Below is what the publications had to say. Click here to read what our customers thought.
Also check out Quality Record Pressings Reviews.

Stardust / Willie Nelson Willie Nelson - Stardust

"This is a vocal record that even opera lovers treasure. ...these were unexpected vocal knockouts from a shaggy source. ...The 45 RPM pressing on 200g vinyl shows the impeccable care that Analogue Productions lavishes on all its reissues. The higher speed means shorter sides (in this case, 45 minutes of music spread over two discs), and while it may be an audio mirage, the sound is more alive, more present than on a 33 1/3 RPM LP." — Editor's Pick, Recording Of The Month — Performance = 5/5; Sonics = 5/5 — Robert Baird, Stereophile, March 2018


The Chirping Crickets / The Crickets/Buddy Holly The Crickets/Buddy Holly - The Chirping Crickets

"An equally impressive, classics-laden album to pair with Buddy Holly's eponymous LP, this included 'Oh Boy!,' 'Not Fade Away,' 'That'll Be The Day,' and nine others which inspired The Beatles, The Hollies, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers and every other British Invasion band. Sixty years after it appeared, this still sounds fresh and innovative, while Analogue Productions' superlative transfer is one of the best sounding I've heard yet — and I have been collecting Holly LPs for 52 years. Apparently this and its sibling will be issued as 45 RPM doubles — how can they possibly sound even better? This ranks as one of the greatest debut LPs ever." — Sound Quality: 90% — Ken Kessler, Hi Fi News, February 2018.

"When The Crickets' "That'll Be the Day" exploded on the radio in 1957 and the absolutely geeky looking 21 year old Buddy Holly and group appeared December 1st on The Ed Sullivan Show, a generation of kids were moved the way the next one was by The Beatles. You didn't have to look like Elvis. Anyone could be a rock'n'roll star. In fact, "That'll Be the Day" was the first demo cut by The Quarrymen, the skiffle group that eventually morphed into The Beatles." — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here.

"...the choice to purchase these Analogue Productions reissues boils down two considerations: whether you want the music configured as it was first released and whether these LPs sufficiently improve on the sound of earlier releases. ... Analogue Productions presents the original running order and artwork, and the covers, from Stoughton Printing, are first-rate. If all of that doesn't have you reaching for your wallet, then the improvement in sound should. Kevin Gray's remastering breathes new life into the music, enhancing tonality, dynamics and retrieval of inner detail. The sound of these reissues easily outstrips that of any prior releases." — Sound = 4/5; Music = 5/5 - Dennis Davis, The Audio Beat, April 28, 2017 Read the entire review here.


The Reiner Sound / Fritz Reiner The Reiner Sound/Fritz Reiner

"Between the Classic Records and Analogue Productions reissues I have, the Classic Records version has EQ that emphasizes the bass frequencies for colossal bass trombones you feel as much as hear, while the Analogue Productions version sounds more neutral and emphasizes the woodwinds and the idiosyncratic textures that come from reeds made by the players themselves, so that no two are truly alike. Overall I prefer the Analogue Productions version as it fully preserves the dramatic stereo imaging of the era when records tried to capture the space the orchestra performed in as well as the orchestra itself." Rating: 95% — vintagevinylgarden.com


Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije/ Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale / Fritz Reiner Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije/ Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale/Fritz Reiner

"One area where the tape truly stands (out) with both pieces lies in its ability to reveal subtleties during louder passages. Not to mention the tone in the lower registers of reed instruments. The attack and decay of individual instruments and mood swings on a dime. The strike and ringing of triangles (are) unlike you'll ever hear on LP. Plus the recording's crystalline-like transparency allows more of the sense of Chicago Symphony Hall to emerge." — Myles B. Astor, Senior Editor, Positive Feedback magazine, January 12, 2018. Read the whole review here.


Chopin's Last Waltz / Robert Silverman Chopin's Last Waltz/Robert Silverman

"Silverman's Chopin is an unqualified success. Although every composition presented here is a familiar selection from Chopin's oeuvre, Silverman's conceptions of them delve deeply into the composer's inherent passions for his music and his love of melody. ... the recording presents a beautiful multidimensional sound image, with a wide dynamic range and gorgeously sharp, true tone colors." — Performance = 5/5; Sonics 5/5 — Robert Baird, Stereophile, February 2018. Editor's Pick – Recording of the Month Read the whole review here.

"Silverman's playing in the Op. 52 Ballade is as commanding and insightful as it gets. ... (his) detailed and engaging liner-notes are a welcome bonus. ... as someone who listens to a great deal of high-res music - PCM and DSD - I'd say this is one of the most lifelike piano recordings I've ever heard. ... Pure pleasure; the spirit of Sheffield Lab lives on!" — Dan Moran, Musicweb International. Read the whole review here.


