10 March 2009: Forthcoming vinyl releases from Stockfisch Records: Stockfisch Records is know for the exquisite vinyl releases it has in its catalogue, especially the now well-known album, Water Falls. Other than this, there are only four other titles available on vinyl - The Vinyl Collection; David Roth's Pearl Diver; The Paperboys' Live in Stockfisch Studios and two direct to disc recordings by The Bassface Swing Trio: Tribute to Cole Porter and Plays Gershwin.
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10 March 2009: A legend needs a break: After many years as the "queen of Audiophile", blues/jazz singer and composer Sara K is putting down her guitar. For good. A long career which saw her recording with two specialists labels, Chesky and Stockfisch, comes to an end when her unique four stringed guitar is auctioned on eBay. [ Follow the auction.... ] She has indicated that she will devote her time and attention to her family. Stockfisch will thus issue Made in the Shade as a superbly engineerded CD/SACD hybrid as well as 180 gram DMM (direct metal master) vinyl version later. Watch this space for more information.
10 March 2009: Music day, 21 March 2009, Kameeldrift, Pretoria: Join us for a day of music, a chat and a chance to relax on our music day this coming month. Three businesses have joined forces: AV Cables, A Sound Experience and Valve Audio will be represented and their products will be available. New vinyl is on sale too. More information is available in the newsletter, below.
28 February 2009: A Sound Experience newsletter 03 for 2009: Download your newsletter today and read all about: Music day, 21 March 2009; Rega hardware specials; Software specials; New Sara K album: Made in the shade; New software; Rega reviews in AVSA; Rega amplification; Software labels - ditching some, grabbing others; and Supplier frustrations.
18 February 2009: Vinyl takes another spin with music lovers: The dominance of digital music is part of what has sparked a resurgent interest in vinyl, say some in the music industry. (HANDOUT / February 3, 2009)
As album sales plummeted in 2008 for the seventh time in eight years, there was one bright spot for a music industry still in love with physical products: Sales of vinyl records increased by nearly 90 percent.
That's right, they still make vinyl. Consumers bought almost 1.9 million new LPs last year, the most since Nielsen SoundScan started keeping track of such things in 1991. That's a mere fraction of the total music sold in 2008 — 1.5 billion units, which accounts for albums, singles, digital tracks and music videos. But it's a strong showing for a format thought to have begun its death spiral with the introduction of the compact disc 25 years ago. [ Full story... ]
04 February 2009: Vinyl: The business duo who believe it's got a big part to play in music's future: Digital music is accessible at the click of a button, CDs are portable and robust, and record players are rare to the point of extinction. Why would anyone buy vinyl in this day and age? "To be really cool," says Mark Wadhwa, one half of the pair behind the Vinyl Factory, which in 2003 rescued the EMI vinyl pressing plant in Hayes from closure. "Everyone can download. If you've got a vinyl record you're different." Pictured to the right are Tim Robinson and Mark Wadhwa believe there is a future in the vinyl format.
01 February 2009: A Sound Experience newsletter: The February edition of the ASE newsletter is available. Read all about the upcoming music day to be held in Pretoria on 21 March; some specials on Rega hardware as well as some new releases. [ Read newsletter... ]
12 January 2009: A haven for vinyl supporters: If you like turntables, cartridges, tonearms and phono stages, then The Listening Room, owned by Durban-based businessman Mike Blake, may just have exactly what you need. The Listening Room supplies turntables by Origin Live and Sota; tonearms by Origin Live and Helius Designs; cartridges by Koetsu and Shelter; turntable accessories by Origin Live; and phono stages by Manley Labs, Sugden and Shelter.
In particular, the range of Origin Live components will suit many tastes and applications, from the stunning upgrade of Rega's RB250/200 arms to the OL1 specced units, to armboards for Linn and Technics turntables, off board power supplies powering DC motor drives. The Listening Room also sells a very accurate digital stylus force gauge.
For more information, visit their web site on The Listening Room.
28 December 2008: A Sound Experience newsletter for January 2009: The January edition of the ASE newsletter is available. [ Download and read... ]
28 December 2008: Have your vinyl pressed in Australia: Now here is some really good news: Zenith Records is an Australian company based in Melbourne that specialises in pressing vinyl records. Not only can you have your records pressed, but they will also assist in mastering.
A really exciting aspect is that Zenith is committed to direct-to-disc recording, a technique that stretches recording technology to its limits. D2D (direct to disc) strips albums of the usual studio-polished sound, leaving just that which was originally intended by the artist(s). Zenith's services go much further than producing your album on vinyl (oh, and they do only vinyl!). Many recording studios would today record an album in the digital domain and then somehow produce an analogue vinyl record from the digital master. This process is not the way to go and Zenith makes sure that your master is prepared for the analogue domain all the way. They will also assist with the design and production of LP covers. Visit Zenith Records by following the link to the right of the page, or by clicking here.
26 December 2008: A Sound Experience now supplies Tacet tube-only recordings: Tacet is a German company specialising in high quality LP, CD, SACD and DVD-A products. For vinyl supporters the allure lies in the availability of high quality, 180 gram pressings of mainly classical muscic. The catalogue includes Beethoven, Mozart, Enriwue Granados, Tchaikovsky, Bériot, Ysa˙e, Elgar, Massenet, Drigo, Schubert, Moszkowski, Kreisler, Ponce/Heifetz and others. Whether you purchase the available titles on vinyl or a digital format, high quality is ensured. More information is available on the search facility. Select Tacet from the Label drop down list and click on Search. The titles are not going to be cheap and will retail in the R450.00 range. Digital versions on SACD, CD and DVD-A may be cheaper and retail between R230.00 (CD) and R290.00 (SACD/DVD-A).
Contact us for ordering or click on Place order to send e-mail about the selected title.
19 December 2008: A Sound Experience newsletter for December 2008: The December edition of the ASE newsletter is available. [ Download and read... ]
12 December 2008: Stockfisch Records shipment available today: If you are looking for top quality vinyl for Christmas, then the latest shipment of Stockfisch 180 gram DMM vinyl may be just what you are looking for. David Roth (Pearl Diver); Sara K (Water Falls); Various (Vinyl Collection Vol 1); Basssface Swing Trio (Tribute to Cole Porter) and The Paperboys (Live in Stockfisch Studios) are available, along with excellent titles on CD, SACD and XRCD. E-mail me for availability and prices. More titles available on Clearaudio, Deutsche Grammophon, Rega and Stockfisch:
12 December 2008: Mabu Vinyl sale! Mabu Vinyl, the well-known Cape Town music store, will be holding its annual half-price sale at its shop in Gardens from 15th to 24th December. All records, CDs, DVDs, and tapes will be 50% off right up until Christmas. [ More information... ]
12 December 2008: Rega's P3-24 is now stock Turntable of the Year 2007 and again in 2008, the P3-24 is a fuss-free unit. It really takes no more than 15 minutes to set it up and then you sit down to musical bliss, right out of the box. For the past two months, units have been sold as fast a they were received from the supplier. Order yours today. The new 24v motor is a dream and its optional off board power supply lifts the turntable into a league much higher than its selling price would want it. Retailing at R8500.00 inclusive, the unit can be delivered being already set up for the client and ready to play, using Rega's Bias or Elys MM cartridge.
04 October 2008: P5 turntable Probably the best value for money of all the Rega turntables, the P5 combines the classic P3 look and feel with the upmarket RB700 arm. The RB700 is capable of carrying very sophisticated moving coil cartridges. While the arm tube is still the classic one piece cast aluminium tube, the bearings and cabling are much higher specced. The optional off board power supply is highly recommended and transforms the turntable to a new level. The unit is available in a black plinth and surround but can also be ordered in wood trim, as shown, at additional cost. Most clients prefer the standard black trim, however. The use of the RB700 arm makes this turntable compete with other turntables much more expensive than itself. It provides additional engineering where it is required most. [ More information... ]
19 December 2008: A Sound Experience newsletter for December 2008: The December edition of the ASE newsletter is available. [ Download and read... ]
12 December 2008: Stockfisch Records shipment available today: If you are looking for top quality vinyl for Christmas, then the latest shipment of Stockfisch 180 gram DMM vinyl may be just what you are looking for. David Roth (Pearl Diver); Sara K (Water Falls); Various (Vinyl Collection Vol 1); Basssface Swing Trio (Tribute to Cole Porter) and The Paperboys (Live in Stockfisch Studios) are available, along with excellent titles on CD, SACD and XRCD. E-mail me for availability and prices. More titles available on Clearaudio, Deutsche Grammophon, Rega and Stockfisch:
Update: By 16:00 this afternoon all vinyl copies of Sara K's Water falls; The Paperboys' Live in Stockfisch Studio; and Bassface Swing Trio's Tribute to Cole Porter were sold out! A few copies of Vinyl Collection and David Roth's Pearl Diver are available.
12 December 2008: Mabu Vinyl sale! Mabu Vinyl, the well-known Cape Town music store, will be holding its annual half-price sale at its shop in Gardens from 15th to 24th December. All records, CDs, DVDs, and tapes will be 50% off right up until Christmas. [ More information... ]
29 May 2008: Get rid of those awful wall wart plugs! Is your multiple socket power arrangement filled with wall wart plugs? Get rid of them today and improve your sound. Dewaudio supplies a PSU with a high quality toroidal transformer and proper connectors. The price of R1100.00 includes a decent power cord. For more information contact Dewald Visser on dewald@greenlizard.co.za. (Click image for a larger view...)
15 May 2008: Vibes Vinyl Looking for some vinyl in the Cape Town area? Alan Hilton from Vibes Vinyl sell vinyl directly to the public. More information is available on his web site, www.vibesvinyl.co.za or you can contact Alan on vibesvinyl@mweb.co.za.
20 March 2008: Naim Label releases Music Collection 3 The Naim Label, one of the most prominent audiophile labels in the UK, has released the third in a series of 180 gram vinyl titles based on their polular Sampler CD series.
