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Eden was delighted with the Sapphire's simple controls: Push buttons for power and speed selection, and knobs for speed control.
There is a small crack in one corner of the dust cover, but that's okay. Gives it character.
Eden and I were impressed by the strength of the dust cover's hinges. Michael Fremer's 20th Century Vinyl waits patiently, another gift from Eden's mom. Moms always know what their children need.
Unlike that of the less-expensive Rega turntables, the Sota Sapphire's substantial dust cover works on heavy-duty hinges and holds itself in place. I don't know what this is good for, but it's cool. The Rega dust cover, on the other hand, is hinge-less and does not stay open half-way.
The thing is heavy as all hell. It must be filled with lead shot or sand or the lives of many, many men.
I hoisted it from its home on the white shelf and rested it gently upon Eden's glass dining room table. The first thing we noticed was that there was no AC cord, no power supply. We, therefore, couldn't turn it on.
I met up with Eden after work last Wednesday. We stormed through the midtown crowds and boarded the Uptown 1 train to Morningside Heights in beautiful Harlem. The train ride took no time at all. The last bit of our short trip took us way above ground, alongside tall office buildings, schools, and homes. It's a very special view.
The sidewalks are wider up at 125th Street and people aren't in as much of a hurry. University students mix with old couples and young children and other Harlem folk. A banner stretched out between two street signs announced the 22nd Annual Anti-…
The poster shows that Light In The Attic will be releasing a second Rodriguez album in the near future. I'll be sure to pre-order that one, too.
The vinyl is packed with a bonus 45, excellent liner notes, and a very cool poster. My only problem is I can't decide whether to hang the poster on my wall or keep it tucked nicely with the vinyl.
Stereophile's music editor, Robert Baird, also received a copy of the album. And his was signed!
Jerk.
Light In The Attic's lovely re-issue of Rodriguez's Cold Fact is limited to 1000 vinyl copies. Mine is number 139!
Tell you the truth: I find it hard to believe that 138 people got to this before me. I've been psyched about it for months.
Cold Fact, the recently unearthed 1960's psychedelic folk album from obscure Detroit songwriter, Sixto Rodriguez, has been pretty much everywhere these days. Last week, in fact, I walked by John Atkinson's office to hear him blasting the outstanding opening track, "Sugar Man."
Most happily, however, the album has been in my hands and spinning on the Rega P3.
Thanks to the fearless music lovers at Light In The Attic, the forgotten album has become available to a new generation of fans. Theirs is the first official re-issue and comes dressed up in a heavy-stock tip-on…