AUDIO INSIDER

Transparent sound occurs when the sonic clutter between instruments and voices disappears.

The dictionary defines the word paradox as a statement or proposition that, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. Such is the nature of audio transparency. Invisible sound. A seeming paradox. On the one hand, we can never hope to see sound. So the idea that some sound appears […]

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CHEAP VINTAGE CD PLAYERS SHOOT OUT: Akai / Hitachi / Marantz / Meridian / Mission / NAD / Philips / Sony / Yamaha (Part 2 of 2)

TO RECAP: In this, my latest experiment, I decided to buy as many pre-owned / low cost CD players as I could afford for the investigation and NONE over £40 each from the major auction site. Part #1: I wanted to determine if via my reference £100 system, I could (a) here and worthwhile improvement […]

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WAGNER: A-Z – A is for Alberich

Stephen Ross writes: A stands for Alberich, antisemitism and Apocalypse Now. A is for Alberich, the vertically challenged, sex-crazed villain whose theft of the gold at the beginning of Das Rheingold – the prelude to the Ring Cycle – triggers a train of deranged events, which concludes four evenings and 15 hours later with the […]

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Memphis ― a blues capital no more

MEMPHIS, June 2 ― It was once the cradle of blues and rock for America and synonymous with the magic of B.B. King. But Memphis is not the musical beacon it used to be. With the death of the legendary blues guitarist King last month, the city has lost of one its last favourite sons. […]

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JACK BRUCE: Sunshine of Your Love: A Life in Music (2CD)

Very special highlights collection of Jack Bruce’s work will be available this autumn with the release of Sunshine of Your Love: A Life in Music. The career spanning 35-track 2CD anthology will feature the greatest works from the legendary musician, composer and bass virtuoso. The anthology celebrates the highlights of Jack Bruce’s career and covers […]

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MILES DAVIS: Birth Of the cool. It made him a star. It also made him incredibly difficult to live with for the people who loved him most

Miles Davis – horn player, bandleader, innovator. Elegant, intellectual, vain. Callous, conflicted, controversial. Magnificent, mercurial. Genius. The very embodiment of cool. The man with a sound so beautiful it could break your heart.  The central theme of Miles Davis’s life was his restless determination to break boundaries and live life on his own terms. It […]

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AUDIO INSIDER

HiFi snobs

I really dislike labels as they apply to people. I have spent much of my adult life working hard at removing them from my lexicon. Labels encourage us to place complex people in simplistic organized little boxes. That hardly allows for diversity or nuance. Yet, today’s crowd seems ever more eager to assign labels to […]

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MILES DAVIS: Jazz Sur le Vif, Theatre St. Denis Montreal, Canada- 11th July 1982 (CD)

We are told ….. High quality recording broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation of a fascinating and breathtaking gig. Miles Davis – trumpet, keyboards Bill Evans – tenor and soprano saxophones, piano, flute Marcus Miller – electric bass Mike Stern – guitar Al Foster – drums Mino Cinelu – percussion Tracks: DJ Introduction Back Seat […]

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SHELBY LYNNE: Revelation Road

    “Virginia-born Lynne seems unable to settle on a place for her considerable vocal gifts. Since escaping Nashville’s production line a decade back, she’s tried on the roles of Americana songwriter and rock chick and cut a Dusty Springfield tribute” MORE

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