March 21st, 2023
There's a Story Behind the "Onslaught" of Neil Young Official Bootleg Releases but he's not yet ready to tell it.... By: Michael FremerHopefully, one day soon Neil will reveal the reason he's so rapidly releasing so many Bootleg series titles, but for now he's leaving fans guessing. According to the Warner Music publicist there will be "many more" titles this year. These releases are not randomly chosen. Behind each is a unique story. The latest two, out April 14th are The Ducks High Flyin' and Neil Young and the Santa Monica Flyers Somewhere Under the Rainbow.High... Read More
Comments: 5March 17th, 2023
Redefining the Deutsche Grammophon Sound DG'S all-analogue "original source" vinyl reissues will tackle the label’s variable sonics By: Mark WardClassical music-loving audiophiles can sometimes feel like they've been left out in the cold with regard to all-analogue vinyl reissues. Not so rock and jazz lovers who are well catered to with excellent AAA reissues from Analogue Productions, Impex, Craft, Blue Note et al. Speaker’s Corner used to keep the classical reissues coming, but even their releases have dried up in the last few years - a great shame.However, relief is at hand. As reported by MF and... Read More
Comments: 27March 15th, 2023
Andover's SpinDeck 2 Adds Features, Priced Low at $299 key features simplify use, add convenience By: Tracking AngleAndover Audio just announced the new Spin Deck 2 turntable, budget priced at $299 complete with Audio Technica AT3600 cartridge and acrylic dustcover. The "starter" turntable now features electronic speed control and automatic end of side shut-off and arm return. The Audio-Technica 3600 comes pre-mounted for easy set-up, but can easily be upgraded.The new Spin Deck 2 also includes a by-passable built-in MM phono preamp. In addition, for greater speed... Read More
Comments: 3March 14th, 2023
Metallica Acquires Furnace Pressing—Yes, "That" Metallica Alexandria, VA-based pressing plant has produced for the band 5 million+ records since 2014 By: Tracking AngleOne way to assure you don't have to wait for your records to be pressed is to buy a pressing plant. That's what the band Metallica just did, buying a majority interest in Alexandria, VA based Furnace Pressing from founder Eric Astor and his business partners.Furnace's Exterior—Photo Taken During November, 2021 VisitFrom the press release:Founded by Eric Astor in 1996, Furnace is known for making extremely high-quality records at its 70,000 square foot,... Read More
Comments: 4March 12th, 2023
Deutsche Grammophon Announces "The Original Source" AAA Reissue Series 14 titles to be issued in 2023 cut directly from 4-track masters By: Michael FremerIn 1970 DGG developed quadraphonic 4 channel tape recording, featuring left, right and rear channel "surround" channels. The tapes were edited using traditional splicing techniques and then down mixed to 2 channels for standard record production, since QS and SQ quad LP technology hadn't been fully developed and when it was DGG chose to not issue LPs in either of those competing formats.For these new reissues, DGG decided to cut directly from the 4... Read More
Comments: 23March 7th, 2023
Two Must See Seminars at Florida International Audio Expo 2023 Finally! cavitation explained clearly and concisely and the 7 targets of proper cartridge alignment By: Michael Fremer
What exactly is "cavitation" as applied to record cleaning? None of the novelty videos on YouTube explain what it is and most of them make recommendations that clearly indicate the advocates have no idea what they are talking about! In fact, many of the "cavitation" machines do not actually cavitate.
What are the 7 alignment targets necessary to hit in order to properly align a cartridge? And what are the benefits of proper alignment in addition to better sonic performance?
