🎶 Jazz Highlights October 2025
Masterpieces in perfect sound - new Venus Records pressings on 180g vinyl
There are labels that arouse anticipation of musical and sonic perfection at the mere sight of their logo. Venus Records Japan is undoubtedly one of them. For decades, it has been a fixture for audiophile jazz fans worldwide - with lovingly produced recordings, characteristic cover design and that inimitable, silky sound that unfolds its full magic on the finest analog devices.
The current series of Japanese 180g double LPs impressively continues this tradition: timeless jazz standards, rousing original compositions, great musicians - and a sound that is simply breathtakingly natural. For collectors and connoisseurs alike, these editions are real gems: limited, immaculately produced and with a sound that goes far beyond the usual.
Below we present the new highlights - each one a jewel in its own right.
Charles McPherson Quartet - But Beautiful
When an old master like Charles McPherson goes into the studio, you can look forward to jazz in its purest form. The saxophonist, who performed alongside Charles Mingus back in the 1960s, has proven over the decades that style, expression and technical mastery can go hand in hand. But Beautiful is a late gem in his oeuvre - an album full of elegance, substance and that warm noblesse that can only be found in artists who have never sought quick effects.
Recorded for Japan's Venus Records - the label that has been synonymous with audiophile perfection for years - the double LP was produced on 180g vinyl (VHJD-338) with the utmost precision. The pressing impresses with silky three-dimensionality, tangible instrumental representation and a natural warmth that allows McPherson's sound to shine in perfect light.
The repertoire - standards and original compositions - unfolds in an almost chamber-music-like calm. Particularly impressive: the title track But Beautiful, in which McPherson's tone sounds like a conversation between old friends - unagitated, wise, beautiful.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-338
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EAN: 4580051153857
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Enrico Rava Quartet - Renaissance
The Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava is one of the great poets of European jazz. His playing: lyrical, clear, often infused with quiet melancholy - and always carried by a deep musicality. Renaissance captures this characteristic perfectly. The album is a masterpiece of atmospheric jazz artistry, with an intimacy that is immediately captivating.
Recorded in the characteristically warm Venus sound, the recording conveys an almost physical sense of space. The trumpet floats freely in the stereo image, while the quartet delicately plays around Rava's lines. It is this transparency that audiophile listeners appreciate so much: every note, every nuance becomes audible without the overall flow losing any of its naturalness.
Renaissance is like a quiet conversation between friends about topics that only music can express - about transience, beauty and renewal. An album that should be listened to in peace, preferably on an excellently adjusted analog chain, in order to experience the depth and clarity of the pressing.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-340
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EAN: 4580051153871
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Joe Beck Trio - Brazilian Dreamin'
The American guitarist Joe Beck was a musician who never fitted into a box - studio legend, jazz virtuoso, arranger for Sinatra and Ellington in equal measure. With Brazilian Dreamin', Beck shows a different side to his skills: a soft, South American-inspired sound world full of lightness and a sense of rhythm.
The album is a tribute to the Brazilian musical tradition, but Beck lends it his unmistakable, cool swing. Recorded in crystal-clear Venus aesthetics, the music breathes the Rio sun, translated into immaculately transparent studio acoustics. The sound is airy, finely resolved - guitar strings sparkle, the bass sounds round and catchy, the percussion precise but never intrusive.
Anyone who loves the subtle shades between jazz and bossa nova will listen to Brazilian Dreamin' on repeat. This pressing brings the magic of acoustic instruments so directly into the living room that you almost think the trio is playing live in front of you.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-335
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EAN: 4580051153826
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Eddie Higgins Trio - Christmas Songs
Anyone who loves jazz knows that when the first cold days arrive, it's time for Eddie Higgins. Hardly any other pianist combines classical jazz harmony, warmth and lyrical playing as elegantly as he does. Christmas Songs is not just a seasonal album - it is a collection of timeless, quiet moments full of grace and musical sensitivity.
The trio interprets familiar Christmas classics with a restraint that touches: gently swinging, full of space and with impeccable sound balance. The Venus pressing on 180g double vinyl (VHJD-331) reveals a wonderfully velvety sound. The piano sounds natural, never harsh, the bass clearly outlined, the drums subtly in the background - a prime example of how analog jazz should sound.
