Michael Fremer

Analog Gear NewsNews
Thorens Introduces New TD 1500 and TD 403 DD Turntables
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 15, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 15, 2021  |  8 comments
Thorens today announced two new turntables: the TD1500 and the TD403. The 1500 takes its design cues from the iconic TD 150 introduced in 1965 that according to Thorens's press release featured for the first time in a mass produced turntable a spring suspended sub-chassis with a flat belt driven inner platter. However, the AR-XA introduced in 1961 had this design feature and sold 100s of 1000s so must be considered "mass produced". The TD403 is the "big brother" of the recently introduced TD 402.

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News
First Flight To Tokyo—Recently Discovered 1961 Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Live Concert Coming Nov. 5th
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 15, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 15, 2021  |  6 comments
Blue Note releases November 5th First Flight To Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings a recently uncovered Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers 1961 live recording at Tokyo's Hibiya Public Hall featuring the classic lineup of Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt.

The set includes mostly crowd pleasing staples like Parker's "Now's the Time", Monk's "Round About Midnight" and Timmons' "Moanin'", which you can stream or download at that link.

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Record Handling and Storage Tips
Tidy Up Your IKEA Or Other Record Storage Units With Turntable Revival's Premium Backspacers
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 13, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 13, 2021  |  14 comments
I usually ignore Facebook advertising—you know, the ads that offer miracle fixes in super fast motion—but one seemed to make too much sense to ignore and that was Turntable Revival's Premium Backspacers available for IKEA KALLAX/EXPEDIT shelves as well as ones from Target and Walmart/Better Homes and Gardens. These shelving units are not made for vinyl record storage but can be used for it and therein lies the problem Turntable Revival solves.

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News
Win This Turntable, Among Many Other Donated Prizes to Benefit Homicide Survivors, Inc.
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 09, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 09, 2021  |  2 comments
This gets complicated so please bear with me: days after the January 8th, 2011 politically motivated shooting that took the lives of six people and injured nineteen others including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of the Tucson, AZ community formed an organization called Luz de Vida (Light of Life) to benefit survivors. More than $20,000 was raised to help victims and their families.

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News
An Unprecedented, Star-Studded Collection from America’s Top Jazz Labels in Support of Musicians Affected by the Pandemic Arrives on November 12
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 07, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 07, 2021  |  3 comments
The 2-LP Set, CD and digital album features Herbie Hancock, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Jimmy Heath, Albert “Tootie” Heath,Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, IRMA and LEO (Esperanza Spalding & Leo Genovese), Cécile McLorin Salvant, Charles Lloyd, Hiromi, Kenny Garrett, Jon Batiste, and Other Jazz Greats.

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News
Radiohead Announces November 5th Release of Kid A Mnesia   In Multiple Formats
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 07, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 07, 2021  |  19 comments
The 21st anniversary of Radiohead's 2000 releases Kid A and Amnesiac will see the release of a multiple format triple-album featuring 1/2 speed re-masters of both Nigel Godrich produced albums and a third album of "never-before-heard "If You Say the Word" and a previously unreleased studio recording of "Follow Me Around".

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Album ReviewsFeatures
Joni Mitchell The Reprise Albums (1968-1971) —The Perfect Box Set Reissue?
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 02, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 02, 2021  |  33 comments
Joni Mitchell first came to the attention of some folk music enthusiasts from the three songs heard on Tom Rush’s 1968 release The Circle Game (Elektra 74018). Rush covers “Tin Angel”, “Urge For Going” and of course “The Circle Game.” Rush also covers on the album songs from Jackson Browne and James Taylor before they too became well known.

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Album Reviews
Happier Than Ever Is Billie Eilish’s Brilliantly Dark Fame Diary
Michael Fremer,  |  Aug 29, 2021  |  7 comments
This July, Billie Eilish released her highly anticipated second LP, Happier Than Ever. After some contention as to who would review this release, AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer and contributing editor Malachi Lui agreed to both comment on it. Below is their conversation about the record.

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BeatlesNews
Let It Be Gets Giles Martin Multi-Remix Box Set With Plenty of Extras
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 26, 2021  |  First Published: Aug 26, 2021  |  24 comments
As expected, The Beatles' post-break up Let It Be album gets a Giles Martin re-mix and will be available worldwide October 15th 2021 in multiple editions. For the new release Martin and engineer Sam Okell produced stereo, 5.1 surround DTS and Dolby Atmos mixes. The new stereo mix sourced directly from the original session and rooftop performance 8 track tapes were "guided by the original "reproduced for disc" Phil Spector version.

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Turntable Reviews
Music Hall Introduces its "Stealth" Direct Drive Turntable
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 25, 2021  |  First Published: Aug 25, 2021  |  27 comments
The late and great comedian Jackie Mason once quipped “You know who invented sushi? Not the Japanese! Jews invented sushi! Who else would figure out a way to open a restaurant without having to invest in a kitchen?

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