Read More Comments: 45March 6th, 2023
Starting a Jamaican Music Collection Part 2b―Rock Steady: The Groups Delving into the best of Jamaican rock steady By: Willie LuncheonetteIn the "Starting a Jamaican Music Collection" series, in part 1 we covered ska and in part 2a rock steady, the singer. We now come to rock steady, the groups. To recapitulate, ska lasted roughly from 1960 to the later part of 1966. Rock steady then took over the island. The fast tempi and thundering horns of many ska songs gave way to rock steady's much slower beat. Playing a much more prominent role in the new genre were the bass and drums and along... Read More
Comments: 7March 5th, 2023
Marquee Moon....Tom Verlaine and Television's "Not Punk Rock" Masterpiece A Personal History Of Punk Rock By: Joseph W. WashekTom Verlaine died on January 28, 2023. He was the guitarist, singer, songwriter for, and co-founder of the band Television. Their first album "Marque Moon", released in February 1977, is a masterpiece and, like all masterpieces, an expression of a unique talent and sensibility that fits in no category or genre. But the media and the streaming services insist that "Marquee Moon" is a "punk" album and Television was a "punk" band.... Read More
Comments: 11March 3rd, 2023
Tune in Saturday, March 4th 3PM (EST) For "Reviewing Reviews" with Michael Fremer and Ken Kessler, hosted by "Michael45rpm" By: Tracking AngleMichael Ludwigs who hosts the popular "michael45" YouTube channel will have as his guests tomorrow, Saturday March 4th, in a live YouTube stream TrackingAngle.com editor Michael Fremer and esteemed veteran audio and music reviewer Ken Kessler. The discussion will revolve around music and audio reviewing, but mostly music. What is a music reviewer's job? What are his or her responsibilities to the reader/viewer? To the record label? To the artist? What... Read More
Comments: 3March 1st, 2023
Craft Announces Re-Launch of Original Jazz Classics (OJC Series)! first two cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio using the original master tapes By: Tracking AngleCraft Recordings relaunches Original Jazz Classics – the acclaimed reissue series that faithfully presented more than 850 memorable jazz albums over three decades. The soon to be relaunched reissue series will be focused on audiophile-quality vinyl and HD audio releases. Upcoming reissues include titles from Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Mal Waldron and Yusef Lateef, with further details to be announced soon via Craft Recordings. First launched in 1982... Read More
Comments: 9March 1st, 2023
ECM Announces "Luminessence"—a New Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series "cut from the original masters made in europe analog productions wherever possible" By: Tracking Angle
The series Includes jewels of the label’s deep catalogue that have long been out of print or have never been available on vinyl, packaged in elegant, high-quality editions cut from the original masters made in Europe analogue production wherever possible
Read More Comments: 7March 1st, 2023
Florida International Audio Expo 2023 Video Coverage Part 1 From the top 14th floor down to the 7th floor By: Michael FremerLast week's Florida International Audio Expo in Tampa truly was an "international" event. Before the show, the "international" characterization seemed somewhat over the top. After all, this is a recent, relatively small regional show organized by non-professionals. But show organizers knew something most attendees didn't: it truly was an international show! Japanese speaker manufacturer TAD took a big room and even company president... Read More
Comments: 0March 1st, 2023
Hana Introduces the new Umami Blue Moving Coil Cartridge from Excel Sound's master cartridge designer Mateo Okada-san By: Tracking AngleMusical Surroundings today announced the new $2500 Hana-Umami Blue cartridge. From the press release: "The new cartridge follows in the Hana “Brilliant and Gorgeous” tradition of providing the listener with sublime enjoyment. Embodying the true sense of synergy, the HANA-Umami Blue combines the essential ingredients of the HANA-Umami Red with the ALNICO based generator of the HANA ML."The new cartridge incorporates the Auricle™ body design, unique and... Read More
Comments: 3February 28th, 2023
Parasound Adds Darren Myers to its Audio Design Team new title is Vice President of Research and Development By: Michael Fremer"SAN FRANCISCO (February 28, 2023) – Early in his tenure as Parasound's new owner, David Sheriff made a commitment to the company's legendary designer, John Curl, to bring more of his new ideas to the fore. To accelerate this process, Sheriff has hired Darren Myers as Vice President of Research and Development. Myers was most recently Senior Analog Design Engineer for PS Audio, and earlier a designer for Classe Audio and B&W Loudspeakers. He is a... Read More
Comments: 1