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ALBUM RELEASE NEWSNew Wax WednesdayVinyl Reports
Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and The Mothers Combine Ingredients for New 180g 2LP and 1LP 50th Anniversary Options for 1975’s Bongo Fury on March 20
Mike Mettler  |  Feb 04, 2026

After a long absence, the Muffin Men have finally returned to their respective seats at the table. What I mean by that is thus: The first Frank Zappa-related release of 2026 shines a spotlight on Bongo Fury, the historical October 1975 collaboration between lifelong friends Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, with The Mothers also along for the ride. A newly expanded 50th anniversary edition of Bongo Fury will be released by Zappa Records/UMe in a variety of formats, including 2LP and 1LP sets, on March 20, 2026. Read AP editor Mike Mettler’s report to see just how Bongo Fury has been upgraded and expanded. . .

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Turntable Reviews
TEAC TN-5BB Turntable
Ken Micallef  |  Feb 02, 2026

Whether you’re spinning LPs on a high-end rig, vintage classic, or budget model, certain features should be standard on every turntable. Good news is, TEAC’s new manual belt-drive TN-5BB turntable delivers on many of those fronts, not to mention its ease of setup, quiet noise floor, and unique deployment of using washi paper as a damper. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see just how good a performer the TN-5BB table is at its enviable, affordable $2.2K price point. . .

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Album ReviewsVinyl Reports
David Bowie’s Benchmark 1976 Album Station to Station Connects Anew With Stellar 50th Anniversary Half-Speed-Remastered 180g 1LP Reissue
Mark Smotroff,  |  Jan 30, 2026

Fifty years ago, upon the release of his 10th studio album on RCA, January 1976’s Station to Station, David Bowie painted a firm portrait of his future, presenting his Thin White Duke persona that was first hinted at on March 1975’s Young Americans. Now celebrating its so-called Golden Jubilee, Station to Station was re-released 50 years to the day on January 23, 2026, via Parlophone in a new half-speed-mastered, audiophile-worthy limited-edition 180g LP, alongside a fun, companion picture disc option. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if you need to check into either/both of these STS reissues. . .

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Analog Gear News
Pro-Ject Scorpions Turntable
Julie Mullins,  |  Jan 29, 2026

Fellow vinyl lovers, prepare to be rocked like a hurricane. Austria-based manufacturer Pro-Ject recently announced the latest in their lineup of special edition turntables: the limited-edition Scorpions model. Its belt-driven design is based on Pro-Ject’s popular T2 turntable — and, as Julie Mullins reports, this version just might have Scorpions fans saying they can’t live without you, er, can’t live without it. . .

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Analog Gear News
Sumiko Oriole MC Cartridge
Mike Mettler  |  Jan 29, 2026

We’ve been waiting semi-patiently to sing about a cool new phono cartridge that we got a heads up about a few weeks ago — and now that the embargo period has officially lifted, the time has come for us to fill you in on Sumiko’s Oriole MC cartridge. Read on to see all of the Oriole cart’s features and specs. . .

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ALBUM RELEASE NEWSNew Wax WednesdayVinyl Reports
Another King of Rock & Roll Epic in the Making: Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert 2LP Soundtrack Gets Crowned on Vinyl on April 24
Mike Mettler  |  Jan 28, 2026

When it comes to the King of Rock & Roll, nothing is too EPiC (acronym-derived case sensitivity specifics very much intended) for director Baz Luhrmann to tackle. Relative to the theatrical premiere of Luhrmann’s latest visual ode the King, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert — which hits theaters with a one-week exclusive IMAX engagement on February 20, 2026, followed by a global theatrical release from NEON and Universal Pictures International a week later on February 27, 2026 — RCA/Legacy will be releasing a companion 2LP soundtrack on April 24, 2026. Read AP editor Mike Mettler’s EPiC report to see if this hunk o’ double-Elvis vinyl-to-come belongs in your collection. . .

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Playback Accessory Reviews
Ramar Record Brush Joni
Ken Micallef  |  Jan 27, 2026

The world of record cleaning brushes spans decades and price points, from minimalist designs to maximalist engineering. Of late, we’ve been intrigued by the line of fine record brushes being offered by German manufacturer Ramar, so we wanted to test the model that’s been duly dubbed Record Brush Joni. Read Ken Micallef’s review to see if the Joni is as stardust-golden as its name indicates. . .

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Album ReviewsVinyl Reports
T. Rex’s Pioneering 1971 Release Electric Warrior Gets Even More Glammed Up With Fine New Rhino High Fidelity Series 180g 1LP Remaster
Mark Smotroff,  |  Jan 23, 2026

Many music fans consider Electric Warrior, the classic September 1971 Reprise LP by Marc Bolan’s T. Rex, to be ground zero for the music genre known as glam rock. Indeed, popular music’s trajectory at that time would likely be very different if not for the success of this album, which has long been an in-demand fan-favorite LP. And thus, a new, audiophile-worthy remastered 180g 1LP version of it courtesy Rhino’s most excellent High Fidelity Series was very much in order. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if you need to get it on with the Kevin Gray remaster of Electric Warrior ASAP. . .

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Analog Gear News
Aavik R-X88 Series Phono Preamps
Mike Mettler  |  Jan 22, 2026

Since we’re on a bit of a phono preamp kick this week, it’s time to check in on what Danish brand Aavik has in store under that particular gear umbrella. Part of Audio Group Denmark, Aavik is known for their flagship R-880 phono preamp, and they tell us that they’ve drawn inspiration specifically from that model to launch their new Aavik R-X88 series of phono preamps. Read on to see all the features and specs for the three different models in this new series: the Aavik R-188, Aavik R-288, and Aavik R-588. . .

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ALBUM RELEASE NEWSNew Wax WednesdayVinyl Reports
Rush Change the Mode and Crack the Code With 40th Anniversary Grace Under Pressure 180g 5LP/1BD Box Set Due on March 13
Mike Mettler  |  Jan 21, 2026

As the ’80s continued to unfold, Rush found themselves at the crossroads once again. To meet the moment head-on, the Canadian trio enlisted a new producer, made some key arrangement and songwriting modifications, and came up with their mid-’80s statement album, April 1984’s Grace Under Pressure. In celebration of this milestone LP, UMe/Mercury and Anthem continue with their ongoing, comprehensive Rush 40th anniversary album series with the arrival of newly expanded Super Deluxe Editions of Rush’s about-face 1984 release on March 13, 2026. Read AP editor Mike Mettler’s report — which includes an exclusive interview with longtime Rush production wizard Terry Brown, who remixed the original album exclusively for this box set — to see why the 180g 5LP/1BD configuration of GUP40 should make its way onto your preorder list ASAP. . .

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