Containing tracks similar to the Naim Sampler 6 CD, you now have the chance to hear them in the analogue format, in the high quality presentation Naim Label is known for. Cost is R350.00 and the title is available only on pre-order. [ Contact A Sound Experience ]
11 March 2008: Calling all Rega Planar 2 owners If you are the proud owner of a Rega Planar turntable, you can have it upgraded and brought right up to current specification, making use of our special offer. Replace the motor, drive belt, felt mat and possibly even your old R200 arm, for much less than you think. [ More information... ]
03 March 2008: Cartridge and stylus repair Dewald Visser's Pick-up Cartridge Repair and Service ensures that you are not cash strapped should something happen to your cartridge. Repairs are done to most brands of moving coil cartridge as well as certain moving iron and moving magnet units like the Linn K18 and B&O MMC units. Retipping from as low as R750.00! Various stylus profiles are available - elliptical to fine line. Cartridge check-up service also provided - photograph of stylus tip. Call for further information. Shipping costs excluded. Terms and conditions apply. See side nanner ad to the right.
10 January 2008: Mini hi-fi show, Indaba Hotel, 26 January 2008 You are invited to attend the first of a series of mini hi-fi shows as a lead-up to the SV Expo in September. It takes place on Saturday 26 January 2008, from 09:00 to late and A Sound Experience and The Listening Room will be at the Indaba Hotel, Lecures 09 and 10, for a whole day of music, hi-fi and whatever else goes along with it.
The Listening Room's Mike Blake comes all the way from Durban to showcase some really exquisite vinyl related gear - Sota and Origin Live turntables and arms, Koetsu and Shelter cartridges - as well as a great line up of other equipment such as Vivid Audio and Vandersteen loudspeakers; Manley and Sugden amplification as well as some digital front ends. More information is available on www.thelisteningroom.co.za.
A Sound Experience will be showcasing the Rega line up as well as the usual catalogue of software and accessories. More information is available on www.asoundexperience.co.za and www.rega.co.za. Contact the organisers for more information.
27 December 2007: Heinz Zazcek, 1946 - 2007: This is the one article I wish I would not have to write, yet I somehow knew, after visiting him in early December, that Heinz would not make it to 2008. Heinz passed away on 26 December 2007 after being diagnosed with liver cancer a few months earlier.
I have only fond memories of him, especially in the main demonstration room at the Absolute Sound offices in Rivonia, where he would, on listening to Diana Krall, become lost in his own world and "come back" after the last piano notes had faded. He was a great lover of music and supported the hi-fi industry with passion. He was also a great supporter of vinyl records and I never heard him listening to any other format. To the end he was enthusiastic about the 2008 Sound and Vision Expo and during my last visit we were planning the event. Auf Wiedersehen Heinz!
03 December 2007: The Analogue Groove: In this month's edition: Cleansound on the dirt track; Bach's Christmas Oratorio on vinyl; Second music evening at the Indaba Hotel; Boston Audio Design's Mat One; ZYX 4D MC cartridge; Valve Audio's Whisper phono stage; Welcome to Insanity; Classifieds and much more! [ Read newsletter... ]
07 November 2007: Living in the Western Cape and looking for somewhere to purchase pre-owned vinyl? Mabu Vinyl Cape Town is your answer? These guys have an amazin collection of pre-owned vinyl available from there walk-in store. Please visit them at their shop or on their web site, http://www.sugarmusic.co.za/mabuvinyl.
02 October 2007: Phono repairs: Does your turntable, tonearm or cartridge need a fix? Then contact Dewald Visser to do it for you.
17 August 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 28th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: Benz Micro LP cartridge review, Ryan Adams, Christine Collister album reviews. [ Read newsletter... ]
13 August 2007: Fans Flock to Vinyl In the Era of CD's:
OK, so we all agree that vinyl is the preferred format. But any new story about people rediscovering vinyl is worth reading. More information...
05 November 2007: Music and fun at the Indaba: Join us at the Indaba Hotel, Lecture 09, on 14 November from 16:00 onwards for an afternoon / evening of music and related themes. Vinyl, CD, SACD, XRCD and DVD software as well as the full range of Rega equipment will be on demonstration and on sale. Entrance is absolutely free and the first fourty persons to arrive get a voucher for a drink. Snacks are available (also free). See the Furutech vinyl flattener in action and stand the chance of winning a session where we will sort out your warped LPs! Contact us for more information.
05 November 2007: Top honours for Rega products: The British What Hi Fi Sound and Vision Awards have been announced and two Rega products, the Apollo CD player and P3-24 turntable, not only won in their respective price categories but also won their overall categories for "Products of the Year"! [ More information information on the P3-24 ... ]
16 October 2007: The Analogue Groove: A slight change in the name - now The Analogue Groove issued monthky instead of The Weekly Groove issued weekly, our expert editor from a strange and far off place called Lydenburg brings you a feature packed edition. In this week's edition: Reducing cost of ownwership; JS Bach Christmas Oratorio; Cardas; The Funk Firm; Interview with the president of the Audiophile Club of Athens; Music evening at the Indaba Hotel; Chilly Vinyl second hand records; and much more! [ Read newsletter... ]
16 October 2007: Stating the case for vinyl on the radio: What will we do to promote vinyl? Got a call from Classic FM yesterday morning asking for an interview and realising the value it could add, dashed off to Johannesburg for a ten minute time slot which was broadcast last night. Herewith the soundclip. Eish, it's tough doing your thing in the studio if you are not used to it. But it may be just what we need and I wish to thank Classic FN for the expsure. If the soundclip has any problems playign from the site, contact me and I will send it to you by e-mail.
10 August 2007: Antonio Forcione live in South Africa!:
Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione is on his way to South Africa for four shows - three in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. Such is the interest that the Johannesburg show has already been sold out. A Sound Experience will be the exclusive supplier of The Naim Label's catalogue at the event and we are looking forward to seeing you at the venue. Items are on display before, during and after the show and a range of titles, including all of Antonio's albums, will be available on CD and vinyl. You will also be able to purchase other products supplied by A Sound Experience. Below are some of the titles in the Antonio Forcione catalogue:
20 July 2007: The Weekly Groove: In this week's edition: A Look and listen to the Funk Achromat; Album review: Sara K's Hobo; Advertisements and musch more [ Read letter... ]
19 July 2007: Antonio Forcione live in South Africa: Guitarist Antonio Forcione will be visiting the country during August, doing four shows - three in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. More information is available on the forum. Follow this link.
Five of Forcione's albums are also available on high quality 180 gram vinyl, at R330.00. Order your copy today.
16 July 2007: Back in the groove: young music fans ditch downloads and spark vinyl revival: Here's proof that the vinyl format is anything but dead and is in fact thriving and growing like never before. [ More information... ]
13 July 2007: The Weekly Groove: Editor Dewald Visser explains the gremlins behind the lack of a newsletter this week. Instead, he kindly asks that we resubmit our e-mail details, in order to start from scratch. Eish! [ Read letter... ]
06 July 2007: Accessories you should own: Here are a few items you should own, whether you own a few, or a few thousand records:
RCM fluid |
Sota RCM |
Onzow Z Cloth |
Onzow Zerodust |
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Ortofon 2M Red MM |
Pro-Ject Phonobox 2 |
Pro-Ject Carbon Brush |
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All products are available from A Sound Experience.
06 July 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 26th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: LP reviews from Getz/Gilberto, Lucinda Williams albums; Stereo Musicality now agents for Garrad; Zyx cartridges; Ecosse cabling; acoustics and more. [ Read newsletter... ]
06 July 2007: Forthcoming album reviews: Look out for the August edition of AVSA Magazine, when two excellent titles, Christine Collister's Love and Sara K's Water Falls are reviewed by independent reviewers.
18 May 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 20th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: New Ortofon 2M and Windfeld cartridges; Pink Diamond turntable from Scheu Analog; Valve Audio making waves in Canada; vinyl accessories, and more. [ Read newsletter... ]
05 May 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 19th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: A new look LP12; Demagntising; VPI Aries Scout turntable; Album review: Midnight Sugar, Acher Bilk; sale items and more. [ Read newsletter... ]
26 March 2007: Convert vinyl to CD: Due to the many requests we have had in this regard, feel free to contact Pexicon for all your conversion needs. Contact Dale on dale@pexicon.co.za or visit www.pexicon.co.za for more information.
16 March 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 14th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: A new look LP12; Demagntising; VPI Aries Scout turntable; Album review: Midnight Sugar, Acher Bilk; sale items and more. [ Read newsletter... ]
12 March 2007: New Linn Sondek LP12: Here's one of the first images of the LP12 I could find. Click images for larger view. [ More information... ]
09 March 2007: Product launches at the Indaba Hotel, 08 March 2007: A great success. This is the easiest way to describe the first of what we hope will become a regular feature on the local hi-fi scene. Since there is unlikely to be an annual expo again (good luck to whoever wants to organise it) this method may prove to be the best way to communicate what happens in the hi-fi industry, with the public. Lots of vinyl was sold and the Furutech demonstration certainly caused a WOW! factor to be evident. The next one is already being planned and will most likely feature a full Rega product launch.
09 March 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 13th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: Business at the Indaba; Calexico album review; sale items and more. [ Read newsletter... ]
27 February 2007: Product launches at the Indaba Hotel, 08 March 2007: Mark 08 March 2007, 17:00 to 22:00 in your diary as "My night out". Then on the day, make your way to the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Sandton, and join us for an evening of fun, music, product launches and a good chat. A Sound Experience and AV Cables are hosting the event jointly. AV Cables will be demonstrating the Furutech CD and vinyl demagnitiser; A Sound Experience will be selling vinyl, CD, SACD and accessories; and a cash bar will be available. The first beer or equivalent is on us and there will be some snacks as well, for mahala. At the main gate, turn left, follow the road towards the T-juntion, turn left to the bottom parking area and walk towards the entrance to Lecture 09 and 10, the same spot where the registrations desk was at last years hi-fi expo. You can purchase items at the event and I will allow you to sign your purchase form, take your items and then pay the next day using EFT or cash deposit, as running a credit card machine there is problematic. Vinyl records on sale include Clearaudio; Deutsche Grammophon; Naim and Foné. There are also some stunning Stockfisch titles on CD/SACD and these are not to be missed, even by vinyl die-hards. Send mail to andrieso@iafrica.com to indicate your attendance which allows us to plan accordingly.