The Original King Bee / Slim Harpo Slim Harpo - The Original King Bee

"Analogue Productions' 'greatest hits' package is in the spirit of early blues releases, and it's a much better packaging than Excello's own 'best of' release from 1969. ... The new reissue was mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is pressed on 200-gram vinyl by Quality Record Pressings. It easily beats the fine Rhino mastering from Richard Simpson (of RCA fame). Original pressings of Slim Harpo's Excello albums — from which these songs were culled — sound thin, bass shy and two-dimensional compared to Gray's new mastering. But that doesn't begin to describe how good this LP sounds. ... This is big raw sound that grips you and won't let go. It succeeds because Slim Harpo was one of the underrated great blues singers and hopefully this great sounding reissue will remedy that failing. Highest recommendation for sound and music." — Recording = 9/10; Music = 10/10 - Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi +, Issue 155


Folksinger Vol. 2 / Willie Watson Willie Watson - Folksinger Vol. 2

"Watson covers versions of 'Gallows Pole,' 'Dry Bones,' 'John Henry,' 'When My Baby Left Me,' and 'Take This Hammer' among others, bringing to them an authenticity and honesty you might have thought couldn't possibly have survived the millennium, but you'll need no convincing listening to this record. ... The sonics here are 100% of what you like and hope every record you buy might sound like. The naturalness and transparency will slay you ... The record is well-pressed on standard weight vinyl at QRP and the paper on cardboard jacket befits what's inside." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 10/11 - Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. Read the whole review here.



"I have to lead off with Chad Kassem and his team from Acoustic Sounds. Not only has Analogue Productions and QRP been producing a solid stream of grand-slam LPs, but Analogue Productions has been doing the same with reference-grade SACDs throughout the year. And if you don't want physical media, then SuperHirez.com has the great downloads in both DSD and PCM formats. And now:  The Ultra Tape series, which has now set the global benchmark for the highest level of reel-to-reel tapes for audiophiles and music lovers. Chad's company is, in my estimation, the leading provider and producer of audiophile-grade recordings in all key formats. This 2017 Brutus Award is richly deserved!" — David W. Robinson, editor-in-chief, Positive Feedback online, 2017 Brutus Awards for excellence in high-end audio and music

Pet Sounds / The Beach Boys The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

"Produced, composed and arranged by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds stands as the Beach Boys' pinnacle. The album is brimming with beautiful ballads, exotic instrumentation, lush five-part harmonies, and aching sentimentality. Recorded largely with session players from L.A.'s fabled Wrecking Crew, Pet Sounds was Wilson's chance to step away from songs about surfing and cars, instead crafting tender songs about adolescent love, both newfound and lost, as well as innocence and bewilderment. Analogue Productions' two-disc 45 RPM, 200-gram stereo album boasts exceptionally detailed separation and aptly showcases Pet Sounds' shimmering sonics. Mark Linett produced this stereo mix with an assembled digital multi-track master that synched the original four-track instrumental master with the four- and eight-track vocal overdub master. It was then mixed to 15 ips 1/4-inch analog tape with SR noise reduction. How good is it? Carol Kaye's picked Fender P-Bass is tight and punchy on the intro to "God Only Knows," and the clarity reveals the swelling emotion of Carl Wilson's angelic lead vocal to announce that you've entered the Church of Rock 'n' Roll. Say amen." — Music 5/5, Sonics 4.5/5, Greg Cahill, The Absolute Sound, December 2017


Cafe Blue / Patricia Barber

Analogue Productions (RCA Living Stereo) SACDs

"Is there a reason your RCA Living Stereo SACDs sound better than the original ones I have???

Seriously, even the CD layer sounds better!!" — Harry Weisfeld, Owner VPI Industries Inc.


Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Awards for 2017

Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije/ Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale / Fritz Reiner Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije/ Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale/Fritz Reiner

Number six on Sid Marks' all time RCA Living Stereo list (Ultimate Audio, vol.3, no.4, pgs.72-76, 2000) and for good reason. To quote Sid, "From tonal qualities to dynamics, staging and ambience, this beauty has always been among the brightest of stars in the RCA analog heaven." Sid might even after hearing this 15 ips reel-to-reel tape reissue rank this recording even higher. Two of the greatest Russian composers. Two great tales. One of a fake soldier and the other a fake nightingale. Reiner and the CSO at their best and unbelievable sonics some 60 years ago all wrapped up into one.

