Analogue Productions Presents a 200 Gram, Clarity Vinyl UHQR Are You Experienced

The original British pressing of Are You Experienced? (Track 612 001) was a tepid looking and sounding monophonic affair and despite the label’s name, the jacket didn’t list the tracks, nor did the front offer the band’s name.

The Who’s managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp had originally envisioned the Track label for their group but at the end of 1966 former Animal Chas Chandler blown away by Jimi Hendrix’s performance at New York’s Café Wha? brought him to the U.K. and his need for a record label came first.

Primary Category: 
Artist: 
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Album: 
Are You Experienced
Cred Label: 
Analogue Productions/Experience Hendrix
Cred Prod: 
Chas Chandler
Cred Eng: 
Dave Siddle, Mike Ross, Eddie Kramer
Cred Mix: 
Eddie Kramer
Cred Mast: 
Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, CA
The original British pressing of Are You Experienced? (Track 612 001) was a tepid looking and sounding monophonic affair and despite the label’s name, the jacket didn’t list the tracks, nor did the front offer the band’s name.

Kanye West’s Donda 2 : Unfinished & Uncomfortable (+ Stem Player Review)

Mere months after his patience-testing yet rewarding opus Donda, Kanye West is back with its lazily titled sequel, Donda 2. Don’t expect to find it on streaming platforms or in record stores, however. The artist now legally known as Ye instead independently released it exclusively on the $200 Stem Player, a proprietary, Yeezy Tech- and Kano-developed device that allows users tactile interaction with his last three albums (more about that later).
Primary Category: 
Artist: 
Kanye West
Album: 
Donda 2
Cred Label: 
Self-Released Stem Player Download
Cred Prod: 
Various
Cred Eng: 
Various
Cred Mix: 
Uncredited (Mike Dean?)
Cred Mast: 
N/A
Mere months after his patience-testing yet rewarding opus Donda, Kanye West is back with its lazily titled sequel, Donda 2. Don’t expect to find it on streaming platforms or in record stores, however. The artist now legally known as Ye instead independently released it exclusively on the $200 Stem Player, a proprietary, Yeezy Tech- and Kano-developed device that allows users tactile interaction with his last three albums (more about that later). Most of Donda 2’s media coverage centers around the Stem Player situation, how everyone thinks Kanye is “crazy” to so highly value his art by making everyone pay $200 for it. Yet, Donda 2 itself doesn’t cost $200; it’s a free download accessible only via the $200 Stem Player, meaning he doesn’t technically have to pay anyone royalties or sample clearances. Kanye would tell you he’s winning, except it’s his own game designed to eliminate any threat of competition. (Either way, Billboard ruled the album ineligible to chart. Kanye’s decision to keep Donda 2 off streaming is immensely respectable, though I wish he also put out a more convenient $20 CD or tape.)

Blue Note Announces Next Round of “Classic Vinyl” 180g AAA Reissues

Blue Note today announced the next series of affordable Classic Vinyl 180g, all-analog reissues mastered by Kevin Gray using the original master tapes plated and pressed at Optimal in Germany. The records come in standard packaging to keep the costs down. Blue Note president Don Was and Cem Kurosman curate.

Sibelius Piano Trio Performs "The Korppoo Trio"

Grammy award winning Yarlung Records out of Los Angeles California has been releasing classical music albums on CD, LP, and R2R tape since as far back as 2006, but they had somehow managed to escape my radar. Better late than never, as they possess all the ingredients necessary to delight readers of this website; including a dedication to minimalist analog recording techniques, and the curation of the finest up-and-coming classical talent working today.
Primary Category: 
Artist: 
Korppoo Trio
Album: 
Sibelius Piano Trio
Cred Label: 
Yarlung YARLP944228-45 180g 45rpm LP
Cred Prod: 
Bob Attiyeh
Cred Eng: 
Bob Attiyeh
Cred Mix: 
Bob Attiyeh
Cred Mast: 
Steve Hoffman and Bob Attiyeh (lacquers cut from tape by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering)
Grammy award winning Yarlung Records out of Los Angeles California has been releasing classical music albums on CD, LP, and R2R tape since as far back as 2006, but they had somehow managed to escape my radar. Better late than never, as they possess all the ingredients necessary to delight readers of this website; including a dedication to minimalist analog recording techniques, and the curation of the finest up-and-coming classical talent working today. This label is run by people (primarily producer and engineer Bob Attiyeh) who care deeply about classical music, and are connected to first rate performers, particularly those who orbit the many concert halls of the greater Los Angeles area. In addition to running a record label, Yarlung also has an associated nonprofit called Yarlung Artists which focuses on getting promising new artists started on their touring career.

At My Piano  Reinforces Brian Wilson’s Compositional Brilliance

The ‘60s fostered a music-driven cultural revolution nobody anticipated. From John Coltrane’s Giant Steps to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, history’s most iconic albums saw artists leaving timeless and influential musical blueprints. However, calling the ‘60s “influential” shows only a limited understanding; rivalries were fierce, and competition defined the decade. Neither The Beach Boys nor Brian Wilson could escape the competitive climate.

Primary Category: 
Category: 
Artist: 
Brian Wilson
Album: 
At My Piano
Cred Label: 
Decca Records 3850040 LP
Cred Prod: 
Brian Wilson, Nick Patrick, Darian Sahanaja
Cred Eng: 
Darian Sahanaja, Debbie Shair, Simon Rhodes, Jack Beech (assistant)
Cred Mix: 
Simon Rhodes
Cred Mast: 
Tim Debney at Fluid Mastering, UK
The ‘60s fostered a music-driven cultural revolution nobody anticipated. From John Coltrane’s Giant Steps to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, history’s most iconic albums saw artists leaving timeless and influential musical blueprints. However, calling the ‘60s “influential” shows only a limited understanding; rivalries were fierce, and competition defined the decade. Neither The Beach Boys nor Brian Wilson could escape the competitive climate.

