R.E.M.: Reckoning
I.R.S. Records SP70044/Interscope-Capitol Records Definitive Sound Series DSS 16 (LP; auditioned as a test pressing). 1984/2026. Don Dixon, Mitch Easter, prods.; Dixon, Easter, engs.; Bill Inglot, Chris Bellman, remastering.
Halfway through my conversation with Miniot's Piet Kolkman at the 2026 Dutch Audio Event, I asked him a half-joking question: "How many of your customers died waiting for their prepaid turntables?"
In the Belgian city of Ghent stands a formidable artifact of military technology: Dulle Griet ("Mad Meg"), a 15th-century cannon that weighs about 12.5 tons. Despite its fearsome appearance, the weapon apparently never fired a shot. But it does lend some historical inspiration to Bombard, a new Belgian loudspeaker company whose first product, the OB1, made its debut at the 2026 Dutch Audio Event. OB1 stands for Open Baffle 1, but if your first thought was of a Star Wars character…same.