This tape is a system buster! Word of warning! Play the tape the first time through at lower than normal volume levels. There isn't another tape, LP or CD with greater dynamic range. A very few recordings may equal but none will surpass the feeling of an orchestra playing in your listening room. Oh, those Chicago strings! Buy the Acoustic Sounds remastered LP if you don't own a tape machine! - Myles Astor, Senior Editor, Positive Feedback magazine


Winds Of War and Peace / Lowell Graham Winds Of War and Peace/Lowell Graham


"It's a sonic spectacular and while perhaps you are skeptical about this, it makes for damn entertaining listening. ... If your system is capable of wide dynamic swings and deep bass, you'll definitely enjoy cranking up this record! The original, cut by Doug Sax, ... is obviously no 'slouch,' but this Kevin Gray-mastered reissue is even better overall. The bottom remains solid and dynamic while the midrange is far more transparent, having lost a 'milky' quality that made it sound as if it had been recorded in an airplane hangar. ... if chamber is more your style and/or more suited to your system I'd recommend Sonatas For Violin and Piano (Analogue Productions APC-8722) performed by David Abel (violin) and Julie Steinberg (piano). Incidentally, Wilson's catalogue numbers begin with the release year, so this one was issued in 1987. These chamber music recordings were designed to create the sensation of the performers playing in your room as opposed to you being in a venue. ... The QRP pressings produce pitch black backgrounds with which the originals cannot begin to compete. Plus the music is sublime and/or bombastic!" — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. Read the whole feature article here.

Winds of War and Peace might be Kevin Gray's best remastering effort to date. That's saying something too given his impressive resume!

I could never—despite Winds of War and Peace being long time resident of Harry Pearson's Super Disc List—work up any enthusiasm for the original LP release. The original album always had an amorphous and washed out quality. (And I bought several copies at the time just to check out the problem didn't lie with just the one copy.) Not with the Kevin Gray/Acoustic Sounds remastered version! If you like marching band like music a la the old Fennell Mercury classics—and even if you don't—this is a must have recording. While many will get easily hooked on the first cut Liberty Fanfare (and its massive bass drum whacks!), the adventurous will continue onto tracks like Commando Marches, El Camino Real and Symphonic Dances-No. 3. Me? I am waiting with baited breath for the soon to be released Acoustic Sounds 15 ips Ultra Tape release that promises to be an absolute blockbuster! - Myles Astor, Senior Editor, Positive Feedback magazine


Bloodlines / Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears - Bloodlines (Vinyl)

"There you have it! The first four BS&T records cut by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the master tapes and pressed on 200g vinyl at QRP. I thought a 1A pressing of the first album couldn't be bettered but that was wrong. This one does. ... I did compare the second album here to the double 45 from ORG cut by Bernie Grundman from a copy of the master and it's somewhat warmer and softer, particularly in the mid-bass but I prefered this newest version. The other two (albums) are equally good compared to nothing because I don't have originals. ... That said, this boxed set gives you the first four albums packaged better than ever with gatefold jackets containing great photographs and as best as I can tell, also sounding better than ever as best as I can tell. Ryan K. Smith did a great job here for sure." Music = 8/11; Sound = 10/11 - Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. Read the whole review


here.

Bloodlines / Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears - Bloodlines (SACD)

"As responsible as any for inventing 'Big Band Rock' — following the Buckinghams but beating Tower of Power, Chicago and the Flock by a year or more — BS&T showed snooty cynics that serious musicianship worthy of jazz aficionados could blend seamlessly with blues-y rock, without sinking to the excesses of prog-rock. This set contains the group's first four albums (1968-71), from the Al Kooper / Blues Project orgins of their debut, Child Is Father To The Man, to the height of their hit-making period with BS&T 4, with increasing quantities of classical content, eg. Satie. Prescient selection of material from Nilsson, Tim Buckley, Laura Nyro and Randy Newman, sublime performances, superb sound. A triumph." — Sound Quality = 90% — Ken Kessler, HiFi News, December 2017, Digital Album Choice of the month!


Riverside Recordings / Bill Evans Bill Evans - Riverside Recordings

"The new set is struck from the same parts but pressed on 200-gram vinyl at Kassem's own QRP plant. ... judging from other comparisons I've done, I'd guess the QRPs have an edge. But I will say this: these are, for the most part, extraordinary-sounding recordings, better than any you're likely to find. If you love the music, you should consider the purchase." — Fred Kaplan, Stereophile, Nov. 1, 2017


HIFi News' "Years Best" 2017 includes three Analogue Productions titles! Surf's Up, Smiley Smile and Hatari!

