First Official 180g 2LP Release of One Hand Clapping, the Well-Loved and Oft-Bootlegged 1974 Live-in-Studio Recordings by Paul McCartney & Wings, Deserves Much Applause

Primary Category: 
Artist: 
Paul McCartney & Wings
Album: 
One Hand Clapping
Cred Label: 
MPL/Capitol/UMe
Cred Prod: 
Paul McCaartney
Cred Eng: 
Recorded by Geoff Emerick, assisted by Mark Vigars and John Barrett at Abbey Road Studios
Cred Mix: 
2024 mix by Steve Orchard, Hog Hill Mill, except for “All of You” and “I’ll Give You a Ring” mixed by Geoff Emerick at Abbey Road Studios
Cred Mast: 
Mastering & vinyl lacquers cut by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios

It’s been heavily bootlegged over the years, and yet Paul McCartney & Wings’ One Hand Clapping is still something of a holy grail among fans. These 1974 live-in-the-studio recordings find the group firing on all cylinders — and then some. Finally, this vital Macca music has been officially released today, June 14, 2024, by MPL/Capitol/UMe as both a 180g 2LP set and a web-exclusive edition that also includes a bonus six-track 45. Read on to see why Mark Smotroff feels One Hand Clapping offers some of the most rocking Macca & Wings music on vinyl to date. . .

Deluxe Edition of Talking Heads’ Seminal Stop Making Sense Returns in 2LP Black Vinyl and 2LP Crystal-Clear Vinyl Options on July 26

Thankfully, Sense is being made once again — quite literally. What I mean by that is, the expanded soundtrack of Talking Heads’ seminal 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense will be re-released in a pair of 2LP editions by Sire/Rhino on July 26, 2024. Read on to see what tracks comprise the expanded SMS cut, what the two color-vinyl options are, and where you can pre-order your copy (or copies), post-haste. . .

Ode to This Thing I Found: Why I Love My Acoustic Solid Vintage Exclusive Turntable

It’s a rite of passage for vinyl enthusiasts and audiophiles alike to bring home a new turntable, isn’t it? Read on to see how new AP contributor Shanon McKellar feels about the many wonderful listening sessions she’s already experienced with her current, and clearly favorite, Acoustic Solid Vintage Exclusive turntable. . .

Lehmannaudio Phonolith Phono Preamp

Could there be a better name for a new phono preamp than the Phonolith? Lehmannaudio’s latest phono stage just happens to bear that name, and it combines a phono preamp and headphone amp into the same device, alongside a matching power supply unit. Read on to see more about all the Phonolith’s features and specs. . .

Indie-Rock Icons The dB’s Oversee a Quite Welcome and Long-Overdue First-Time U.S. Vinyl Release of Their Highly Influential 1981 Debut LP, Stands For deciBels

After the global onslaught of post-punk new-wave artists in the late 1970s like Elvis Costello, Blondie, Television, The B-52s, and Talking Heads, a barrage of U.S. groups like R.E.M., The Bongos, The Feelies, Let’s Active, Pylon, Mission of Burma, and Love Tractor started shaping the next waves (if you will) as the decade turned to the 1980s. On the leading edge of that gradually growing sonic tornado were the acclaimed hybrid North Carolina/New York power-pop indie rockers, The dB’s.

Primary Category: 
Category: 
Artist: 
The dB's
Album: 
Stands for deciBels
Cred Label: 
Propeller Sound Recordings
Cred Prod: 
Alan Betrock (original LP); Jay Coyle, Jefferson Holt (reissue LP)
Cred Eng: 
=
Cred Mix: 
originail 1981 mixes by Scott Litt (Power Station, NYC), Don Dixon (Drive-In, NC), Martin Rushent (Genetic, UK)
Cred Mast: 
2024 remastering by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Services (with “very clear and careful direction" from bandmembers), lacquers cut by by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Services, stampers made at Gotta Groove

The acclaimed hybrid North Carolina/New York four-piece band The dB’s were on the leading edge of the gradually growing indie-rock movement as the calendar turned to the 1980s. Today, we are celebrating the first-ever U.S. vinyl edition of their highly influential January 1981 debut LP, Stands for deciBels, which is set for release by Propeller Sound Recordings next Friday, June 14. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why Stands for deciBels continues to stand tall as an influence on much of the music we listen to on vinyl today, and why this new domestic LP version belongs in your collection. . .