27 February 2007: AVSA Magazine, March 2007: Got my third AVSA Magazine for 2007 in the post today and there are some interesting goodies vir vinyl enthusiasts: Rega Research back in SA; A vinyl vs CD debate; Achromat review; article about copying vinyl to CD (yes, there are practical implications for doing so); and two vinyl reviews - Tom Waits and James Brown. This, along with the other industry news, makes for real good reading. Grab your copy today.
24 February 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 11th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: Are you Shure?; Wally Phono Tools; Music and trade evening, 08 March; Analogue and the Digital; Noble Sceptre. [ Read newsletter... ]
19 February 2007: Vinyl records for sale: Billy Domingo has a whole collection of records for sale. Contact Billy on billy@espafrika.com. [ Have a look... ]
19 February 2007: Wally Phono Tools: Looking for tools and expertise to properly set VTA, azimuth, VRA and others on your tone arm? Then Wally Malewicz is a name you will learn to respect. High End Audio has recently been appointed agent for Wally Phono Tools. Have a look on www.highendaudio.co.za for detailed information.
16 February 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 10th edition of The Weekly Groove. In this edition: Armed and dangerous - a look at the SME 309 tonearm; top quality vinyl - Colleen Collister; Vinyl dead? Not a chance - CNN reports; Perpetual Planar - a look at the Rega Planar 3 and some maintenance tips. [ Read newsletter... ]
15 February 2007: Music and demonstration evening at the Indaba Hotel: On 01 March 2007, starting at 17:00, AV Cables and A Sound Experience will host an evening filled with music, demonstrations, discussions, vinyl, CD/SACD/DVD and accessories sales and you are invited. There is no charge at all. Come and listen to the musch discussed Furutech CD and vinyl demagnetiser and hear for yourself if this is all hype or genuine. The latest Foné, Naim Label and Stockfisch titles can be purchased on the spot. The event takes place in Lecture 01, the first conference room on the right, after turning leat the main entrance. Parking is available closeby. For more information contact andrieso@iafrica.com or phone 084 531-8046.
15 February 2007: Vinyl holds out in digital world: According to CNN, vinyl is not about to die and is in fact reviving, to the relief of the many supporters of this format. [ Read more about this... ]
09 February 2007: The Weekly Groove: Here is the 9th edition of The Weekly Groove. See Vinyl South Africa for pervious editions and other information. Remember to check TWG for weblinks embedded in the company logos! [ Read newsletter... ]
02 February 2007: Clearaudio Statement turntable: The clearaudio Statement Turntable is a result of more then two years in research and development, which has led into several patented technical and mechanical features, never seen or realised in turntable designs before. The ultimative state of the art turntable that sets a new standard. The most innovative and beautiful turntable. Available from Absolute Sound. [ Read press kit... ]
02 February 2007: The Weekly Groove: The eight edition of The Weekly Groove is now available and contains a wealth of information for vinyl supporters, including news on new vinyl titles from Fonè Records; interviews, second hand items and much more. [ Read newsletter... ]
31 January 2007: AVSA Magazine, February 2007: Got my first AVSA Magazine for 2007 in the post yesterday and there are some interesting goodies vir vinyl enthusiasts. Furutech manufactures a vinyl and CD demagnetiser and also an LP flattener; Vivid Audio now supplies the Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable and Cobra tonearm; and there are two vinyl reviews. This, along with the other industry news, makes for real good reading. Grab your copy today.
31 January 2007: Vivid Audio supplies Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable and Cobra tonearm: You would be forgiven to think this is a turntable from the sixties when you look at the tonearm. But there's a lot of technology that has gone into a turntable that Michael Fremer has described as simply the best money can buy. [ Read more about it here... ]
29 January 2007: The Naim Label order due soon: The first batch of vinyl and CD on the Naim label is expected in the next two weeks. Stock is limited but of exceptional quality. First ordered, first assisted. Visit A Sound Experience to view more information on the titles and download the order form. At R330.00 the prices of these vinyl titles are slightly higher than the standard price but then these are no ordinary records. CD titles are R200.00 and I have brought in many sampler disks as these give a good indication of what is available.
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DVD
An excellent DVD of a live performance of the Antonio Forcione Quartet is available at R300.00. PAL, zone free.
26 January 2007: Stockfisch Records now available: Stockfisch Records' first shipment was received this morning. There are 10 copies each of the following 180 gram DMM vinyl titles:
There are also amazing titles on CD and SACD and for the first time I can recommend CD/SACD as a worthy medium simply because the material has been recorded well. Titles include the much sought after Sara K:
and a host of others. Information on these titles is available on www.asoundexperience.co.za . Cost is R300.00 for vinyl; CD 200.00 for CD, R240.00 for SACD and R300.00 for DVD. Contact me for more information on andrieso@iafrica.com or phone 084 531-8046. Note that there are some who have pre-ordered and pre-paid and I will deliver your items as arranged previously.
26 January 2007: The Weekly Groove: The sixth edition of The Weekly Groove is now available and contains a wealth of information for vinyl supporters, including news on new vinyl titles from Fonè Records; interviews, second hand items and much more. [ Read newsletter... ]
23 January 2007: Second hand vinyl: There are many sellers out there and vinyl collections are sold for various reasons. The list is located towards the middle of the column on the right and lists are in MS Excel, Word or PDF format. This method has proven to be very successful and this week I was contacted by someone who had sold an entire collection this way!
19 January 2007: Sota Record Cleaning Machines now available: A Sound Experience has just received the first two Sota record cleaners and really, record cleaning could not be simpler. There is nothing to assemble and the unit comes with a bottle of cleaning fluid and a push-dispenser; a brush, connector and instruction manual.
The dispenser screws on in the place of the bottle's cap and fits neatly into the corner of the unit, with only the dispenser visible. Put on LP, press dispenser to release fluid. Start machine on platter turn only, scrub with the very neat brush, switch over to platter and suction and four or five rotations the disk is sucked dry. Loosen clamp, turn over LP and repeat.
A Sound Experience sells the unit for R4900.00 and stock is available immediately. I will deliver in the Pretoria / Midrand / Sandton area. Give me a call on andrieso@iafrica.com if you are interested.
19 January 2007: The Weekly Groove: The sixth edition of The Weekly Groove is now available and contains a wealth of information for vinyl supporters, including news on new vinyl titles; an interview with amplfier designer Schalk Havenga; a look at the Sota record cleaning machine and much more. [ Read newsletter... ] There is also a special edition, to accommodate an additional article.
16 January 2007: Linn's LP12 upgraded: If you are a Linnie then the following bit of information may already have reached your ears. If not, and for the rest, Linn have made some changes to the LP12, of which the new Ekos SE arm is said to be the biggest leap. The Keel is a new, one piece, armboard and sub-chassis machined from aluminium. Then there is also a new baseboard, the Trampolin II. [ More information... ]
12 January 2007: The Weekly Groove: The fifth edition of The Weekly Groove is now available and contains a wealth of information for vinyl supporters. [ Read newsletter... ]
07 January 2007: The Weekly Groove: The first edition of The Weekly Groove for 2007 is now available and contains a wealth of information for vinyl supporters. [ Read newsletter... ]
04 January 2007: Vinyl SA web site sponsor for 2007: Our web site sponsor for 2007 is High End Audio. Owner Roy Davis is the importer for established and recognised brands such as Jadis, Ear/Yoshoino, Dynavector, VPI, Nitty Gritty, Grado, SME and Ringmat Developments. Particulary fond of vinyl replay, you will be able to source some of the very best in turntables, tone arms, cartridges and phono stages. And of course you need to keep those records clean and so you need to consider purchasing a Nitty Gritty or VPI record cleaning machine, along with some excellent cleaning concentrate. [ Visit the High End Audio web site... ]
03 January 2007: Stockfisch, Clearaudio, Deutsche Grammophon, Linn and Naim Records: A great variety of 180 gram vinyl pressings by Stockfisch, Clearaudio and Deutsche Grammophon is now available through A Sound Experience. [ More information and ordering details as originally published on the forum... ] [ Visit web site... ]
28 December 2006: Hi-Fi News Turntable of the Year, 2006: The Hi-Fi News Turntable of the Year, 2006 award has gone to the Basis Audio 2200 Signature turntable. The other two finalists were the Linn Sondek LP12 and the Oracle Delphi V.
More details can be obtained on www.basisaudio.com.
28 November 2006: Acoustic Design Services: If you are looking for excellent hi-fi products that won't break the bank, then Acoustic Design Services have the answer. Just launched, the Acoustic Design Services web site showcases a range of products for both multi-channel and stereo applications. And to make things even more appealing to new visitors, owner Johan Nel offers some great specials using NAD, PSB and Mission products.
15 December 2006: The Weekly Groove: The third edition of The Weekly Groove is available. [ Read newsletter... ]
08 December 2006: The Weekly Groove: The second edition of the new newsletter, now steered by Dewald Visser, is available. [ Read newsletter... ]
01 December 2006: The Weekly Groove: Here it is! The first edition of the new newsletter, now steered by Dewald Visser, is available. [ Read newsletter... ]
28 November 2006: The old and the new: an interesting mix: Think Deutsche Grammophon and the only thing that comes to mind is the the best of classical music, some of it a few hundred years old. Think Sting, The Police, Every Breath You Take and other eighties and nineties songs come to mind. Now get hi-fi manufacturer Clearaudio to bring Deutsche Grammophon and Sting together and you get Songs from the Labyrinth. Songs from the Labyrinth sees Sting in an entirely new role of interpreting music from the late 15th and early 16th centuries and originally composed by John Dowland and Robert Johnson.
