At a ceremony in New York City during the 147th AES (Audio Engineering Society) Convention, mastering legend Bob Ludwig was given the first dCS Legends Awards. The company, best know for its line of SACD player/DACs and streaming audio DACs, has already announced upcoming recipients, many of whom were at the event to congratulate Ludwig.

Following a year of selective magazine interviews and the recent opening of a VIP 80s retro nightclub, musical genius Frank Ocean is finally back with new music. In addition to returning today to his Beats1 Blonded radio show to premiere a new song “DHL,” Frank also posted preorders on his website for two 7” singles of new music.

The Huei is based on Chord Electronics’ high-end, award-winning Symphonic MC phono stage. While the Symphonic offered MC compatibility only, the Huei offers both MC and MM compatibility, opening the world of Chord high end analog playback to everyone listening to vinyl.

Keyboardist Michael Weiss released in 2003 a CD of his all-analog (AAA) production of Soul Journey, a collection of nine original compositions arranged for sextet featuring Steve Wilson, alto sax, Ryan Kisor, trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Davis, trombone, Paul Gill, bass and Daniel Sadownick, percussion. It was recorded to 2 inch 30IPS tape at Avatar Studios New York by Joe Ferla and mixed by Joe to 1/2" 30IPS analog tape.

Guitarist Steve Vai gave veteran mastering engineer Bernie Grundman a well-deserved Making Vinyl lifetime achievement award at Monday's Making Vinyl, Hollywood 2019, Blue Note Tone Poet reissue series curator Joe Harley delivered an 80th Anniversary Blue Note slide show and Phonocut demonstrated a home new vinyl cutting system. Those were only a few of day one's highlights at Making Vinyl, Hollywood taking place at the W Hotel, Hollywood.

We inadvertently identified Memphis Record Pressing as being responsible for pressing Tyler, the Creator's IGOR. Obviously some buyers got copies like mine seen in this picture showing a horrendous case of audible "stitching". MRP received some not pleasant emails from readers. These should be directed to United Record Pressing, which actually pressed this terrible looking record. Apologies to MRP and we vow greater diligence going forward.

"Making Vinyl, Hollywood" comes to the W hotel Monday and Tuesday October14th and 15th. AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer moderates panels and Analogue Productions/Acoustic Sounds mogul Chad Kassem participates. Tuesday evening the Mikey and Chad Show (or the Chad and Mikey Show, if you you prefer) comes to The Audio Salon, Santa Monica 6-9PM for one show only! If you're in the area, come on over. We'll have fun and spin some great records on a killer system.

As I approached the check-out counter at Music Millennium with a standard black vinyl copy of IGOR, I told the cashier about my endless obsession with this album. “Don’t get too obsessed with these things,” he said.

“I’m afraid it’s too late,” I replied.

Beverly "Guitar" Watkins passed away in Atlanta on October 1st at age 80. She had a heart attack after previously suffering a stroke. I'd missed the news until reading the obit in today's New York Times. If you've not watched this video posted here and on the AnalogPlanet YouTube channel last fall, do yourself a big favor and watch it now. Here's what was written when the video originally posted:

79 year old Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, unknown to most in the audience, puts on a fiery, funky and fierce standing ovation hour-long performance on the first night of Chad Kassem's "Blues at the Crossroads" Blues Festival Friday October 26th.

The one on the right is part of a set of 4 rollers Audio Desk sells for $99.95. In reality, it's a readily available microfiber mini-paint roller into which someone has drilled a tiny hole that fits into a peg on the machine's spinning mechanism. The one on the left is a 1/4" nap microfiber mini-paint roller purchased at Home Despot. BUT THERE IS ONE KEY DIFFERENCE!