Table Toppers, Take 4: Following the Loss of Some Key Gear in a Devastating Hurricane, a Restored Thorens Turntable and a Few VPI TNT Tables Became the Centerpieces of This Impressive Detroit-Area System

What better way to enter the impending summer season than with the second 2024 installment of our ongoing Table Toppers series? Back in late 2023, we posed a simple question to you, the AP faithful — in short, quote, “show us your turntables!” And hence, the almighty Table Toppers section was born, and we’re more than happy to continue on with this popular series as we approach the midpoint of the year. Read on to see how Dave Millon of Royal Oak, Michigan recovered from a devastating gear loss and wound up centering his system around a coolly restored Thorens TD 124 turntable — along with some VPI TNT tables to boot. . .

Everclear’s Songs From an American Movie Vol. One: Learning How to Smile to Be Released on Analog-Mastered, Limited-Edition 140g Yellow Vinyl by Intervention Records on September 13

Maybe we were once too damn cool to buy the 8-track tape, but we’re more than happy to pony up for the upcoming limited-edition Intervention Records 140g yellow-vinyl 1LP edition of Everclear’s July 2000 album Songs From an American Movie Vol One: Learning How to Smile. Set for release on September 13, 2024, it’s the first time this platinum-selling album will be on vinyl. Read on to see how the Intervention team is making sure SFAAM Vol One is going to be one worthwhile analog-centric spin. . .

Denon DL-103o Limited-Edition MC Cartridge

We’ve always been fans of fruitful collaborative partnerships, so we’re happy to see Denon and Devon Turnbull of OJAS have joined forces to produce the limited-edition Denon DL-103o moving-coil cartridge. Read on to see all the features and specs of the limited-edition DL-103o MC, and to find out which classic Denon cart it’s based on. . .

Pianist and Composer Vijay Iyer and His Trio Deliver Emotive Sonic Riches and Much Aural Beauty on Their New 180g 2LP ECM Records Set, Compassion

His curriculum vitae is stunning. Among other things, he was named Downbeat’s Artist of the Year for several years running. Yet, for some reason, I haven’t crossed paths with his music nor even heard many folks buzzing about this gifted artist, pianist, composer, and educator by the name of Vijay Iyer.

Primary Category: 
Category: 
Artist: 
Vijay Iyer
Album: 
Compassion
Cred Label: 
ECM Records
Cred Prod: 
Vijay Iyer, Manfred Eicher
Cred Eng: 
Ryan Streber
Cred Mix: 
-
Cred Mast: 
-

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer is someone who should have been on our analog radar much, much sooner, so we’re beyond pleased that we’re now able to marvel at his and his trio’s true artistry on their new 180g 2LP release on ECM Records, Compassion. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Iyer and Compassion should be added to your must-listen list. . .

The Police Line Up 40th Anniversary 180g 4LP Super Deluxe Edition, 2LP Color Vinyl, and 1LP Picture Disc Versions of Synchronicity for July 26 Release

“A connecting principle, linked to the invisible.” It’s a key line from the ostensible title track to The Police’s blockbuster Synchronicity LP, which is now officially slated for a very-much-visible and quite tangible 40th anniversary box set celebration that will comprise 180g 4LP super deluxe, 2LP color vinyl, and 1LP picture disc editions from Polydor/UMe on July 26, 2024. Read on to see what all the bonus tracks are and which ones make the cut on each LP edition, as well as which version sports an alternate tracklisting. . .

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