LATEST ADDITIONS

As We See It MQA

MQA again

Jim Austin Jun 06, 2021

MQA has once again floated to the surface of the perfectionist-audio pondnot belly-up as some have hoped but forced there by relentless pursuit by anti-MQA predators posing as impartial jellyfish.

Music and Recording Reviews

June 2021 Classical Record Reviews

Jason Victor Serinus, Stephen Francis Vasta Jun 04, 2021

Danish String Quartet: Prism III, Rachmaninoff: Symphony No.2, Schubert: Winterreise and Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 9 & 10.

Music and Recording Reviews

June 2021 Jazz Record Reviews

Thomas Conrad, Fred Kaplan Jun 04, 2021

Mario Rom's Interzone: Eternal Fiction, Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas' Soundprints: Other Worlds, Jack Brandfield: I'll Never Be the Same and Charles Lloyd & The Marvels: Tone Poem.

Music and Recording Reviews

June 2021 Pop/Rock Record Reviews

Phil Brett, Tom Fine Jun 04, 2021

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: The Ultimate Collection, Gang Of Four: 7781 and Japan: Quiet Life.

Music and Recording Features

Rhiannon Giddens: Phoenix Rising

Anne E. Johnson Jun 04, 2021

Not even a pandemic lockdown could keep Rhiannon Giddens from seeking new projects. Between making a new album with her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, and engaging in strategic planning in her new role as artistic director of the Silkroad Ensemble, the musician and activist seems as busy as ever even if she rarely leaves her house.

ReDiscoveries

Rediscoveries #1: Archie Shepp's Ballads

Fred Kaplan Jun 03, 2021

A review of the Archie Shepp/Jason Moran duet album Let My People Go, in the April issue, may have startled some readers. Shepp is a tenor saxophonist known for tearing across the fiercest climes of the avant-garde (his seminal album is called Fire Music); yet at 83, he's playing standards, spirituals, and slow blues. In fact, Shepp has been exploring such traditional terrain for several decades. Sofor the debut of an occasional column on underappreciated albums, artists, genres, and labelslet's shine some light on Archie Shepp's ballads.

Turntable Reviews

Clearaudio Concept Active Wood turntable

Ken Micallef Jun 02, 2021

My friend Courtney Grant Winston has led a storied life. A photographer by trade, Courtney has a gift for revealing his subjects' spirited personalities. He has photographed actor Morgan Freeman, Le Bernardin co-owner Maguy Le Coze, and celebrity chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Alain Ducasse, and Anthony Bourdain. Courtney took the iconic cover photo for Bourdain's 2000 breakout biography, Kitchen Confidential. Courtney's father was a Tuskegee Airman during World War II and a childhood friend of Billie Holiday. The voice of Courtney's mother, Dorothy, can be heard in Billie the recent documentary, speaking about the celebrated jazz singer's final days.

Analog Corner Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #282: OMA Plinth for Technics SP10, SAT CF1-12 tonearm, Doshi V3.0 phono stage

Michael Fremer Jun 01, 2021

Last May I got a text message from my vinyl-loving electrician: "Hey Michael, I'm listening to WFMU and a young 12 year old analog genius is guest DJ-ing, Malachi Lui. He mentioned you, and talks about mastering and pressingshe's incredible. I imagine he's been in touch with you. Hope all is well, Craig."

Integrated Amp Reviews

AVM Ovation A 6.2 ME integrated amplifier

Herb Reichert May 28, 2021

During my 100 years on earth, I've owned mostly separate amps and preamps, but only because that is where I startedor I should say, that is where my audio-savvy friends directed me when I began asking for guidance. Nevertheless, the audio system I've used the longest (unchanged for almost 10 years) consisted of 1984 Rogers LS3/5a loudspeakers (15 ohms, with factory wall mounts) powered by a proletarian-looking Creek 4330 integrated amp sourced by an Oppo CD player.

Revinylized!

Revinylization #18: Déjà Vu all over again

Tom Fine May 27, 2021

The central question behind Déjà Vu was "How do you top a classic?" The eponymous debut album by Crosby, Stills & Nash was a case of magic musical synergy meeting the perfect moment. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200, won the Grammy for Best New Artist, and opened the door for the trio's legendary performance at Woodstock.