Surf's Up / The Beach Boys The Beach Boys - Surf's Up

Surf's Up AAPP 070P (200g vinyl) / CAPP 070 SA (SACD) — "While the consensus deems Pet Sounds to be The Beach Boys' greatest achievement, I derive much more joy from this 1971 release. Issued when the band was considered so unhip as to be beyond redemption, it featured Bruce Johnston's heartbreakingly gorgeous 'Disney Girls (1957),' famously covered by Art Garfunkel, 'Long Promised Road,' 'Til I Die,' 'Feel Flows' and the luscious title track. Surf's Up restored the band's credibility, despite Brian Wilson not dominating the proceedings. It sounds equally glorious on SACD. It was recorded for surround sound, to be heard via a Dynaco Quadaptor. Pity Acoustic Sounds didn't issue that mix, too!" — Sound Quality = 91% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, "Years Best" Yearbook 2017

"History will never respect this album because of the mythical status of Smile, of which this is the compromised surrogate issued in 1967. The Smile tracks were spread over later LPs, and a reconstruction of what it might have been appeared in 2004, but this is still something special: it contains, after all, 'Heroes And Villains,' 'Vegetables,' 'Good Vibrations,' 'Wind Chimes' and 'Wonderful' — five tracks from the Smile project. This album is simply gorgeous and superior to much of the highly-praised dreck of the era. Acoustic Sounds also has released this as two LPs: stereo (APP068) and mono (APP068M), while both mixes are on the SACD." — Sound Quality = 92% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, "Years Best" Yearbook 2017

Hatari! - Music from the Paramount Motion Picture Score / Henry Mancini Henry Mancini - Hatari! - Music from the Paramount Motion Picture Score

"A hat trick for Analogue Productions, this is the third of their Mancini soundtrack reissues and it's another audiophile-friendly gem. Back in 1996, I reviewed a vinyl reissue of this magnificent album from Germany, one of Audiophile Record Service's RCA 'Shaded Dog' reissues of long-worship LPs. Their Hatari! is now a hard-to-find collectable, so this takes care of the absence, albeit digitally. However, this SACD is so punchy, open and lifelike that its credentials as demo-worthy remain intact. This film was a 1962 Oscar-winner and remains best known for the bouncy 'Baby Elephant Walk' and i's one of Mancini's finest. It will make you smile as much as listening to the Pink Panther theme." — Sound Quality = 92% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, "Years Best" Yearbook 2017

"Hatari! (originally released in 1962) contains more dramatic underscore (primarily in the nearly seven-minute 'The Sounds of Haatari' cue) than most of Mancini's formulaic 'soundtracks.' The musical highlights are the theme from Hatari! with two incredibly catchy classic Mancini funky pop cues ('Baby Elephan Walk' and 'Your Father's Feathers). All of this sounds amazing on one of Mancini's best Living Stereo recordings. The musical and sonic centerpiece for most listeners will be the 'Baby Elephant Walk' with its shrieking woodwinds that still manage to sound musical and are not distorted despite the close miking." — Arthur Lintgen, The Absolute Sound, April 2017


Masterpieces By Ellington / Duke Ellington Duke Ellington - Masterpieces By Ellington

"Analogue Productions has some of the best stuff. If I had to pick one record label, it would be them." – Colleen Murphy, founder of Classic Album Sundays.

 

"Why Vinyl Matters" is a new book where author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike interviews iconic artists, Djs, producers, label founders, record store owners and others influential in vinyl's resurgence. Bickerdike spoke with Colleen Murphy, the founder of Classic Album Sundays, which hosts listening sessions of vinyl albums in their entirety, on world-class audiophile gear, around the globe. Prior to this, she was known as "Cosmo," an American radio and club DJ. Colleen offered her high regard — as shown above — for Analogue Productions reissues when asked the question: "Crucial release for an audiophile to have because it sounds so much better on vinyl?"

She continued: "They do a lot of reissues. They have The Doors, The Beach Boys, Duke Ellington — all sorts. There's a Duke Ellington album called ‘Masterpieces' — if I was on a desert island and I could only have one album, that would be it. It's all unedited arrangements and concert arrangements. ‘Sophisticated Lady' is on there. I'm not even a massive jazz buff. But when you hear this album on vinyl, it's just astounding. It's the foundation of everything. You hear more and more every time you listen to it." The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.


"...while the 33 was a startler, the new (45 RPM) version — spread out on two LPs, to accommodate the wider grooves — will leave you breathless. There's more sparkle to Ellington's piano, more wood in Wendell Marshall's bass, more breath and reed and romance in Johnny Hodges' alto sax, more force in Jimmy Hamilton's hard-blown clarinet. Each player in the horn sections sounds more distinct; I hear more of Duke's playing, underneath those sections, too. And soloists — palpable enough in 33 1/3 RPM — are holographic at 45. In short, the 45 lets us hear more of the music, more of the detail, more of the human presence; it transports us more completely back in time." Read the whole review here. — Fred Kaplan, Stereophile.com, June 17, 2017


Power Of The Orchestra / Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Power Of The Orchestra/Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Kind words from a customer appreciative of our Analogue Productions Ultra Tape reissues.

