New York on December 17th 1988 and ends with "Hannibal" from Miles Davis's last performance. The next to last track is... Read More
Comments: 1May 27th, 2026
The Classic Arrangements of Gil Evans Outside the Studio Miles Davis – His last Big Gig finally back on vinyl By: Frank Wonneberg
When is the right time to celebrate in a big way and pop the corks? Definitely a 100th birthday! This anniversary currently belongs to Miles Davis (May 26, 1926). But what do you do when the archives have almost nothing left to offer? A reissue or a new release? Warner Music Group is taking the easy route and releasing the previously neglected live album Miles & Quincy – Live At Montreux on vinyl as part of the Rhino Reserve series.
Read More Comments: 6May 27th, 2026
The Wand Master 14-4 Turntable Not Quite Direct, Not Quite Belt, Not Quite Idler.... All Music By: Ken RedmondIn today’s vibrant high-end analog market, numerous turntables dazzle us with their stunning looks and impressive sounds. However, many fall short over time, prioritizing style over true musical integrity. The Wand Master 14-4 takes a refreshing approach, focusing not on flashy design but on preserving the delicate temporal and harmonic connections that bring music to life. It’s all about delivering an experience that is coherent, expressive, and deeply emotionally... Read More
Comments: 3May 27th, 2026
Sonny Rollins and The Rolling Stones—Tracking Angle Tracks Du Jour Sonny's on "Tattoo You" By: Michael FremerThe great tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins died the other day age 95. He had a great run. I thought it best to honor him by playing two tracks. One is "Doxy" from the RCA Victor "Living Stereo" original pressing Our Man in Jazz recorded live at The Village Gate featuring Billy Higgins, Don Cherry and Bob Crenshaw. It's one of the first records Sonny made after returning to performing. Not easy listening but well worth the effort and the sound... Read More
Comments: 8May 26th, 2026
Clarity Vinyl 45rpm "Stairway to Heaven" Test Pressing Is Today's Track Du Jour can Koetsu carts do rock? By: Michael FremerWhen Classic Records issued the first 4 Led Zeppelin albums in a 200g box set edition it included a test pressing of "Stairway to Heaven" at 45rpm. Later, it issued a very limited edition TP on Clarity Vinyl, the same basic formulation Analogue Productions uses now for its UHQR releases. The history of that formulation and how Classic Records started using it is an interesting. I would have told it in the video but was pressed for time so here it is:... Read More
Comments: 3May 25th, 2026
Neil Young Drops Four Key '90s Classic Titles VINYL AND CD EDITIONS FROM HIS OFFICIAL RELEASE SERIES (ORS) VOL.6 AVAILABLE NOW VIA REPRISE RECORDS By: Tracking AngleMay 22, 2026 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, Neil Young returns to his Official Release Series (ORS) with the next installment of four classic titles from the 1990s. Last September we released the CD and vinyl box sets for ORS Vol 6: Discs 26, 27, 28 & 29 comprised of HARVEST MOON, UNPLUGGED, SLEEPS WITH ANGELS and MIRROR BALL Today on May 22, each of these titles are available now as individual vinyl and CD editions via Reprise Records. Each of these seminal 90s-era... Read More
Comments: 3May 25th, 2026
Triple Play "Tracks Du Jour" For Memorial Day Is An Odd Trio! just sort of happened By: Michael FremerA triple-play for Memorial Day: first up, "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes from what appeared to be a trashed copy of Philles Records Presents Today's Hits pulled from $1.00 bin. A bit of crunch at the beginning and then wow! That's followed by "New Orleans Shuffle" by John Fahey and his Orchestra from a Reprise promo record After the Ball from 1973. Every copy I've ever seen has been a promo copy leading me to believe the record never... Read More
Comments: 3May 24th, 2026
"The Inner Light" and "Baby You're a Rich Man" in stereo @45rpm From the U.K. EP Box Set is today's TA Track Du Jour sound is spectacular! By: Michael FremerThe Beatles EP box set rounds up all of the various Beatles EPs containing the singles tracks not found on the U.K. albums up through "Magical Mystery Tour". I show all the great jackets and then play "The Inner Light" and "Baby You're A Rich Man" in stereo at 45rpm. The sound is spectacular. Enjoy! Read More
Comments: 3May 23rd, 2026
Tracking Angle's "Track Du Jour" Is S&G "Bridge Over Troubled Water"-1A pressing & 45rpm "Only Living Boy In New York" there's a story behind the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" 1A pressing... By: Michael FremerThis Track Du Jour features a 1A pressing of the "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Significant because according to engineer/producer Roy Halee, shortly after the record's release, the master of the title tune was replaced with a not particularly good copy of the song, so every subsequent reissue has the less than outstanding title track. The 1A pressing guarantees the title tune is the original master tape. Also, "The Only Living Boy In New York"... Read More