Sting ventures into "new" musical territory with an album featuring the music of acclaimed Elizabethan songwriter, John Dowland. Sting is joined on this recording by much-admired lutenist Edin Karamazov, in what he describes as "a soundtrack to Dowland's life in words and music". Songs from the Labyrinth appears on Deutsche Grammophon, the world's most celebrated classical-music record-label. - www.sting.com
Available from A Sound Experience at only R300.00. Call +27 (0)72 235-9818 for more information on other high quality vinyl, CD, SACD and DVD products.
[ More information... ]27 November 2006: The Weekly Groove: Just when some of the vinyl supporters thought all was lost, good news is on the horison. Vinyl enthusiast Dewald Visser has offered to take over the Vinyl SA newsletter, from now on called The Weekly Groove. While this newsletter will run independently from Vinyl SA, we will still support the newsletter through contributions. For more information please contact Dewald Visser.
16 November 2006: New AKUS album released, finally: One of the most long awaited releases, Alison Krauss and Union Station's live album, has landed. Now there are only 3000 copies, each hand numbered by Mobile Fidelity and thus it is already a collector's item.
Now the price of R510.00 may seem very expensive, but consider that it is presented as a boxed set, with three disks, superb technical production and mind blowing sound quality, then the price becomes irrelevant. And if like me you have the ability to approach Missus the right way, it can become your early Christmas present. It also has the advantage that you can get it now; don't have to pay for it; and by the time Christmas comes, she will pity you and buy you another present, just so you don't feel neglected come Christmas morning. Now how do I know this? Simply because I have tried the trick successfully in the past (Christmas 2004, Classic Records's 200 gram re-issue of CNSY's Deja Vu) and I am convinced it will work again. Below is Music Direct's assessment of the album: [ More information... ]
24 November 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 04 for November 2006: In the [ fourth and last newsletter for November ] you can read all about:
17 November 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 03 for November 2006: In the [ third newsletter for November ] you can read all about:
10 November 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 02 for November 2006: In the [ second newsletter for November ] you can read all about:
03 November 2006: Swart Kringe in die Bos II: We are pleased to announce the second vinyl faire, to be held next week. The details you should take note of are:
| DATE | Saturday 11 November 2006 |
| TIME | 11.00am to 3.30pm |
| VENUE | Country Pub No.35 Main Road Kyalami |
03 November 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 01 for November 2006: In the [ first newsletter for November ] you can read all about:
27 October 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 05 for October 2006: In the [ fifth newsletter for October ] you can read all about:
13 October 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 03 for October 2006: In the [ third newsletter for October ] you can read all about:
27 October 2006: Demagnetising your LPs: As weird as this sounds, it makes perfect technical sense! AV Cables now supplies a range of Furutech products and this includes the deMag, said to remove magnetism and improve sound quality. The newsletter contains the detail.
20 October 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 04 for October 2006: In the [ fourth newsletter for October ] you can read all about:
11 October 2006: New releases: Some very interesting vinyl releases have taken place recently:
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YES: FRAGILE: Propelled by the timeless hit "Roundabout," Yes' fourth album, Fragile, became an instant classic and is undoubtedly one of prog-rock's finest moments. It was the first Yes record to feature Rick Wakeman on keyboards and the first to display the inimitable artwork of Roger Dean. And it's now been remastered by the incomparable team of Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering. Typical of Kevin and Steve's work, this version of Fragile is warmer, richer and airier than the 1971 original. Rediscover a classic. By far the most successful and enduring progressive rock group ever, Yes have been navigating the sonic stratosphere for more than three decades. Weathering myriad personnel changes and as many musical trends, their popularity has endured like granite. As Q Magazine put it, Yes are "the long haired dads of Radiohead." |
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ALISON KRAUSS AND UNION STATION: LIVE!: Live is the first collection of live recordings ever released from Alison Krauss and Union Station. Recorded on their spring 2002 tour, this 3-LP set, includes versions of classic Alison Krauss + Union Station songs such as "When You Say Nothing At All" and "Baby, Now That I've Found You" from their double-platinum Now That I've Found You, "The Lucky One" and "Let Me Touch You For Awhile" from last year's gold-selling New Favourite, and "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Down to the River to Pray" from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. The outstanding set from Mobile Fidelity captures Alison Krauss and her band Union Station on the heels of their most successful release, New Favourite. One of the finest sounding, live acoustic recordings we have ever heard, this offers you a glimpse into a recording venue like no other. The spaciousness of this recording and the intimacy of the performance can easily be heard on this amazing remastering job by Mobile Fidelity, you will feel transported into the audience of this incredible concert. Twenty-five career spanning tracks, from their traditional bluegrass roots to their more recent pop-oriented tunes, the recording, the playing and the voices are all impeccable. This release is not to be missed! |
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LINDA RONSTADT: HEART LIKE A WHEEL: It's often said that this 1974 set, Ronstadt's true commercial breakthrough after a half decade's worth of minor hits, set the formula for the platinum successes to follow: some underrecognized singer/songwriter jewels, a couple of semi-obscure early rock tunes, always with something for country radio as well as Top 40 to grab hold of. But Heart Like a Wheel does it with a magic Ronstadt and her L.A. session crew would never touch again; for one thing, she was rarely again as convincingly tough ("You're No Good") or as fragile (the Anna McGarrigle-penned title track) as she is here. |
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MEATLOAF: BAT OUT OF HELL III: Bat Out of Hell III is Meat Loaf's long-awaited 3rd installment of the most successful rock music series of all time, with the two previous albums selling a total of 45 million copies around the world. Bat Out of Hell, released in 1977 and produced by Todd Rundgren, is the third best-selling album of all time, with 30 million copies sold worldwide, featuring such Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman standards as "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth" and the show-stopping "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights." Bat Out of Hell III continues the epic story in grand fashion, with contributions once again from Steinman and Rundgren, and produced by hit maker Desmond Child. Bat Out of Hell III marks the triumphant return of the Bat Out of Hell saga, completing this remarkable trilogy! |
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THE WHO: TOMMY: Michael Fremer writes: It's worth picking up just for the added luster and resolve of Daltrey's stunning vocal performance. The sonic clarity of this reissue strips away a bit of the original's mystery but it's a worthwhile tradeoff for the detail it reveals. Sort of like cleaning years of grime from an old fresco. As for the music, Who revisionists tend to discount Tommy relative to older Who albums like Sell Out, but in America at least, The Who were tiny until this album put them on the musical map. I saw them perform "Tommy" in front of a few hundred people at the Boston Tea Party in the fall of 1969. By early next winter they'd sold out the Boston Armory thanks to the pull of the second rock opera (the first being "S.F. Sorrow" by The Pretty Things). Almost forty years later when the band launches into the finale's "Listening to you I get the music" chorus it still brings chills. This Classic Records reissue is one of the label's finest efforts physically and sonically and is one you will not regret buying, if just for what it reveals about Daltrey's exceptionally nuanced performance. Kudos to all involved! |
More information will appear in this week's newsletter.
08 October 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 02 for October 2006: In the [ second newsletter for October ] you can read all about:
01 October 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 01 for October 2006: In the [ first newsletter for October ] you can read all about:
With the Sound and Vision Expo 2006 behind us, you can look forward to the normal contributions consisting of album reviews; events featuring vinyl and much more. The expo has again stirred up interest for the medium which is growing with leaps and bounds. Send us your contributions and if you do not yet subscribe to our weekly newsletter, complete the Join mailing list, top left of this page.
We have had a few spamming attempts on the forum later and have removed potential "members" who have provided dubious e-mail addresses that also bounced when tested.
08 September 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 02 for September 2006: In the [ second newsletter for September ] you can read all about:
01 September 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 01 for September 2006: In the [ first newsletter for September ] you can read all about:
24 August 2006: Vinyl SA newsletter 04 for August 2006: This is a bumper issue and by far the longest one we have had. In the [ fourth newsletter for August ] you can read all about:
22 August 2006: High End Audio appointed as agent for Graham Engineering: High End Audio has pleasure in announcing that it has been appointed official SA distributor for Graham Engineering manufacturers of one of the world's finest tonearms and cartridges, the Graham Phantom B-44 and Nightingale respectively. The Phantom is the latest design from Graham and incorporates all of their design knowledge accumulated over many years.
Michael Fremer, in a recent Stereophile review, rated the combination of the SME30/2 turntable and the Graham 2.2 unipivot tonearm to be the finest combination in the World even surpassing the sonic achievements of the Rockport Sirius III airbearing, linear tracking turntable/arm combination. The Graham Phantom has superceeded and is superior to the Model 2.2, Fremer's favorite arm, incoporating a number of unique design features of which some are pending patents. These include a ceramic, removable armtube; low-memory and high conductivity phosphor bronze connectors; Teflon and silicone insulated 4-nines solid and litz silver wire as well as a unique neutral balance design system, which is the most desirable type, as opposed to stable and unstable design systems of other unipivots.
This system is combined with Graham's 'Magnaglide' magnetic stabilization system providing the highest level of lateral stability as well as azimuth adjustability, damping assist, true vertical pivoting of the stylus tip and easily adjustable anti-skate. The Phantom fits all makes of turntable.
The Nightingale cartridge is a joint development between Graham Engineering and Immutable Music makers of Transfiguration cartridges. The coils are unique to the Nightingale and are of 5-nines silver wire. Graham Engineering designed and machine the cartridge body out of grade 6061 aluminum allow and bond to it a stainless steel generator support assembly. The cartridge mounting threads are in stainless steel inserts for rigidity. The assembly is then sent to Immutable Music for installation of the motor unit. The Nightingale is available as a stand-alone unit for fitment to all makes of arm or as an integral unit bonded to the Phantom arm elinating the need for alignment on the part of the user.