"Chad, Good Thursday Morning! Several days ago, we had over a 'Reviewer' who wanted to listen to AP's Master-Tapes. He thought very HIGHLY after listening. His suggestion, as well as others in attendance, do more Classical tapes that have a bombastic, exciting, explosive, sweeping musical presentation. These tapes were wonderful and I am happy that you decided to become part of the 'PURE ANALOG-MOVEMENT'. We played both 'SCHEHERAZADE' & 'THE POWER OF THE ORCHESTRA'. Stupendous musical presentations!! Great job Chad. Kudos to yourself and your Team!!" — Bernard Ginsberg


Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade / Fritz Reiner Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Fritz Reiner

Kind words from a customer appreciative of our Analogue Productions Ultra Tape reissues.

"Chad, Good Thursday Morning! Several days ago, we had over a 'Reviewer' who wanted to listen to AP's Master-Tapes. He thought very HIGHLY after listening. His suggestion, as well as others in attendance, do more Classical tapes that have a bombastic, exciting, explosive, sweeping musical presentation. These tapes were wonderful and I am happy that you decided to become part of the 'PURE ANALOG-MOVEMENT'. We played both 'SCHEHERAZADE' & 'THE POWER OF THE ORCHESTRA'. Stupendous musical presentations!! Great job Chad. Kudos to yourself and your Team!!" — Bernard Ginsberg


"It certainly wouldn't be going out on a limb to say that Scheherazade and The Pines of Rome were two of the most anticipated Analogue Productions Ultra Tape! Series releases. High expectations sometimes lead to disappointment, but not here! Both reel-to-reel tape releases live up to and exceeded expectations, especially in terms of recreating the original recordings dynamics, spatiality, and resolution." — Myles B. Astor, Positive Feedback magazine, Issue 93, Sept. 1, 2017. Read the entire review.


Respighi: Pines Of Rome & Fountains Of Rome / Fritz Reiner Respighi: Pines Of Rome & Fountains Of Rome/Fritz Reiner

"It certainly wouldn't be going out on a limb to say that Scheherazade and The Pines of Rome were two of the most anticipated Analogue Productions Ultra Tape! Series releases. High expectations sometimes lead to disappointment, but not here! Both reel-to-reel tape releases live up to and exceeded expectations, especially in terms of recreating the original recordings dynamics, spatiality, and resolution." — Myles B. Astor, Positive Feedback magazine, Issue 93, Sept. 1, 2017. Read the entire review.


Recently / Joan Baez Joan Baez - Recently

"A 30th anniversary reissue, this set from 1987 was recorded after an eight-year hiatus. As typical of her career, it reminds us of Baez's impeccable taste in material. While she wrote two tracks and one is a traditional folk anthem, the rest includes sincere renditions of Dan Penn's magnificent 'Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,' U2's 'MLK,' Dire Strait's Brothers In Arms' and Jimmy Webb's 'The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.' Backed by ace musicians including Caleb Quaye and Abe Laboriel, Baez was doing what she always did: preaching and protesting and guilt-tripping the audience. If you can swallow the right-on politics, musically this is pure class." — Sound Quality = 90% — Ken Kessler, HiFi News, September 2017


People, Hell & Angels / Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell & Angels

"Another superlative posthumous package made better by Analogue Productions, the perfect companion to Machine Gun, this gathers together 12 tracks from 1968-9. The reason it mates perfectly with Machine Gun is the lineup: this is the precursor to Band of Gypsys, with primary players Buddy Miles and Billy Cox. The link to The Experience, then nearing its finish, is Mitch Mitchell on a few tracks; and Steve Stills guests too. All unreleased material, including some delicious blues and fresh interpretations of known songs, all superbly recorded, this is a truly rare occasion when one can tell even the hard-core Hendrix fan that it's a must-have." — Sound Quality = 90% — Ken Kessler, HiFi News, August 2017


The Sound Of Jazz / Various Artists Various Artists - The Sound Of Jazz

"The only reason Classic Records failed to reissue this one back in the 1990s and 2000s is because the reel containing one side had gone missing. For this reissue Sony/BMG located the original 3 track recording from which this stereo record was sourced so it's one generation ahead of the mixed two track master. This tape probably hadn't been played in almost sixty years and so sounds remarkably fresh. ... Analogue Productions reissued this in a tip-on gatefold sleeve with great black and white photos taken at the recording session of Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Ben Webster. A moment in musical time perfectly captured that's easy to recommend for the music, the sound and the packaging. The reissue sound is somewhat drier than the original, which makes it all the more intimate and less dated. A great lacquer cut by Ryan K. Smith." — Music = 9/11; Sound = 9/11 — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here.