Comments: 9May 22nd, 2026
J. Geils Band's "Full House" Gets Bass, Loses Pace more "listenable", less "excitement" and a gatefold surprise! By: Michael FremerFirst things first! The Deluxe embossed, laminated cover looks swell! The "LIVE" and "FULL HOUSE" have never had this deluxe cover treatment, nor did the record ever have a gatefold edition. The gatefold photo is kind of a shocker. I never saw these guys dressed like that onstage in Boston, which is the only place I ever saw them. This set recorded live at the run down former vaudeville theater renamed the Cinderella Ballroom in rundown (at the... Read More
Comments: 7May 22nd, 2026
Tracking Angle's "Track Du Jour" For Friday May 22nd Is a Motown Classic in Stereo The Supremes "Where Did Our Love Go"? By: Michael FremerHere's the Supremes' 1964 #1 single "Where Did Our Love Go" in stereo from the album of the same name. Most people heard this as a 45rpm mono single on the A.M. radio but Berry Gordy, Jr. was an audio enthusiast and so recorded this and all Motown albums of this era in real stereo. The sound on this record is very good!I bought it at Sam Goody over the summer of 1964 in the special very small stereo rock section. After thinking about the Neil Innes... Read More
Comments: 4May 21st, 2026
Definitive Sound Series Gets Retail Store Distribution and Announces New Titles Seven Titles from the Audiophile One Step Series Arrive at Independent Record Stores June 26 Upcoming Releases Include A Perfect Circle, Marvin Gaye, and Hole By: Tracking AngleLOS ANGELES, CA — May 20, 2026 – Interscope-Capitol Records today announces that seven titles from its acclaimed Definitive Sound Series (DSS) will arrive at independent record stores nationwide June 26, marking the premium audiophile line’s first expansion beyond direct-to-consumer. The initial wave of titles, released in succession since last fall, spans genres and generations, underscoring the breadth of the series. Titles arriving at indie retail stores include:... Read More
Comments: 2May 21st, 2026
Tracking Angle "De Jour" Day Two somewhat off-kilter with an Elton/Bernie parody by Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog/The Rutles) By: Michael FremerTrack Du Jour day two is a bit off the beaten track. I'll be back with more rockin' stuff tomorrow but I'm testing the waters with this Neil Innes tune to see if you appreciate it. Neil was a founding member of the Bonzo Dog Band and of course The Beatles satire, The Rutles. Here he parodies Elton John and Bernie Taupin with "Godfrey Daniels", which is also an expression some curse-repressed/and or religious people use for "G_d Damn"... Read More
Comments: 2May 20th, 2026
Tracking Angle "Track Du Jour" Begins With Squeeze's "Tempted" listen here.... By: Michael FremerToday's "track of the day" is "Tempted" by the great, sometimes overlooked British band Squeeze featuring Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook who specialized in "octave singing" plus Paul Carrack on keyboards, Gilson Lavis on drums and John Bentley on bass. The Difford/Tilbrook team took lyric wordplay to sophisticated heights and the two wrote great hook-filled tunes. Paul Carrack sings "Tempted". I should write... Read More
Comments: 9May 20th, 2026
Mahler's Fifth Times Two: One Old, One New Reference Recordings and Decca Pure Analogue Release a Pair of Mahler Fifths Angled Toward Audiophiles By: Paul Seydor
Reference Recordings and Decca Pure Analogue release new recordings in tandem of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony aimed squarely at the audiophile market. Separated by 54 years, one of an orchestra with a lineage dating back136 years to Mahler himself, the other of a contemporary orchestra that is essentially a pickup group, albeit an extraordinary one. The resulting comparisons yield far from predictable conclusions.
Read More Comments: 15May 19th, 2026
Listen to a 20+ Year Old "Tommy" Lacquer Played Dozens of Times does it sound worn out to you? By: Michael FremerThis video explains the difference between lacquers and acetates for those who don't know, and then you'll hear a 20+ year old 45rpm lacquer of what was supposed to be side 3 of "Tommy" but was never released. it's been played dozens of times around the world. There's been no editing, or fixing noise and/or pops and clicks. Just a straight 96/24 transfer. I hope you enjoy!!!!!! Read More
Comments: 6