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Album Reviews
RSD Preview Review: Nat King Cole’s Intimate, 1953 Small Club Gig, Live at the Blue Note Chicago, Makes Its Vinyl Debut on April 20 Via 180g 2LP Set Pressed at RTI
Mark Smotroff  |  Apr 05, 2024  |  3 comments

The first question we asked ourselves when contemplating the newly unearthed 1953 concert recording of Nat King Cole duly dubbed Live at the Blue Note Chicago — which is earmarked for release on the next upcoming Record Store Day, April 20 — is why would audiophile-leaning vinyl enthusiasts and jazz fans alike want it in their collections? The combination of great performances, of-era sound quality, and pricing topped our requirements list, and, fortunately, Live at the Blue Note Chicago has enough of all three to satisfy our listening/collecting needs — but what about yours? Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Nat King Cole’s Live at the Blue Note Chicago belongs on your RSD must-have list. . .

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Analog Gear NewsAXPONA 2024
AXPONA Preview: Belleson Brilliance Phono Preamp
Mike Mettler  |  Apr 04, 2024  |  5 comments

Continuing with our AXPONA gear preview, we next turn our inquiring eyes and ears toward the Belleson Brilliance phono preamp, a product the company had been developing for a number of years. Read on to see what the Greer, South Carolina-based company known for their high-performance voltage regulators have finally brought to fruition with the Brilliance . . .

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Analog Gear NewsAXPONA 2024
AXPONA Preview: Analog Audio Design TP-1000 Reel-to-Reel Tape Player
Mike Mettler  |  Apr 03, 2024  |  7 comments

With AXPONA a little over a week away, we wanted to get an early jump on looking at some of the cool new products we expect to be checking out firsthand at the show. First up, we’re already quite intrigued by French manufacturer Analog Audio Design’s TP-1000 reel-to-reel player, which is finally making its stateside debut after being introduced in Munich last year. Read on to see all the cool features and specs of the TP-1000. . .

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Features
Lirpa Labs Noah’s Arc Turntable: An Analog Planet Exclusive!
Mike Mettler,  |  Apr 01, 2024  |  12 comments

Every now and then, we come across a product that truly defies description — and today’s special featured piece of gear is the ever-loving, AI-living proof. Please welcome the triumphant return of the always estimable Dr. Loof Lirpa, who has given AP exclusive access to his brand-spanking-new Lirpa Labs Noah’s Arc turntable. Read on to see what the M&M team — Mettler and Micallef, that is — think of this one-of-a-kind AAA (as in, absolutely amazing analog) marvel. . .

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Album Reviews
Deep Purple’s Seminal, Hard-Rocking Proto-Metal Classic 1972 LP, Machine Head, Absolutely Smokes in Its New 50th Anniversary Box Set Configuration, Especially on Vinyl as Remixed by Dweezil Zappa
Mark Smotroff  |  Mar 29, 2024  |  9 comments

In these 21st century times, there is arguably no better person more ideal to helm a 50th Anniversary remix of Deep Purple’s seminal March 1972 hard-rock classic LP Machine Head than Dweezil Zappa, and he’s done just that for the vinyl that’s included in the just-released 50th anniversary Machine Head deluxe box set. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Dweezil’s new stereo mix makes the mighty Machine Head even better and stronger on vinyl — and, if so, how he was able to achieve such an aurally dynamic feat. . .

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News
Genesis’ Career-Spanning 1999 Compilation, Turn It On Again: The Hits, Makes Its Vinyl Debut With Two Different 2LP Options on May 3
Mike Mettler  |  Mar 28, 2024  |  2 comments

All I need is a cinema show — that, and the radio. Okay, so we slightly butchered the opening lyrics to “Turn It On Again” there, but if you’re a Genesis acolyte and you know (what I like), then you know what we mean. The reason for the above line adjustment is that Genesis is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their October 1999 Turn It On Again: The Hits compilation by way of two separate vinyl editions via Atlantic/Rhino on May 3, 2024 — marking the 18-song career-spanning collection’s vinyl debut. Read on to see which tracks are on it, and which specific cut is making its own LP debut. . .

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Turntable Reviews
Audio Note TT-One Deluxe Turntable
Ken Micallef  |  Mar 26, 2024  |  8 comments
Audio Note have long been revered for their turntables, tube amps, DACs, and speakers, and our review subject today happens to be one of their current turntables, Namely, it’s their the TT-One Deluxe table, which has been paired here with the British company’s own AR One/II tonearm and IQ I MM cartridge for maximum Audio Note magnificence. Read Ken Micallef’s review to find out what the Audio Note TT-One Deluxe table is made of, and how it fared come listening/evaluation time. . .

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Analog Gear News
Cyrus Audio Classic PHONO Preamp
Mike Mettler  |  Mar 25, 2024  |  7 comments

Cyrus Audio continue to celebrate their 40th anniversary with an update of one of their Signature (pun intended) products, which is now duly dubbed the Classic PHONO preamp. Read on to find out more about the British company’s latest anniversary gear update. . .

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Album ReviewsReview Explosion
Review Explosion, Short Cuts Edition, Vol. 12: Three Great New LPs From Radiohead Side Project The Smile, Indie Faves Guided By Voices, and Souldies Pioneers Thee Sinseers
Mark Smotroff  |  Mar 22, 2024  |  3 comments

Our first 2024 installment of Review Explosion Short Cuts includes a trio of fine new 1LP releases from the cool Radiohead side project knows as The Smile, the latest, hi-fi-sounding album from indie faves Guided By Voices, and the debut LP from East L.A. “souldies” pioneers Thee Sinseers. Read Mark Smotroff’s combo-platter review to see if any, or all three, of these new LPs belong in your collection. . .

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Interviews
Remembering Karl Wallinger: The Late, Great Visionary World Party Bandleader Discusses His Love of Vinyl, and He Shows Us How He Double-Tracked Vocals Only by Using an Album Cover
Mike Mettler  |  Mar 21, 2024  |  3 comments

Eleven days ago, we lost another good one. Karl Wallinger, the visionary bandleader, singer, songwriter, composer, and all-around sonic Svengali of the alt-pop-leaning British collective known as World Party, sadly passed away on March 10, 2024, at the still young age of 66. In a recently unearthed, previously unpublished interview with AP editor Mike Mettler from 2012, Wallinger discussed the importance of how to properly sequence song cycles on LPs, why he once wanted to open his own record store, and his early proclivity for listening to progressive artists like Yes, Pink Floyd, and ELP on vinyl — plus, he shows us, on video, his unique DIY double-tracking vocal technique. . .

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