Breaking Silence / Janis Ian Janis Ian - Breaking Silence

"This is the 50th anniversary of Ian's eponymous debut, and while she's only averaged an album every two years, when she does emerge after long silences the results are stunning. This aptly-named release from 1992 arrived after a 10-year hiatus. Ian compelled to issue it when she was outed as gay. It's a sparse, sensitive, thought-provoking set, and you'd be forgiven for mistaking it in places as early Joni Mitchell. As her first success — 1965's "Society's Child" — was about a controversial topic, this set upheld her tradition in social commentary, yet it's utterly unpreachy. Gorgeous sound, a tonic for those who are partial to singer-songwriter intimacy." — Sound Quality = 89% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, July 2017


The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get / Joe Walsh Joe Walsh - The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get

"An outstanding new 200gm LP reissue from Analogue Productions, with improved sound thanks to a sparkling new remaster by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, makes it clear that this 1973 release remains — with the possible exception of 1978's But Seriously, Folks . . . — the undisputed highlight of Walsh's solo career. ... Another week, another beautiful-sounding, wonderfully packaged reissue from Analogue Productions." Read the whole review here. — Robert Baird, Stereophile.com, May 2017

"(Side one) ends with the appropriately titled 'Happy Ways,' a Latin-tinged guitar-fest with lovely chunky bass lines that sounds absolutely glorious on this Analogue Productions pressing. The zing of steel string guitar almost sounds dead on the CD and tired on my ancient vinyl pressing, so this is clearly not one of those remasters that's based on an umpteenth generation copy of the tapes. ... You owe it to yourself to hear this album — and it will not sound any better than this spectacular pressing." — Recording = 8/10; Music 10/10 — Jason Kenedy, Hi-Fi+, Issue 148


Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show 12/31/1969 / Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix - Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show 12/31/1969

"Hendrix devotees are finally served with a full, unedited Band of Gypsys performance, unlike the eponymous album assembled from the second night's shows at Fillmore East: this is the complete debut of the Dec. 31, '69. While Hendrix-ologists may debate which is superior, this has an undeniable fluidity and coherence, and it's evident that Hendrix had a lot more to offer. Those who love Jimi as a bluesman — and who felt he should have done more with the genre — will feel chills when he cuts loose on 'Hear My Train a Comin' and 'Bleeding Heart.' One of the best posthumous Hendrix releases, it's like a bonus disc for one of the greatest live sets of all time." — Sound Quality: 90% - Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News, June 2017


Gimme Back My Bullets  / Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Back My Bullets

"The idea of two-disc, 45 RPM 200-gram audiophile LP reissues of Lynyrd Skynrd's first and next-to-last studio albums, each selling for $55, may seem an odd mix of high-brow sound with low-brow music, but doubters should suspend judgment until they hear the results. ... First released in February 1976, the perpetually underrated studio album Gimme Back My Bullets, which has yet to sell itself into platinum status, had much-improved sound over Skynyrd's earlier studio albums, due to the engineering skills of producer Tom Dowd, who served in the same roles for the original band's last studio album, Street Survivors (1977). By the fall of 1975, when Gimme Back My Bullets was made at the Record Plant, in Los Angeles, and Capricorn Studios, in Macon, Georgia, the sextet had also become a far more professional band. The arrangements were tighter, the playing more focused, and their mix of country and rock, tilted forever toward rock in tunes like 'Cry for the Bad Man,' had been honed to a fine edge. The newly vivid, intense sound is thanks to the remastering by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. While all the live tracks included on the 2006 CD/DVD reissue were genuine bonuses, this LP reissue will always be the way to hear this album. As is usual with Analogue Productions reissues, the heavyweight packaging is lush — and the pressing quality, from AP sister company Quality Record Pressings, is excellent. Best of all, these editions are the final sonic words on these albums. ... These albums have never sounded better, and it's not much of a leap to say they never will." — Performance = 4/5; Sonics 4/5 — Robert Baird, Stereophile, May 2017


Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd / Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd - Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd

"The idea of two-disc, 45 RPM 200-gram audiophile LP reissues of Lynyrd Skynrd's first and next-to-last studio albums, each selling for $55, may seem an odd mix of high-brow sound with low-brow music, but doubters should suspend judgment until they hear the results. ... such classics as the riff-rockin' 'Gimme Three Steps,' the power ballad 'Simple Man,' and the, um ... immortal (or is that unmercifully deathless?) 'Free Bird' have a previously unheard clarity and depth. No longer do the guitars of Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Ed King all run together in a sonic wash. A new level of definition makes Ronnie Van Zant's always surprisingly good vocals even more so. ... As is usual with Analogue Productions reissues, the heavyweight packaging is lush — and the pressing quality, from AP sister company Quality Record Pressings, is excellent. Best of all, these editions are the final sonic words on these albums. ... These albums have never sounded better, and it's not much of a leap to say they never will." — Performance = 4/5; Sonics 4/5 — Robert Baird, Stereophile, May 2017


