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Record Store Report: Visiting Third Man Records in Nashville
Julie Mullins  |  Jul 16, 2024  |  9 comments

You have to hand it to Jack White. The multi-talented, multi-hyphenate producer/vocalist/guitarist has successfully created a personal brand of stylistic flair alongside his own multifaceted music and musical tastes — and he’s also known as the force behind Third Man Records, which he co-founded with Ben Blackwell and Ben Swank in 2001. Read on to see everything our Julie Mullins came across during her recent onsite visit to the Third Man Records record store locale in Nashville. . .

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Analog Gear News
Acoustical Systems Astellar Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 15, 2024  |  9 comments

Some high-end turntables are truly works of art and masterful engineering combined, worth admiring in full regardless of the price point of entry. Such is the case with the latest from ace designer Dietrich Brakemeier — namely, the Acoustical Systems Astellar turntable. Read on to see all the specs and features of AS and Brakemeier’s wholly impressive Astellar table. . .

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ALBUM RELEASE NEWS
Frank Zappa’s Strictly Commercial 1974 Solo Album Apostrophe (’) Is Marked for Expanded 180g 2LP & Color Vinyl 180g 1LP 50th Anniversary Editions on September 13, While Frank Zappa for President 180g 2LP RSD 2024 Set Gets Wider Release on July 19
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 12, 2024  |  2 comments

The crux of the biscuit is this — in proper celebration of 50 years of Frank Zappa’s March 1974 solo LP Apostrophe (’), a newly expanded 50th anniversary edition will be released on September 13, 2024, via Zappa Records/UMe in a variety of formats, including 180g 2LP+7-inch and 180g 1 LP color vinyl editions. Read on to see what the bonus material includes and what the color vinyl choices entail, in addition to what you can expect with the wider release of the RSD 2024 180g 2LP Frank Zappa for President collection on July 19. . .

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Album Reviews
Dwight Yoakam’s 4LP RSD 2024 Box Set Updates His Three Key 1980s Country Releases, Along With a Bonus LP of Demos and Rarities That Make Their Official Vinyl Debuts
Mark Smotroff  |  Jul 11, 2024  |  4 comments

Dwight Yoakam burst on the music scene in the mid-1980s with a refreshing blend of vintage ‘50s/’60s-inspired, truckstop-worthy, country-fried, rockabilly-infused honky-tonkin’ twang and bright, modern sensibilities that captivated new and old audiences alike. On Record Store Day 2024 back on April 20, Reprise/Rhino/Via issued a limited edition (3,500 copies) 4LP box set dubbed The Beginning and Then Some: The Albums of the ’80s to celebrate Yoakam’s fruitful career beginnings. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this reasonably priced box set is worth pickin’ up and spinnin’. . .

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Analog Gear News
E.A.T. Fortissimo S Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 09, 2024  |  7 comments

We always seem to enjoy whatever gear E.A.T. — short for European Audio Team — has ready to serve us, and we’ve just learned that the Vienna-based company’s New York-based distribution partner, VANA Ltd., is officially bringing their formidable Fortissimo S turntable across the Pond. Read on to see what’s what with the features and specs for the Fortissimo S table. . .

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Analog Gear News
FiiO CP13 Transparent Portable Cassette Player
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 08, 2024  |  8 comments

The tape revival continues ever onward. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at a new tape-related offering from portable-gear manufacturer FiiO — namely, their CP13 transparent portable cassette player. Read on to see what the CP13 has to offer. . .

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Interviews
Keyboardist Bill Payne on Little Feat’s First New Studio Album in 12 Years, Sam’s Place, and Why He Loves the Recent Slew of Historical 2LP & 3LP Warner Records Reissues That Show How Willin’ the Band Is to Embrace Their Rich Vinyl Legacy
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 05, 2024  |  5 comments

Bill Payne is a glue guy — as in, the co-founding keyboardist of Little Feat is the connective tissue that sweetens the musical pot of everything he touches, something that’s in full effect on Little Feat’s new 145g studio LP, Sam’s Place. In a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Payne discussed how Sam’s Place came together so instinctively, what some of his favorite vintage Little Feat tracks are on vinyl and why, and how the band mixes complexity and beauty together to create such a signature sound. . .

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Analog Gear News
With the Xtension 9 Evolution, Pro-Ject Invites You to Design Your Own Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 02, 2024  |  5 comments

Ever want to build your own turntable, piece by piece? Well, Pro-Ject is letting you do just that with their new Xtension 9 Evolution table. Read on to see just how you can do it by customizing key turntable elements such as tonearm, cartridge, phono preamp, power supply, cabling, and finish, as you see fit. . .

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Analog Gear News
Rega Nd5 MM Cartridge
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 01, 2024  |  5 comments

Rega does it again. Part of the company’s burgeoning Nd cartridge line, the Nd5 moving magnet (MM) cartridge is said to be a “world first” (their words) in terms of using a neodymium magnet — hence, the periodic table-like abbreviated “Nd” portion of the cart’s nomenclature, Read on to see what all the Rega Nd5 MM cart’s other features and specs are. . .

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AAA VinylAlbum Reviews
John Lee Hooker Conjures Acoustic Fire on AAA Acoustic Sounds-Curated 60th Anniversary 180g 1LP Reissue of Burning Hell Via Craft Recordings
Mark Smotroff  |  Jun 28, 2024  |  7 comments

Original pressings of it from 1964 are scarce, as it was initially issued primarily in the UK. What’s a vinyl-loving fan of acoustic blues on a budget to do? Fortunately, Craft Recordings has come to the rescue, seeing fit to reissue John Lee Hooker’s legendary 1964 Riverside Records LP, Burning Hell as part of their new Bluesville series. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this AAA edition of Burning Hell should be fired up or your turntable sooner than later. . .

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