At this time of year in particular, Christmas Songs is a record that you will put on again and again - because it is not only festive, but also musically great.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-331
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EAN: 4580051153789
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Eddie Higgins Trio - Christmas Songs 2
If you haven't had enough after the first album, you're in for a treat: Christmas Songs 2 continues the magical atmosphere - with new arrangements, subtle swing and the understated elegance that makes Eddie Higgins so unmistakable.
Here too, the Venus double LP (VHJD-332) impresses with its breathtaking transparency and musical intimacy. The recording conveys the feeling of sitting right in the studio - the pedal noises of the piano, the light breathing between takes, the natural reverberation of the room: it's all there, it's all real.
A tip for lovers of fine jazz moments: Christmas Songs 2 is not just a festive album - it works all year round, as a haven of peace in the midst of hectic days.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-332
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EAN: 4580051153796
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Eddie Higgins Trio - Bewitched
With Bewitched, Eddie Higgins returns to his roots: lyrical, classic jazz, presented on Venus Records in sonic perfection. The album is pure elegance - an interplay between cool understatement and subtle emotionality.
The 180g double LP (VHJD-261) is a prime example of the audiophile art of pressing: warm, spacious, with perfect channel separation and precise dynamics. The grand piano sounds tangibly realistic, the attacks have substance and reverberation, the bass is stable in the room.
Higgins plays here with a balance of structure and freedom that has become rare. Bewitched is not an album that needs to be heard loudly - it unfolds its magic in silence if you listen carefully.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-261
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EAN: 4580051152874
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Nicki Parrott - Close To You: Burt Bacharach Song Book
Bassist and singer Nicki Parrott dedicates Close To You to one of the greatest songwriters of all time: Burt Bacharach. Her warmly timbred voice and the sensitive trio arrangement allow well-known classics such as The Look of Love or Walk On By to appear in a new light.
In terms of sound, this Venus double LP (VHJD-333) is a feast. Parrott's voice is centered in the room, silky and clear, while the bass sounds full-bodied. The recording captures every nuance - the light bowing of the strings, the breathing between phrases.
A Bacharach album for audiophile listeners - charming, light-footed and with that warm sound signature that makes Venus Records so unique.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-333
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EAN: 4580051153802
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Eric Alexander Quartet - Gentle Ballads II
Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is one of the great voices of modern mainstream jazz. With Gentle Ballads II he proves once again that restraint is often the strongest form of expression.
The recording shows Alexander from his most lyrical side - carried, warm, emotionally deep. The whole thing appears on Venus Records in dreamlike sound quality: a spacious stereo stage, silky high frequencies, finely graduated dynamics. You can hear how every breath, every suspended note becomes part of the story that this album tells.
A must for fans of classic ballad jazz and for all those who know that great emotion often lies in silence.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-334
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EAN: 4580051153819
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Phil Woods Quintet - Ballads & Blues
Old master Phil Woods was one of the most elegant alto saxophonists of his generation. On Ballads & Blues he shows why: mature phrasing, tasteful lines, deep understanding of the ballad form.
Venus Records captures this quintet in exquisite studio quality - the sound is open, warm and rich in detail. The saxophone is in the center of the room, without harshness, while the piano and rhythm section form a soft, bouncy base.
This recording is jazz at its finest - classic, emotional and sonically flawless.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-337
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EAN: 4580051153840
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Rob Agerbeek Trio - The Very Thought Of You
Dutch pianist Rob Agerbeek is one of those underrated masters who have quietly achieved great things over the decades. His trio album The Very Thought Of You is an ode to classical piano jazz - elegant, rhythmically balanced and full of warmth.
What is immediately noticeable is the extraordinary sound culture of this Venus double LP (VHJD-336). The piano sounds full and physical, the overtones resonate freely, while the bass and drums create an intimate, harmonious atmosphere. It is this naturalness that makes the Venus sound so special - no overproduced gloss, but pure, authentic studio acoustics.
Musically, Agerbeek shows his full stylistic range here: from the restrained swinging title track to subtle blues and bop notes. A quiet, mature album that is best enjoyed in a quiet hour - ideal for fans of classic jazz trios in top audiophile form.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-336
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EAN: 4580051153833
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Vladimir Shafranov meets Harry Allen - Dear Old Stockholm
A meeting of two sound worlds: the Russian-Finnish pianist Vladimir Shafranov and the American tenor saxophonist Harry Allen meet on Dear Old Stockholm for a transatlantic jazz dialog that sparkles with warmth and joy of playing.