Gil Evans and Ten / Gil Evans Gil Evans - Gil Evans and Ten

"On a fine new Analogue Productions 200gm stereo LP reissue of Gil Evans and Ten, (Prestige 7120) ($35), his first recording as a leader, the man's many strengths combined to create a tour de force. This is first time these recordings have been released in stereo on LP. For starters, there's the material, an impeccable selection of covers that opens with Irving Berlin's "Remember" and continues on Side A with Lead Belly's "Ella Speed" and finally "Big Stuff" from Leonard Bernstein's ballet, Fancy Free. The second side is equally distinguished, opening with Rodgers and Hart's "Nobody's Heart" and adding Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things," Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now," before closing with Evan's own, "Jambangle."" — Robert Baird, Stereophile.com, Mar 28, 2017. Read the whole review here.

"Part of Analogue Productions' series of 25 of the rarest and best sounding Prestige titles recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, this important reissue dates to 1957 and presents for the first time on vinyl in stereo Gil Evans' debut as both the leader of his own recording session as well as the pianist. ... Remastered by Kevin Gray and impeccably pressed at QRP, the sound is excellent. Tonally rich and warm, but not overly fat or golden, with an airy and expansive soundstage in which the main instruments occupy the front section, layering back to the supporting players, with the drums and bass (mostly) at rear. The horns, especially, are creamy-lush, drums have plenty of snap, and there's a terrific sense of balance and completeness to the whole." — Music = 4/5; Sonics = 4/5 - Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, May-June 2017

Buddy Holly / The Crickets/Buddy Holly The Crickets/Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly

"...the choice to purchase these Analogue Productions reissues boils down two considerations: whether you want the music configured as it was first released and whether these LPs sufficiently improve on the sound of earlier releases. ... Analogue Productions presents the original running order and artwork, and the covers, from Stoughton Printing, are first-rate. If all of that doesn't have you reaching for your wallet, then the improvement in sound should. Kevin Gray's remastering breathes new life into the music, enhancing tonality, dynamics and retrieval of inner detail. The sound of these reissues easily outstrips that of any prior releases." — Sound = 4/5; Music = 5/5 - Dennis Davis, The Audio Beat, April 28, 2017 Read the entire review here.


Henry Mancini - The Pink PantherHenry Mancini - The Pink Panther


"OK, it runs to less than a half-hour, it's a tad corny and we're talking about one of the funniest farces ever to star the incredible Peter Sellers, so you probably think you will never listen to it minus the visuals. But so sublimely well recorded is this 'golden era' RCA original, and so perfectly captured here on SACD, that it's enough to make you invest in the format if you haven't already. The theme tune is so instantly recognizable as to be a cliché, and the only reason it's not the release of the month is because I suspect you already own it. This is so gorgeous that you might find yourself bitten by the soundtrack bug ... and that can be expensive. A gem." Sound Quality = 91% - Ken Kessler, HiFi News, March 2017.

Peter Gunn / Henry Mancini Henry Mancini - Peter Gunn

"Soundtrack buffs are in for a treat because Chad Kassem's label is reissuing a number of Henry Mancini discs, and this gem from 1959 stands proud as much for being a stunning big band/jazz album as it does a score for a TV show. The first Grammy recipient for Album of the Year, it's an evocative, moody set that perfectly suited the noir atmosphere of the hugely successful detective series that ran from 1958 to 1961. I'm old enough to recall the soundtrack — it signalled my bedtime — and it still sends chills, images of rainy nights, trench coats and other private eye tropes. The orchestra included Victor Feldman, Paul Horn, soundtrack-wizard-to-be John Williams, Shelley Manne and other studio maestri. Fabulous!" — Sound Quality = 94% Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News, October 2016


The Royal Ballet Gala Performances / Ernest Ansermet The Royal Ballet Gala Performances/Ernest Ansermet

"Analogue Productions' Classic Records buyout brought with it metal parts for many albums, cut by Bernie Grundman, including for this record. ... AP chose to produce a new stamper using the "mother" cut from the original master tape by Bernie Grundman. ... I compared this 33 1/3 reissue to the Classic 33 1/3 reissue and to an original pressing that I'm lucky to own. ... The QRP pressing was definitely more open, extended and focused on top and transients were sharper though in a completely natural way. The Classic sounded somewhat softer and veiled. If you've got both, you'll hear it in the percussive transients first and then consistently throughout. ... If this is one of your "go to" sonic spectaculars and you have other versions, you ought to consider adding this one, though you'll have to wait for the re-re-press. Both the sound, including dead quiet vinyl, as well as the packaging are first-rate." — Music = 11/11; Sound = 11/11 - Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here.