Kid A Mnesia: Kid A and Amnesiac Together At Last Part 2

COMMENTS
Tom L's picture

It's interesting to compare this review with Malachi's earlier one. They have different points of emphasis and Malachi was much less impressed with the sound quality, as he notes soundstage problems and inner groove distortion on the two primary LPs (especially Kid A) because they are cut much closer to the center than is usually considered optimal.

Speaking of sound quality, I fail to see how a disc where "...“static-y” overlay, the cause of which isn’t clear, overwhelms the mix, obfuscating the gorgeous vocals and deep undulating strings" on one song could possibly deserve a 10 for sound. IMO reviewers should review the actual LP they receive instead of giving it credit for a corrected re-press that may never materialize.
I don't mean to knock Nicholas' opinion, that's just mine.

rexlibris's picture

It seems strange to note a problem with the sound and then give it a 10.

mushiking's picture

I’m a Radiohead fan and have both originals on double 10”. I had the red vinyl of this on loan from my lovely local record shop and was not impressed so sent it back. Yes there is the distortion on HTDC but there were other parts with clicks and pops and strange sounds throughout. Even without this I’d not have declared Kid A as sounding particularly impressive. A 10 / 10 would be a huge stretch based on my experience. Maybe the black vinyl is a lot better?

JJCalvillo's picture

Got mine from XL and went to their page to point out the problems. Don't think they're especially interested in hearing from people. No "Contact" link I saw, and when you click "About" you don't go anywhere. Not a good way to retain customers.

calebjkeen's picture

I ordered from XL in the US as well. After I discovered the entirety of side 1 of Kid A was wrecked by non-fill I emailed shopusa@xlrecordings.com and received a reply from store@matadorrecords.com apologizing for the bad pressing and assuring me that they were having the original pressing plant replace the whole run. The communication indicated I would automatically receive a replacement as soon as they were available but no ETA. Good luck!

RodSerling27's picture

that you rate the sound 10/10! There's just no way, especially considering other LPs that are bestowed with that rating on this site. I respectfully disagree with you, though I appreciate the enthusiastic review. I love to see other Radiohead fans as passionate as me! However, I found this pressing to be quite inferior to earlier pressings, and still just as loaded as compression as the CDs (yet not as "clean" sounding). I didn't hear any sonic improvements; I ended up selling my copy that I bought directly from WASTE. I wish Radiohead would re-issue their catalogue without all of the unnecessary compression and limiting!

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Kid A Mnesia: Kid A and Amnesiac Together At Last

Radiohead has re-released two of its most experimental and critically acclaimed albums, Kid A and Amnesiac remastered at half speed from the original digital files for phenomenal fidelity, in a set that includes another record of previously unreleased material from those sessions. The transfer conveys a slightly new listening experience for fans, and unique aspects are brought out in the music, making it feel like listening to an old friend for the first time.

Primary Category: 
Category: 
Artist: 
Radiohead
Album: 
Kid A Mnesia
Cred Label: 
XL Recordings XL 1166LP
Cred Prod: 
Nigel Godrich and Radiohead
Cred Eng: 
Nigel Godrich, Gerard Navarro, Graeme Steward, Dan Grech-Marguerat
Cred Mix: 
Nigel Godrich
Cred Mast: 
Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering at AIR (new lacquers)
Radiohead has re-released two of its most experimental and critically acclaimed albums, Kid A and Amnesiac remastered at half speed from the original digital files for phenomenal fidelity, in a set that includes another record of previously unreleased material from those sessions. The transfer conveys a slightly new listening experience for fans, and unique aspects are brought out in the music, making it feel like listening to an old friend for the first time.

Candid Records Relaunch Features 5 Classics Cut From Tape by Bernie Grundman

Candid Records, founded in 1960 with Nat Hentoff as A&R director produced a catalog of great jazz and blues releases that also featured superb sound. A label relaunch was announced last week with 5 exceptionally fine titles leading the way, mastered by Bernie Grundman. The press release didn't specify if BG mastered from tape or from hi-res files so before posting this I asked the publicist to clarify.

SME Updates Loricraft's Record Cleaning Machines

When SME purchased Garrard it also bought the Loricraft brand of "string type" record cleaning machines. SME then upgraded both models. This video shows how they work and accompany a write-up in the April 2022 issue of Stereophile magazine that will shortly be available on newsstands, mailed to subscribers and available as part of a digital subscription.

Carlos Santana's Blessings and Miracles Sweepstakes!

Register to win one of three Carlos Santana Blessings and Miracles Vinyl Editions (value $34.98 each), or a limited edition Carlos Santana hand signed Blessings & Miracles PRS SE Doublecut Electric Guitar (value: $2,995/priceless) we are giving away.

"Santana delivers one of the most ambitious, inspired, and magical records of his storied career. There are genre-bending, hook-filled celebrations featuring Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton, G-Eazy, American Authors and Ally Brooke, and thrilling feats of bravura musicianship that pair the guitar master with fellow icons like Chick Corea and Steve Winwood, and knockout rockers with Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Living Colour's Corey Glover, among others."

"Featuring the artwork from the 2021 Blessings and Miracles release, this Santana Student Edition PRS electric guitar is a must have for any collector. This is a very limited run of these guitars and is hand signed by Carlos Santana."

[This Sweepstakes is now Closed.]

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