Allen, known for his soft, classical tone in the tradition of Stan Getz, finds an ideal partner in Shafranov. The chemistry is immediate - their interplay is intuitive, subtle and deeply relaxed.
The recording (VHJD-339) is typical Venus: clear, full-bodied, with the depth of space that characterizes good analog recordings. The saxophone sounds silky, the piano round and present, and you have the feeling of sitting in the middle of the musicians.
A fine piece of jazz culture - light-footed, elegant and with a sound that makes the air vibrate.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-339
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EAN: 4580051153864
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Speak Low
Anyone who talks about audiophile jazz recordings cannot ignore Tsuyoshi Yamamoto. Since the legendary "Midnight Sugar" sessions, his name has been synonymous with Japanese perfection on the piano - powerful, nuanced, technically brilliant and deeply emotional.
Speak Low (VHJD-266) shows Yamamoto in top form. His touch is precise, the dynamics impressive and the trio's playing is in perfect balance. In terms of sound, this double LP is one of the references in the Venus catalog: a wide, open space, fine midrange separation and that unmistakable, silky high tone that makes analog playback an experience.
Anyone looking for a record that sets standards both musically and in terms of sound will find what they are looking for here. A classic in new splendor - Yamamoto at its best.
Technical details:
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180g vinyl, double LP
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Catalog number: VHJD-266
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EAN: 4580051152928
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RRP: 89,00 €
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Label: Venus Records Japan
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Conclusion - Venus Records in perfection
With this series, Venus Records Japan once again proves why the label enjoys a legendary reputation among audiophiles worldwide. Each pressing is a small work of art - from the selection of musicians to the sensitive recording to the flawless production on 180-gram vinyl.
Whether lyrical ballads, elegant modern jazz or subtle Christmas spirit - all these albums have one common denominator: sound culture at the highest level. They bring the soul of jazz into our living rooms, tangible, genuine, unobtrusive - the way music should sound.
Available soon in the Klangheimat online store:
👉 www.klangheimat.de/audiophile-tontraeger
🎶 Classic Jazz Reissues - October 2025
Timeless masters - reissued on 180 g vinyl by Analogue Productions
When talking about audiophile jazz culture, one name always comes up: Analogue Productions. Chad Kassem's label has stood for uncompromising quality for decades - whether in mastering, pressing or packaging. Every release is a statement of analog craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The three reissues in this round-up are more than just reissues - they are reunions with musical legends brought back to life in pristine sound.
The Clark Terry Five - Memories Of Duke
A tribute to the great Duke Ellington, recorded by one of his most loyal companions: Clark Terry. The trumpeter and flugelhorn player, known for his virtuosity and unmistakable humor in his playing, pays tribute to his mentor here with palpable affection and musical class.
Memories Of Duke captures the essence of the Ellington sound - swinging, warm and full of nuances. The quintet performs with joy and respect, and the recording conveys the feeling of attending a late session in the studio.
In terms of sound, Analogue Productions delivers a prime example: the 180 g LP (AAPJ 195) has been mastered with the utmost precision, the spatiality is wide, the instruments vivid and dynamic. The warmth of the wind instruments, the fine drumming - everything blends into a harmonious whole.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, LP
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Catalog number: AAPJ 195
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EAN: 0753088019517
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RRP: 48,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Benny Carter & Oscar Peterson - Benny Carter Meets Oscar Peterson
A summit meeting of two giants: Benny Carter, the gentleman of the alto saxophone, and Oscar Peterson, the undisputed master of the jazz piano. This session is a lesson in communication, swing and mutual respect.
Carter plays with polished elegance, Peterson responds with sparkling virtuosity - and both merge into a chamber music dialog full of ease.
The new Analogue Productions 180 g vinyl edition (AAPJ 192) offers exactly the sound you would expect from such an encounter: present, lively, with natural dynamics and the finest overtone spectrum. The mastering preserves the warmth of the original, while the pressing quality is flawless - no noise, no crosstalk, just pure music.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, LP
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Catalog number: AAPJ 192
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EAN: 0753088019210
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RRP: 48,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Swiss Movement
Swiss Movement - recorded live at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival - is one of the most electrifying live records in jazz history. Pianist Les McCann and tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris ignited a firework display of soul, funk and jazz that left its mark on generations.