More information is available on www.highendaudio.co.za and www.graham-engineering.com.
22 August 2006: Updated supplier information for analogue products: Vinyl SA gets a lot of e-mail requesting information on sourcing turntables, tone arms, cartridges, phono stages and related accessories in South Africa. In order to provide the service as efficiently as possible, the web site's current pages for turntables, tone arms, cartridges and phono stages have been updated, with the help of local suppliers. Should you look for a distributor or product, use the menu at the top of the page to navigate to the particular section. Full contact details are provided.
22 August 2006: Audiophile quality turntable to be designed and manufactured locally: Now this will make the audio world stand up and take notice! For the past year, Harold Day, owner of Audio and Engineering Consultants, has been feeding me with little bits of information about what can only be described as a much needed area of development for the audio industry in this country - a locally designed and built turntable. He explains:
On the Research and Development project front, our reference turntable is coming along very nicely and although it won't be ready for the expo it should be up and running before December, with the advanced suspension design currently nearing completion. Thereafter, Laser cutting of materials for the base and sub-chassis will be finalized. With an ultra stable 4 point, linear suspension that maintains perfect lateral alignment under all conditions and is totally sub-chassis rotation resistant the results will be heard as having isolation, transient response and pitch control second to none.
The design is highly innovative and puts into practice the strict laws of physics that virtually all turntables break in the pursuit of commercialism. The result of many years of applied physics focussed on the ultimate turntable design will be a revelation in itself, most of the design criteria having been developed over the last fifteen years with prototypes of the many ideas cumulating in a precision instrument that from a distance doesn't even look like a turntable. We have yet to choose a name for this new generation of turntable but we will focus on that closer to the launch time. More information on Van den Hul products is available on the web site www.aeconsultants.co.za.
22 August 2006: The Little Willies - Norah Nones Project: News just in is the release of the The Little Willies - Norah Jones Project. The self-titled debut by The Little Willies is an album that perfectly distills the fun, down-to-earth spirit of this New York band's club shows. The group – Lee Alexander (bass), Jim Campilongo (electric guitar), Norah Jones (piano, vocals), Richard Julian (guitar, vocals) and Dan Rieser (drums) – tears through a mix of covers and originals, from the revved-up western swing of Fred Rose's "Roly Poly" and Willie Nelson's "I Gotta Get Drunk" to the cutting wit of Kris Kristofferson's "Best Of All Possible Worlds"; from the poignancy of Townes Van Zandt's "No Place To Fall" to the cosmic absurdity of their own "Lou Reed".
The Little Willies formed for purely practical reasons. In 2003, the group of five friends, who were all individually involved in other projects, booked a gig at The Living Room on New York's Lower East Side as an excuse to spend an evening playing music together. They soon discovered that they shared a deep musical vernacular. The members of The Little Willies all grew up listening to a certain breed of classic American music: the songs of Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt and Kris Kristofferson, to name a few.
Over the next couple years, The Little Willies continued to play, adding a few originals to their setlist along the way. The group initially contemplated a live album, but when Jones and Alexander completed work on their home studio, they decided to christen the space with a Little Willies recording session. The resulting album showcases the group's core strengths, while maintaining the loose, spirited, bar-band feel of The Little Willies' live experience. Songs include Roly Poly, I'll Never Get Out, Love Me, Its Not You Its Me, Best of all Possible Worlds, No Place to Fall, Roll On, Gotta Get Drunk, Streets of Baltimore, Easy as the Rain, Tennessee Stud, NightLife and Lou Reed.
The Classic Records deluxe gatefold LP edition was cut directly from the 1/2" analog master tapes and includes a bonus 7" single of two alternate tunes: "Milking Bull" and "For the Good Times" which have not been released in any other form. As always, the mastering was done on Classic's "ALL TUBE" stereo cutting system by Bernie "The Wizard" Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood. The pressings are 200 gram Super Vinyl Profile discs. Highly Recommended!.
22 August 2006: Tonearm made of balsa wood: A week or so ago (see Newsletter 02 for August 2006) the newsletter featured a DIY project by Dewald Visser from Lydenburg who has tackled the daunting task of designing a tonearm, made of balsa wood! I asked Dewald to explain the concept:
The concept of a balsa wood tonearm works in principle because of the low mass of the arm. Irrespective of the tracking force, very little stress is put on the stylus. Arms made of aluminium obviously have a relatively high mas and this could result in a left to right pendelum effect of 1 to 3 hz. This in turn leads to "woofer pumping" which is detrimental to the operation of the amplifier and loudspeakers. Companies such as SME use viscous systems to damp the resulting resonance. While this works, it again places a lot of stress on the stylus. Lateral stress restrict the cartridge's high frequency characteristics.
A light arm will ride the LP's groove a lot easier since it has free lateral movement, with no damping to prevent pendelum action. The balsa wood absorbs a lot of surplus vibration from the stylus and is also too light to generate a pendelum action. Light anti skating is applied because of the free movement characteristics of the arm. It is possible to manufacture the arm from kevlar but carbon fibre tends tp have a nasty "ring" to it. While I will not under estimate the use of exotic materials in tone arm design, balsa wood has so far solved problems more exotic have not.
18 August 2006: Newsletter 03 for August 2006: In the [ second newsletter for August ] you can read all about:
11 August 2006: Newsletter 02 for August 2006: In the [ second newsletter for August ] you can read all about:
04 August 2006: Newsletter 01 for August 2006: In the [ first newsletter for August ] you can read all about:
28 July 2006: Newsletter 04 for July 2006: In the [ fourth newsletter for July ] you can read all about:
21 July 2006: Newsletter 03 for July 2006: In the [ third newsletter for July ] you can read all about:
14 July 2006: Newsletter 02 for July 2006: In the [ second newsletter for July ] you can read all about:
07 July 2006: Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett dies: The Crazy Diamond is no more. Syd Barrett, once the frontman for supergroup Pink Floyd passed away on 11 July 2006, aged 60. [ Read more... ]
07 July 2006: Newsletter 01 for July 2006: In the [ first newsletter for July ] you can read all about:
15 July 2006: Dave Alvin: Blackjack David
"Blackjack David is a phenomenal Americana blues record from former Blasters singer/songwriter/lead guitarist Dave Alvin, and everyone who has heard it has had his or her socks knocked off! An amazing storyteller, Alvin received incredible accolades for this recording including Stereophile Magazine's Record of the Month in August of 1998! It is a record of incredible depth, both sonically and lyrically. MFSL engineers told us, "When we heard the original analog master tape for the first time, everyone in the room's jaws dropped. The emotional experience of hearing what Alvin and his incredible band captured in the studio was absolutely stunning!" The album, mastered using Mobile Fidelity's GAIN 2 Ultra Analog System also features new liner notes from Dave Alvin and Americana newspaper columnist and music critic Dave Hoekstra. Trust us on this one! This title is limited to only 1000 copies. Get yours before they disappear." - MusicDirect
30 June 2006: Newsletter 05 for June 2006: In the [ fifth newsletter for June ] you can read all about:
24 June 2006: Newsletter 04 for June 2006: In the [ fouth newsletter for June ] you can read all about:
15 June 2006: Newsletter 03 for June 2006: In the [ third newsletter for June ] you can read all about:
09 June 2006: Newsletter 02 for June 2006: In the [ second newsletter for June ] you can read all about:
02 June 2006: Newsletter 01 for June 2006: In the [ first newsletter for June ] you can read all about:
26 May 2006: Newsletter 04 for May 2006: In the [ fourth newsletter for May ] you can read all about:
19 May 2006: Album of the week: A welcome break from all the female vocal I have been listening to recently, Donald Fagen's new release, Morph the Cat, certainly gets my vote. A stunning production by a much more mature Fagen than on The Nightfly, this new release is worth every cent of the R295.00 I paid for it. Spread over two disks, it is a technical miracle, no doubt fuelled on by Fagen's preference for vinyl. This is going to be hard to beat.
But if only a pair of glasses was supplied to read the yellow text on the white background, then things would be perfect...
19 May 2006: Newsletter 03 for May 2006: In the [ third newsletter for May ] you can read all about:
14 May 2006: Album covers and labels: Paranoid? You bet! Vinyl records have amazing cover art which often spills over onto the labels. We look at some interesting labels stuck on your black stuff. [ More information and images... ]
12 May 2006: Newsletter 02 for May 2006: In the [ second newsletter for May ] you can read all about:
11 May 2006: Madeleine Peyroux: Whereas in the past Mobile Fidelity Soundlab would have concentrated on the re-issue of mainstream music, the newly revived "Mofi" does things a little differently. Looking at recent releases (ignoring John Lennon) the catalogue consists of largely unknown artists - Aimee Mann, Los Lobos, Richard Thompson, Primius, Dave Alvin, Isaac Hayes, Alison Krauss and Madeleine Peyroux do not exactly count as "mainstream artists" whose music you will buy on CD in Pick 'n Pay. In fact, even a well known music outlet in Johannesburg looked dumbfounded when asked about the music of Alison Krauss.
But Mobile Fidelity have certainly played their cards right as never before have their releases been so warmly accepted as with the new round of vinyl. And if you have never heard of Madeleine Peyroux, here's your chance to get to know her.
