LATEST ADDITIONS

Monarch Distribution Systems have recently added a couple of well-respected brands to their roster: Garrard turntables and Loricraft record-cleaning machines (RCMs). At face value, this move makes good sense, seeing how both of these UK-based companies are owned by the same parent company, SME — for which Monarch already serves as distributor. Based on a recent, AP-exclusive conversation with Monarch founder and CEO Rich Maez, there’s even more to the story. Read Julie Mullins’ interview with Maez to get the full Monarch-Garrard-Loricraft scoop. . .

Two albums recently reissued as part of Rhino’s esteemed High Fidelity Series could not be further apart stylistically, sonically, and emotionally — but in some ways, these two releases are inevitably connected in time and space. In this special Short Cuts combo review, Mark Smotroff explores the value of picking up the Hi Fi Series versions of these platinum-selling hits from Fleetwood Mac and Sex Pistols, and draws some interesting parallels in the process. . .

All the gifts of life are held within these vinyl walls. For the more progressive-leaning listening cognoscenti out there, that altered reference is pure IYKYK — but it’s also a good way to announce that a cool Vancouver-bred band by the name of Syrinx have just dropped their sophomore LP that’s quite adroitly named Time Out of Place via Ocula Records on September 9, 2025. . .

The Grateful Dead’s self-released September 1975 LP Blues for Allah is many a Deadhead’s almost favorite album. It is indeed home to a near-perfect dizzying blend of ultra-tight playing, funk-forward, progressive, jazz-fusion-oriented music wrapped up in a handful of incredibly catchy tunes. Much of this music went on to become concert staples for the band as well, and now this pivotal Dead album rightly sees a 50th anniversary 180g 1LP reissue via Rhino. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this new Allah LP should be rolled, er, snapped up sooner than later. . .