The reissue by Analogue Productions (AAPA 071-45) brings back this legendary performance in audiophile perfection: as a 45 rpm double LP on 180 g vinyl. The difference to the original pressing is striking - the room opens up, the audience is palpable, the interplay explosive.
The classic Compared To What in particular benefits enormously from the new transfer: powerful, rousing, crystal clear. A prime example of how live jazz can sound on vinyl when it is remastered with love.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, double LP (45 rpm)
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Catalog number: AAPA 071-45
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EAN: 0753088757174
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RRP: 72,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Conclusion - classics in new sonic splendor
These three reissues impressively demonstrate to the eyes - and ears! - why Analogue Productions is considered a reference. Every detail, every note, every breath has been preserved with respect for the original and technically perfected.
If you want to know what jazz can really sound like on vinyl, you will find the answer here: organic, lively, analog - and timelessly beautiful.
Available soon in the Klangheimat online store:
👉 www.klangheimat.de/audiophile-tontraeger
🎶 Rock & Soul Audiophile Editions - October 2025
Legendary recordings, remastered on 180 g vinyl
While Venus Records captures the finest nuances of jazz, Analogue Productions is equally dedicated to the icons of rock & soul.
The new vinyl releases here are no mere reissues - they are lovingly restored sound documents that have made history.
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin's rise to the "Queen of Soul" began with this album in 1967. The very first bars of Respect or Do Right Woman, Do Right Man make it clear: this is a woman singing with unshakeable strength and dignity.
The new Analogue Productions 45 rpm double LP (AAPA 016-45) presents this classic with unprecedented clarity. Franklin's voice is centered in space - raw, emotional, palpable. The Muscle Shoals band provides a foundation of warm bass, vibrant drums and shimmering horns.
The sound has body, dynamics and depth - as if you were sitting in the middle of Studio A in Alabama. An essential pressing for soul lovers and proof that analog sound can give you heart and goosebumps at the same time.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, double LP (45 rpm)
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Catalog number: AAPA 016-45
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EAN: 0753088751677
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RRP: 83,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Bad Company - Desolation Angels
Late 70s rock in its purest form: Desolation Angels (1979) marks the pinnacle of Bad Company's era of success. Paul Rodgers' voice, Mick Ralphs' guitars and Simon Kirke on drums - this is British blues rock with soul.
The reissue as a 45 rpm double LP (AAPA 058-45) shows what this production is capable of: the guitars sound powerful and open, the bass is deep and the vocals are razor-sharp in the mix. No comparison to older pressings - here the music finally breathes freely.
Analogue Productions delivers a technically perfect, noise-free pressing with a spacious stereo stage and powerful dynamics. One of those records that you turn up louder the longer it plays.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, double LP (45 rpm)
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Catalog number: AAPA 058-45
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EAN: 0753088755873
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RRP: 72,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Humble Pie - Smokin'
When it comes to raw, energetic rock, there's no way around Humble Pie. Smokin' from 1972 is perhaps their best album - raw, honest and full of power. Steve Marriott sings like his life is at stake and the band plays with unbridled passion.
The 45 rpm double LP (AAPP 168-45) from Analogue Productions is a revelation: the sound is explosive but precise. Guitar riffs crackle, the snare pops, the bass pushes powerfully - and yet everything remains transparent.
Anyone who loves analogue rock sound will adore this pressing. It brings the raw energy of the original recordings to a level that gives the term "audiophile" a new meaning.
Technical details:
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180 g vinyl, double LP (45 rpm)
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Catalog number: AAPP 168-45
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EAN: 0753088168079
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RRP: 72,00 €
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Label: Analogue Productions
→ Product page at Sieveking Sound
Conclusion - sound, power and cult
With these reissues, Analogue Productions proves that audiophile quality is not just for jazz purists.
Rock & soul also benefit enormously from analog mastery: more dynamics, more depth, more feeling.
Whether the raw energy of Smokin', the emotional grandeur of Aretha Franklin or the earthy elegance of Desolation Angels - each of these records shows that sound quality is always part of the artistic statement.
Available soon in the Klangheimat online store:
👉 www.klangheimat.de/audiophile-tontraeger