05 May 2006: Newsletter 01 for May 2006: In the [ first newsletter for May ] you can read all about:
04 May 2006: Aimee Mann's Bachelor No 2 released: Finally! After many months of promises by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, the Aimee Mann album Bachelor No 2 is finally ready for shipping. In case you are wondering why it has taken so long, keep in mind that Mobile Fidelity uses the pressing facility of Classic Records and there is obviously a tight schedule, given the constant new releases by the latter. Here's some handy information:
The intense emotional intimacy of this masterpiece is fully realized via Mobile Fidelity's proprietary GAIN 2 (Greater Ambient Information Network) mastering process which enables the maximum amount of musical information to be extracted from the original master recording. Bachelor No. 2 or "The last remains of the dodo" was recorded at the same time as Aimee Mann's soundtrack to the film Magnolia (in fact, this album contains four of the same songs). The multi-layered keyboards and interwoven guitars provided this former 'Til Tuesday lead singer and songwriter with the perfect backdrop for her distinctive and intimate voice. Not quite a song cycle, the dark and incisive lyrics are melded with gorgeous melodies. Her collaborators include producer Jon Brion, Heartbreaker pianist Benmont Tench, singers Juliana Hatfield and Grant Lee Phillips, and most significantly in many capacities, Michael Penn. The meticulously mix was handled by Bob Clearmountain. From Rolling Stone's four-star review to Entertainment Weekly's picking it as one of the top 10 albums of 2000 to England's Mojo describing its "scintillating brilliance," this disc is universally acclaimed as the work of one of America's most exquisite songwriters. The complete illustrated lyrics are included.
26 April 2006: Newsletter 04 for April: In the [ fourth newsletter for April ] you can read all about:
23 April 2006: Hi-Fi News Analogue Test LP: Before you buy a new and expensive turntable, put the salesman and his product through the ultimate test - the Hi-Fi News Analogue Test LP! And I am sure most will fail dismally.
Not only should any respectable seller of turntables have one of these LPs but you should have one too. Certainly mechanically the most intricate part of any hi-fi setup, the cartridge, tonearm and turntable need to be set up perfectly or as well as possible. And this tool will show where the weak spots are. But be prepared to be shocked! [ More information... ]
21 April 2006: Newsletter 03 for April: In the [ third newsletter for April ] you can read all about:
23 March 2006: Newsletter 04 for March: In the [ fourth newsletter for March ] you can find more information on:
17 March 2006: Newsletter 03 for March: In the [ third newsletter for March ] you can find more information on:
09 March 2006: Newsletter 02 for March: In the [ second newsletter for March ] you can find more information on:
03 March 2006: Newsletter 01 for March: In the [ first newsletter for March ] you can find more information on:
24 February 2006: Newsletter 04 for February 2006: In the [ fourth newsletter for February ] you can find more information on:
20 February 2006: Forum: Above are live feeds to the forum's latest entries. Join in the discussions and stand a chance to win a prize. What is it and what do you have to do? A R200.00 voucher to purchase whatever you want from Audio Nut can be yours. All you have to do is to register if you have not already done so, and start a new topic (don't reply to someone else's thread) on the forum My Analogue System. Place your system here. I will then ask a volunteer from AVSA to nominate the system he / she would be happy to live with, based on value for money. If that's your system, you can contact Mark so long and use your R200.00 voucher, compliments of Vinyl SA. The closing date is 21:00, Tuesday 28 February 2006. Easy, isn't it?
20 February 2006: Forum: Above are live feeds to the forum's latest entries. Join in the discussions and stand a chance to win a prize. What is it and what do you have to do? A R200.00 voucher to purchase whatever you want from Audio Nut can be yours. All you have to do is to register if you have not already done so, and start a new topic (don't reply to someone else's thread) on the forum My Analogue System. Place your system here. I will then ask a volunteer from AVSA to nominate the system he / she would be happy to live with, based on value for money. If that's your system, you can contact Mark so long and use your R200.00 voucher, compliments of Vinyl SA. The closing date is 21:00, Tuesday 28 February 2006. Easy, isn't it?
20 February 2006: AVSA Magazine, March 2006: Early bird catches the worm! Yep, if you subscribe to AVSA Magazine, your copy should be in the mailbox. Mine is, and yet I live in the nether regions of South African civilization (Pretoria). So dash off to the box now, or if you don't subscribe, you will have to wait a while. A few things vinyl supporters can look forward to are: Deon's editorial comment on the lack of free time we seem to have lately; Manley stereo valve amp reviewed; two excellent vinyl reviews (I have Avalon and it is really a great LP) and other articles to keep you busy for a while.
16 February 2006: Newsletter 03 for February: In the [ third newsletter for February ] you can find more information on:
14 February 2006: Vector Link upgrade for the LP12: Now this is sure to raise a few eyebrows. 
Most of us who either now own, or have owned in the past, an LP12, are (were) probably of the sort who insisted that our LP12 stays exactly as Sir Ivor designed it, even if it isn't always the best option. The stupid felt mat comes to mind here. But if you are a "conformist Linnie" then the Vector Link may change your perception and you could end up with a really funky looking Linn which is said to perform a lot better than the standard item. The following link was sent to me by Guillaume Lemaire from Croak Audio Exploration: eBay (link description shortened).
Now when I look at the image I see some things that I like: A carbon fibre top plate that is shiny; a platter that does not fade or get finger marks; a new platter mat (Achromat) which I am sure will not stick to my LPs; and a non-Linn arm. But it's the inside that gets most of the attention: There's a new DC motor; an aluminium / balsa laminate sub-chassis; new motor drive circuit and a three pulley drive system.
Of course you won't be performing this sort of upgrade yourself and I wonder if there is anyone locally who will be able to do this. The article explains in a funky way what is done and even those who are not rocket scientists in the are of things hi-fi should see the sense behind it all. And why is it that I am suddenly missing my LP12? Luckily I can still buy it back from Euan...
14 February 2006: New Vinyl SA Forum / Discussion Board: After our discussion forum which ran well for over a year suddenly disappeared, it's with pleasure that we can announce a new forum on the Vinyl SA domain. Register and join in the discussions.
14 February 2006: Radio DJ looking for vinyl: It's amazing to hear that many new vinyl "converts" are not antiques like me who grew up with vinyl as the only medium for storing music, but are in fact youngsters who are introduced to it in clubs where only vinyl is played. Radio DJ Feddo Renier is looking for records by South African artists like Abstract truth, Freedom's children, Suck, Mc Cully Workshop, Otis Waygood, Third eye, etc. He says he has a huge collection so you can also swop. You can contact Feddo on f.renier@kennisnet.org.
10 February 2006: Newsletter 02 for February: This is a bumper edition. In the second newsletter for February you can find more information on:
03 February 2006: Newsletter 01 for February: It's already the first week of February and the recent December holidays don't feel so recent anymore! The first newsletter for February is avalaible. For more information, view the first newsletter for February, in which you can read more about:
30 January 2006: Sota LCP record cleaning machines soon available in Gauteng and adjacent provinces: As from April 2006 the Sota LPC record cleaner will be available from Music in the Home (The Listening Room) through distribution by Vinyl South Africa in Gauteng and adjacent provinces. [ More information... ]
27 January 2006: Newsletter 04 for January: For more information, view the fourth newsletter for January, in which you can read more about:
20 January 2006: Newsletter 03 for January: For more information, view the third newsletter for January, in which you can read more about:
13 January 2006: Newsletter 02 for January: For more information, view the second newsletter for January, in which you can read more about:
06 January 2006: Newsletter 01 for January: For more information, view the first newsletter for January, in which you can read more about:
New Year's Concert 2006: Anyone with the tiniest speck of interest in classical music would have been delighted by the live transmission of A New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, annually held on 01 January. Watching this event once again made me plan my first live outing for 2006. In addition, it shows that even the best sounding recorded music in any format is but a grey scaled version of the live colour image which is the live performance.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Not a great DVD in terms of sound and video quality, but for nostalgic reasons a must buy. A look at the legenrady band and where to purchase the entire CCR selection of albums.30 December 2005: Newsletter 05 for December: For more information, please fifth newsletter for December and the last for 2005.
24 December 2005: Newsletter 04 for December: For more information, please fourth newsletter for December.
15 December 2005: Newsletter 03 for December: For more information, please third newsletter for December.
05 December 2005 2005: Audio and Engineering Consultants: It has taken a long time, due to complexity and number of products, but the Audio and Engineering Consultants web site is ready and will be launched on Friday, 09 December 2005. Owner Harold Day and myself as developer really had our hands full to meet the stringent demands set by either. The demise of many commercial web sites is usually the fact that there are many bells and whistles and no sensible content. With a web site of this nature the technical accuracy of content is critical since the target audience is the person who already has a good idea what he wants and needs proper technical specifications available to him, in printable format. The web site aims to promote many of the Van den Hul products - loudspeaker cables, interlinks, cartridges and connectors as well as announcing various add-on services, such as the rewiring of tone arms.
Harold and colleague Gunter Steinhart from Steinhart Audio are planning big things for the 2006 expo. While this year saw them putting up only a static display and to test the waters, next year they will have the standard static display but in addition will also man at least two demonstration rooms. No doubt the Steinhart amplifiers will feature strongly here as the heart of the systems and I am sure that Van den Hul cartridges will be heard strutting their stuff. On which turntable? Ah, that's the secret that I am not allowed to spill the beans about. At least not now. Let's just say that I have seen glimpses of what is being planned and if it sounds even half as good as it looks, we are in for a real treat.
04 December 2005 2005: The Listening Room web site released: Now available to the public is the web site of Durban based businessman Mike Blake. The Listening Room is Mike's commercial web site showcasing a fantastic array of high end products - Vandersteen loudspeakers; Origin Live tone arms, turntables, cabling and rewiring services; Manley valve amplification; Shanling digital players; Shelter cartridges; and Sota turntables. Origin Live? Shelter? Sota? There's never been as much movement in the analogue sector of the hi-fi market than in 2005. And there has NEVER been such a vast choice of analogue gear in this country. Gone are the days where your choice was limited to Dual, Rega and Linn turntables. These manufacturers, especially the latter two, had better pull up their socks, and fast, or be overpowered by the newer and often better products.
The Listening Room has as its focus the pure enjoyment of music, no matter whether digital or analogue. And isn't it great that it is called the listening room and not the hi-fi room? The focus should never be on the products, but the music. However, since hi-fi buyers will also want to see specifications on paper, these are there. Every single product is indicated with an appropriate image, specifications and comments by respected publications and reviewers. Easily grouped for quick access, you can visit any product with a single click, no matter where you are on the site. Again, as with the Audio and Engineering Consultants web site, this is a no frills site. Forget about Flash introductions that require plugins to work; text scrolling so much that even a fighter pilot becomes dizzy, and other paraphernalia. You get a product based site, no more and no less. Be sure to visit Mike's site on www.listeningroom.co.za.