Carney / Leon Russell Leon Russell - Carney

"Carney, produced by Denny Cordell, is Russell's best studio album until his final closing statement, 2014's Life Journey, though 1975's Will O' The Wisp also has its charms. ... Chad Kassem's Analogue Productions has wisely followed Russell's death with this superfine 200-gram, 331/3 reissue of this craggy 1970s landmark ... As is always the case with Analogue Productions records, great care was taken right down to replicating the original purple and green labels. Russell was a great low-key genius, the kind who would never get a second look in the hits-driven, teen-focused, desiccated music business of today." — Robert Baird, Stereophile.com, Feb. 9, 2017. Read the whole review here.


Quiet Kenny / Kenny Dorham Kenny Dorham - Quiet Kenny

"I've never heard an original pressing, but this reissue by Chad Kassem's Analogue Productions — a 200-gram QRP pressing, mastered at 33 1/3 RPM by Kevin Gray — is every bit the equal of Van Gelder's Blue Note LPs from the same era: the trumpet's brash brass and bushels of air, the pluck and wood of the bass, the sizzling hi-hat and smashing snare of the trap set. ... Listen to 'Blue Friday,' and you'll be reminded of the trumpet-led passages on 'Stolen Moments,' the high point of Oliver Nelson's The Blues and the Abstract Truth. There's a similar sound, and it's no accident." — Fred Kaplan, Stereophile, Feb. 8, 2017. Read the whole review here.



"I was so pleased with the job Analogue Productions did with their reissue of Out of the Cool, Evans's 1960 Impulse! album, that I immediately ordered their vinyl edition of Gil Evans & Ten when it became available. This is the recording's first release on vinyl in stereo ... The new LP more sharply presents Steve Lacy's soprano sax in Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things," and the instrument plays better against Evans's percussive piano lines. I could hear the band easing in behind Evans in the early moments of the track, and it sounded more dynamic as the arrangement built. Evans's high notes about two-thirds of the way through sound fuller, rounder toned, and more emphatic on the Analogue Productions LP. ... this new pressing reveals more depth and warmth in the sound, and lets me feel as if I'm closer to the band, and able to hear more of what's going on in the music." Musical Performance = 4 1/2 Stars; Sound Quality = 4 1/2 Stars; Overall Enjoyment = 4 1/2 Stars — Joseph Taylor, SoundStageUltra.com. Read the whole review here.


"I'm not exaggerating about the sound quality: It's amazing nor am I overstating the 'pure novelty' aspect of the arrangements. This is not 'serious' music but it is serious fun and so 1950's kitschy that as time passes it becomes more treasured as a 'moment in time' never to be repeated. I have original and Classic Records reissues but more recently Analogue Productions has reissued this cut from the three-track original tape by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound. Originals still go for well over a hundred dollars (I snagged one years ago at Record Surplus, Las Vegas for three bucks) so the new reissue, which I'm sure sounds great and is pressed on 200g vinyl at QRP, is reasonably priced." — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full take on "Three Percussion Records You Should Own," click here.


"In the late 1990s, Taj Mahal went on a 42-city tour with a gang of old, pure blues musicians. The producer, Tim Duffy, recorded several sessions on audiophile gear, but the tapes were stashed away, until a couple years ago, when the two took a listen, popped their eyes, and arranged with Chad Kassem, proprietor of Analogue Productions and owner of some of the world's best vinyl pressing plants, to put it out on LP. The music is a thorough delight; the sound quality is you-are-there vivid." — Fred Kaplan, Slate.com, December 2017

"Of course this music and this project is at the core of what Analogue Productions' Chad Kassem has been about since he began producing vinyl reissues so it was only natural and fitting that these two LPs have been released on the Analogue Productions label, lacquers cut by Kevin Gray, pressed at QRP and housed in gatefold 'Tip-on' Stoughton Press jackets festooned with evocative black and white session photos. Even if you know these chestnuts like 'Creole Bell,' 'John Henry' and 'Hambone' by heart, you'll experience them here with fresh life breathed into their musical arteries. ... Among my favorites is Taj's instrumental 'Zanzibar,' but really, every track is a treasure. ... Don't be a fool and let the resolution stop you. These are probably the best sounding damn "field recordings" you're likely ever to hear and the stripped-down music is transportive and magical." — Music = 9/11; Sound = 9/11 — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here.

"Labor of Love is a time capsule. Even if 1998 doesn't seem that long ago, it was. Stripping down a record to voices and acoustic instruments will cause anyone to think throwback, yet few can pull it off as genuine and procure it quite like Taj Mahal and friends. Proof positive that all it takes is a soul with something to