09 December 2005: Newsletter 02 for December: For more information, please second newsletter for December.
25 November 2005 2005: Newsletter 04 for November: For more information, please view the fourth newsletter for November.
22 November 2005 2005: Diana Krall: Christmas songs: If like me you like the music of Diana Krall, you will appreciate the news that this Canadian singer will be releasing a Christmas album. And before you say that they all do it for the commercial gain, let's keep in mind that very few artists would dare to issue such an album if it will ruin their reputation and usually it will be only those whose careers are gasping for fresh air anyway. But Ms Krall (actually Mrs Costello!) has none of those problems and can thus afford to release a "Christmas album". I don't think her version of "Jingle Bells" will be played in shopping centre hallways but then that's not her style either.
The Music Direct web site states the upcoming release as follows:
DIANA KRALL/CHRISTMAS SONGS (200g LP)
Diana Krall sings like she truly loves the holidays and holiday songs. On this beautiful production by Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmidt, Diana is accompanied by the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra on tunes including holiday standards like "Jingle Bells", "Let it Snow", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "White Christmas." and "I'll Be Home for Christmas". Diana Krall swings like nobody's business on what will likely be the best holiday jazz record of the season. What makes this album truly special is the fact that it holds up as both a Christmas album and as a jazz record. It's perfect for chestnut-roasting weather, but you could also see spinning it in mid-July just for kicks. It's not mere hyperbole to say that this record sounds like an instant classic, appealing to everyone and not just jazz fans. Mastered from the original two track ˝" analog masters by Bernie Grundman on Classic's "All Tube" cutting system and pressed for optimal playback on Classic's 200g Quiex Super Vinyl Profile the sound is fantastic - Diana is in the house. So, if you're looking for a hip way to jazz up the holiday for the whole family, Diana Krall's Christmas Songs is exactly what you need.
23 November 2005 2005: Album review of the week: Stevie Ray Vaughan: Coundn't stand the weather: Discovered by David Bowie who saw him live at a festival, Stevie Ray Vaughan played some guitar on Bowie's "Lets Dance" album and was subsequently signed to the Epic label. He released his debut album "Texas flood" in 1983 to critical and commercial success. This debut also re-invigorated the languishing blues scene at the time and introduced a major new talent to the world. Coming from Austin, Texas, with a powerful and visceral approach to blues rock, he had a style that was recognizably influenced by previous electric blues giants, and Hendrix in particular, but still uniquely his own.
This style was well and truly developed by the time he released his second album, "Couldn't stand the weather", a follow-up proving his debut wasn't a one time deal. On this album Stevie Ray expanded his playing still further, combining slow blues burners like "Tin Pan Alley" and "The things I used to do" with blistering quick time work outs like "Honey bee" and jazzy instrumental "Stan's swang". Released in 1984, one year after his debut, it cemented his reputation as the hottest blues guitarist around. And his gravelly vocal style suited his down south Texas dirty blues perfectly. And, just to prove a point, Stevie Ray covers Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile (Slight return)" in Fender bending fashion, showing virtuosity and control quite staggering to hear.
Indeed the quality of guitar playing here hasn't been heard since Stevie Ray's unfortunate death in an aeroplane crash (Why always aeroplane crashes - Buddy Holly, Lynyrd Skynyrd etc?). For this remaster Pure Pleasure Records in the UK, a small Audiophile label, has pressed on 180g virgin vinyl a 2LP set, the original 2 sides spread across 3 sides of this release and a bonus 4th side including an interview with Stevie Ray and 4 extra tracks not previously released. A collector's item for any fan of the electric blues by one of the finest and most stinging guitarists who ever lived. Highly recommended.
04 November 2005 2005: Durban artist making waves: While Paul Buttery is selling second hand albums, younger brother Guy is making a big name for himself as a musician. After just a few months since his last visit to Cape Town, Guy Buttery has been doing the country. Grahamstown, Howick, Ballito, P.E. and back again, Mooi River, Potchefstroom, Empangeni, Joburg, Port Shepstone, George, two visits to Pretoria, Scottburough and many more, including a number shows in his hometown of Durban. Guy has been busy. For one man and his instruments, this multi-instrumentalist has been sharing his music everywhere he can. Without much help from radio stations, Guy has to bring his music to the people for his magical creations to be heard.
Launching his second album across the country has proved that his music is not bound to one place, space or mind set. Although the sounds he creates are derived from the landscapes of Natal and inspired from the many years he has spent exploring the cane-fields and local forests, his music is universal and tells tales of youth, age, wisdom, passion, travels, love and unbounded freedom. His latest release, "Songs from the Cane Fields", is just that.
The inspiration clearly speaks of the unleashed joy of new beginnings and spirit of travel along ancient African footpaths. From the diversity of song "one can only guess that this special musician, has the mind of a prophet and the musical prowess of a guru. You can only wonder to yourself that his soul and commitment to his music, is way beyond his 21 years." His upcoming tour will be nothing short of brilliant, performing material from his new album as well as old favourites, with the addition a few special guests to join him on his unique musical journey.
Performance Dates & Info:
| 20th November | Armchair Theatre, Obz, 135 Lower Main Road , 021 447 1514, 9pm |
| 21st November | Barleycorn, The River Club, Obz, Liesbeek Parkway, 083 235 7245, 8:30pm |
| 27th November | The Postbox Theatre, 153 Main Road, Muizenberg, 082 846 3818, 6pm (please make a booking) |
Songs from the Cane Fields - Reviews
"Unorthodox twenty-something Durban musician Guy Buttery, on only his second release, throws down the gauntlet with an album of incredible versatility and imagination".
"There are times when it sounds as if there's a seven-piece band backing Guy Buttery, so complex and rich is the sound, but it's just him and his acoustic guitar exploring myriad textures and rhythms with an ingenious imagination and scant regard for music industry rules. It's the kind of album that reveals something new at every turn, the kind of album that never gets old or outstays its welcome." - Craig Canavan, JHB Live
South African acoustic guitar prodigy Guy Buttery follows up on the SAMA-nominated success of his début album with another impressively original instrumental songbook. Impressionist solo guitar sketches open up into pastoral tone poems, classical folk and bluegrass filters, and even a gentle psyche sitar improvisation.
Meanwhile, duo settings with violinist Angus Kerr and slide guitarist Nibs van der Spuy provide a fluid counterfoil to Buttery's more oblique instrumental architectures.
"But it's in his unconventional classical piano/guitar constructions ("Renwot" with upright bassist Ellis Pearson, "Mad Scientist Ritual" with guitarist Barry Corden) where discerning listeners can fully navigate the micro-tonalities and modal harmonic seduction of Buttery's idiosyncratic approach to his instrument. And to think, all of this was recorded in his lounge..." - Miles Keylock, CD Wherehouse
Now if only Guy's albums were available on vinyl...
04 November 2005 2005: Album review of the week: Ryan Adams, Gold: The alternative country wunderkind really stretched his range with this release, following as it did the magnificent, country tinged debut "Heartbreaker" released almost two years earlier. Living up to such an incredible first album was never going to be easy, so he didn't really try. This double LP (the vinyl version includes 4 songs not on the CD - take that digital heads!) encompasses so many styles and musical forms that at times it's quite dizzying. Upbeat rock and roll the one minute, quiet and countryish the next, Adams shows off his prodigious talent and quite incredible virtuosity to great effect here.
31 October 2005: Newsletter 04 for October: For more information, please view the fourth newsletter for October.23 October 2005: Newsletter 03 for October: For more information, please view the third newsletter for October.14 October 2005: Newsletter 02 for October: For more information, please view the second newsletter for October.14 October 2005: More than the sum of its parts: Call me ignorant, or plain dumb, if you want to, but I fail to pick up what difference a miniscule tweak or a single item such as a cable can make in an entire system. For example, a person says he / she has noticed a vast improvement in the lower to mid-bass range when he / she increased VTA by 0.35mm. To this I say, nonsense. You are listening to an entire system and any part of it could have been affected by a small change. Well, this week I had to swallow my pride and admit that small changes DO make a difference and that something as simple as changing speaker cables can make a massive difference. And where changing an item may in one system not improve things much, using the same item in another system can lift the roof. Let me explain (and I will be honest and people's names will be mentioned, but in no way to offend them):14 October 2005: Marooned on an island with just your hi-fi:This one is for fun. Let's say you are forced to live alone on an island. You are allowed to take your hi-fi - turntable, phono stage, amplifier, cables and two loudspeakers. And the island does have electricity, of better quality and supply than our friends in Johannesburg and Sandton have. But there's space for only ten elpees. Which ones would you take? Show us your choice by selecting Forum on the menu above and then reply to the thread started under My ten LPs, stranded with me on a remote island. Click on this title, then click on the New topic button and place your list there. Say as much as you would like to. You may also reply to threads if you are a registered member. If you are not registered, do so by following the registration link, top right on the page. I have posted my own wishlist already and some others may have done so as well before you get the newsletter, since these are our serious forum members!07 October 2005: Newsletter 01 for October: For more information, please view the first newsletter for October.07 October 2005: Vinyl collection for sale: As mentioned in the newsletter, a huge collection of vinyl is for sale. The list is provided here in MS Excel format to facilitate browsing. [ View collection ]04 October 2005: New supplier of high end audio and video products: Lifestyle Audio, based in Potchefstroom, with branches in Klerksdorp, Rustenburg and Heideliberg sells exclusive hi-fi gear. Vincent, Bel Canto, Avid, TacT, Mordaunt Short, Sonor Audio and Valve Audio are amongst the manufacturers and brands represented. Lifestyle Audio also supplies vinyl, SACD and XRCD, sourced from Audio Nut. Visit their newsly launched web site on www.lifestyle-audio.com.30 September 2005: Newsletter 05 for September: For more information, please view the fifth newsletter for September.23 September 2005: Newsletter 04 for September: For more information, please view the fourth newsletter for September.17 September 2005: Newsletter 03 for September: For more information, please view the third newsletter for September.10 September 2005: Newsletter 02 for September: For more information, please view the second newsletter for September.10 September 2005: Linn Sondek LP12 turntables for sale: The amazing thing about the vinyl revival in this country is the stimulation in the market, resulting from people buying better or new turntables, ensuring a constant demand and supply of second hand units. My own LP12 was sold yesterday morning and since then my mobile has been stuck to my ear because of demand for the turntable. Two excellent units are now also available to interested buyers, both the famed Linn Sondek LP12.02 September 2005: It's over!: Yep, that's it for 2005's expo. And what an expo it was. For more information, please view the first newsletter for September.03 September 2005: AVID range of turntables now available from Audio Nut: The successful debut / launch of the AVID Volvere turntable has kickstarted an avalanche of potential buyers. You can now purchase your AVID from Audio Nut and save thousands of rands in the process. More information is available here.[ More information on Rega turntables... ] [ P7 review... ]
24 July 2005: Joni Mitchell: Blue: This week we look at three classic albums. Joni Mitchell has been around for a long time and her music has been the foundation for many others who followed. We look at her 1970's album, Blue. [ Read review... ]
24 July 2005: The Eagles: Hotel California: American group The Eagles produced music that simply does not age. Hotel California is a must have for any collection. And it is available in a lavish 180 gram format. [ Read review... ]
24 July 2005: The Holly Cole Trio: Don't Smoke In Bed: The second album is a musical and vocal gem, by the Holly Cole Trio. Riveting renditions of well known songs. [ Read review... ]
18 July 2005: Album review of the week: This week we look at a classic re-issue, Van Morrison's Moondance. [ More information... ]
10 June 2005: Latest exhibitors: Welcome aboard, Absolute Sound. Having visited the impressive facilities of Absolute Sound In Rivonia earlier this week, it is clear that these guys mean business. On entering, Jerome was putting the final touches to an Audio Research amplifier before delivery. Heinz appeared from one of the sound rooms and immediately got down to business. "We want to sell products at the show, not merely tell people about hi-fi." was his introduction. Absolute Sound will be showcasing various products from the Audioquest range of cables and connectors and these will be on sale. The Martin Logan loudspeakers and Audio Research amplifiers were next to draw my attention and yes, they will be there.
Bruce Springsteen: Devils and Dust, a new release by American rock legend, Bruce produces music closer to Nebraska than we have heard from him for a while. A double album, the vinyl release came out a mere three weeks after the official launch on Dual Disc. Which shows that vinyl is back with a vengeance!
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours, the classic late seventies album, is once again available on 180 gram vinyl. With Rumours, Fleetwood Mac produced one of the most celebrated albums of all time. While Fleetwood Mac had finally attained their long-desired commercial success, the band was fraying apart behind the scenes. The internal tensions formed the basis for the songs on their best album, Rumours. Released in the spring of 1977, topping the American and British charts and generating the Top Ten singles "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," "Don't Stop," and "You Make Loving Fun." It would eventually sell over 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it the second biggest-selling album of all time. Rumours reads like a greatest hits package rather than an incredible record. This album is a "must have" release in every sense of the word...and this German pressing is the best re-issue we have heard!
Eagles: Hotel California, bring back memories of "Life in the fast lane". And if you were not impressed hearing the surround version of "Hotel California" (on DVD) then this is your chance to return to your stereo roots. No matter who supports the surround format, we are unlikely to ever sit in the middle of a group on stage. And hearing a guitar behind you when the video shows the player in front of you is confusing to the aural and visual senses. If I was meant to hear music in surround mode I would have had ears behind my skull as well...
Eric Clapton's 1974 release 461 Ocean Boulevard stands as a crucial milestone in his much-revered catalogue. It's the album on which Clapton reinvented himself as a solo artist, reestablishing his musical and commercial credibility after 2 years of relative inactivity. Regarded by many as his best solo effort, 461 Ocean Boulevard contains some of Clapton's most personal music, and created the musical template that he would follow for decades to come.
31 May 2005: Very important notice: We have just heard from Audio Nut that Mobile Fidelity's first release of Patricia Barber's Café Blue and Companion has just been sold out. In order to meet the demand, Mobile Fidelity have decided to extend the run by making another 3000 copies available. Audio Video South Africa will also be reviewing Café Blue in the May edition of the magazine. Should you want a copy of this incredible three disk limited edition (45rpm) please contact Audio Nut immediately on +27 (0)82 885-0146 or send e-mail to eards@iafrica.com. On the previous order, Audio Nut managed to secure extremely low numbers (241 and 242) showing that the distributor is highly regarded by Mobile Fidelity.
This edition of disks mastered at 45rpm is so special that the numbers are written on the back cover instead of being printed in gold as is the case with all other current 180 gram releases. These albums will cost in the region of R240.00 to R300.00, Café Blue being a three disk set. But then the exchange rate may influence things slightly. We have seen the Rand gradually slipping from the mid-five of December to some R6.40 today (Thursday 19 May). So expect to spend an extra few rand on it. Also available from Mobile Fidelity is the John Lennon album Mind Games, selling for a low R200.00. Lennon now boasts three albums released by Mobile Fidelity, which is quite an achievement.
Some more exciting news from Mo Fi land is that the first test pressings for Aimee Mann's Bachelor No 2 have just been made available for audition and this means that the commercial release cannot be too far off. Obviously we hope that this, as well as the AKUS live show (three disk set) will be available during the expo, at which time you may be able to purchase these and other titles at reduced prices.
13 May 2005: Album review for the week: Supertramp's Famous last words: This is the third Supertramp review this year, the other two being Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America. And why not? Some 23 years later this is still a great album and now available for much less than you think! [ Read on... ]
09 May 2005: The Slashdogs releases 7" vinyl single: Isn't this good news? South African band, The Slashdogs, has released a limited edition 7" single (on vinyl, as if you didn't already guess). It was pressed in ZimBobwe, using a pressing plant that used to belong to South Africa, nogal. [ Read the details... ]
06 May 2005: Audio Nut awarded exclusive distribution rights by Classic Records: Now this is good news indeed! Being able to source directly from Classic Records means that you will be paying substantially less for top quality 200 gram pressings from this company. Well done, Mark.This also means that you are able to get the brand new Bruce Springsteen album, Devils and dust, from Audio Nut. As mentioned in the newsletter, this is new album release, simultaneously with the Dual Disc version. Not bad for vinyl and re-affirming the industry's acceptance of the return of the medium as a force to be reckoned with.
06 May 2005: Web site and newsletter feedback: I really appreciate the positive feedback we have been receiving about the content and presentation of the web site and newsletter. Thanks guys. In the current newsletter I mentioned why I prefer vinyl to CD, apart from the sound. Japie Strauss added one aspect I completely forgot about - the stunning artwork on album covers - and mentioned In the court of the Crimson King as one which has visually stunning graphics. And he is right. I promised many moons ago that I'd place an article on this. Hang on in there, I will do it shortly.
27 April 2005: Album review for the week: Steely Dan's Can't buy a thrill: Released in 1972 to critical acclaim this album heralded the arrival of two major players in the rock / jazz milieu and a classic band that is still with us today. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were the dynamic duo, as it were, at the heart of Steely Dan, and although the member line up over the last 30 odd years has seen every world class session muso come and go, Becker and Fagen have always been the Engine room. [ Read the review... ]
22 April 2005: Your last chance to purchase Dark side of the Moon: Please note that we have just received confirmation that production of the 30th Anniversaty Edition of pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon has come to an end and will never be available again. The cost also seems to be rising.
[ Follow link to the story...]
17 April 2005: Album review for the week: Nick Drake: It's been a long time since a best of retrospective of this legendary folk artist has been available on vinyl, "Heaven in a wild flower" being the last one that springs to mind. More recently released was the rare alternate versions and out takes of his songs put together on " Made to love magic", also still available on vinyl. This Brand new title attempts to cover the best songs from all three of Nick's official albums "Five leaves left", "Bryter Layter" and "Pink Moon". [ Read review... ]
01 April 2005: Album review for the week: Carol Kidd: All my tomorrows. Recorded in 1985, All My Tomorrows features the original When I Dream with the late Alex Moore on guitar, the irrepressible Sandy Taylor at the piano, a string quartet on ballads and a guest appearance by Martin Taylor on electric guitar. Completely natural and spontaneous, as much at home with a freewheeling swinger as with the most intimate ballad, Carol is the most definitive jazz singer Britain has ever produced.
22 March 2005: Stating the case for vinyl: The April edition of Audio Video South Africa Magazine has arrived early this month runs an in depth look at the SME Model 30/2 turntable, a stunning piece of machinery. As AVSA editor Deon Schoeman points out, this turntable is not about the return of vinyl but shows what can be achieved using an decent analogue frontend. Sure, very few of us will be able to get one but should you be one of the few, your vinyl is lifted in the super category of musical reproduction with little or nothing coming remotely close.
17 March 2005: Vinyl review for the week: It has been some times since we had an album review, the reason simply being that we are waiting for something really fresh to come our way. This week's review takes a look at American Music Club's Love Songs for Patriots.
There are many very good reasons for highlighting this album this week. After all it is without doubt the best album Supertramp ever released, despite the bands protestations to the contrary, and it is a FM top 40 classic rock album. And they don't make those anymore. Of course the best reason is that in 2 weeks I will be able to get stock of this title directly from German Classical reissue label Speakers Corner. Having owned one of these myself for a few years I know how good this pressing is ,and as it hasn't been available for a long time, this is a heads up to anyone who wants it. More information...
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