Tag: hifi

Radio Show – Rarities

Tonight’s show is uncommon albums in my collection.

The criteria I used to make my choices are pretty straightforward:

1. The album is in my collection
2. Less than 500 people have it (on Discogs)
3. They can’t be all jazz albums

If you’re not familiar with Discogs, it’s an online marketplace that allows you to catalog your collection of Music, regardless of medium. You can view my library [here]. There are over 9,000,000 releases on the website as of January of 2017 and 379,423 contributors of which I have a score of 1. Not first place, nor last but one of 346,567. Probably somewhere around the low 300,000’s.

Discogs shows you how many people have a release, the last time it was sold, and the average Low/Mid/High prices that it sold for. There is only one selection on tonights show that has not been sold on Discogs. Alongside the album title/song is how many people have and want the album on Discogs.

If you want to pick up any of the albums in this post, click the album cover to check it out on Amazon.

Bobby Blue Bland & B.B. King – Together Again – The Thrill is Gone 

(173 have 15 want)

I have two albums recorded by these two live, Together for The First Time, and Together Again. This one is my favorite of the two, but as I write this, I’m wanting to listen to the former for a comparison. The stage play between these two is hilarious. I would have loved to be there for this performance.

Kenny G (Featuring Michael Bolton) – Live (1989) Don’t Make Me Wait for Love

(129 have 42 want)

My first remembered concert was Kenny G performing in Jacksonville, Florida at a jazz festival. I was around 4 or 5, and that soprano sax was torture on my eardrums. I liked him on CD but didn’t have the aural capacity for him live. In hindsight, I wish I could have enjoyed that show. Enter this selection, there’s just something about Kenny G and Michael Bolton together.

The Foreign Exchange ‎– Authenticity – Make Me A Fool

(119 have 90 want)

If you’re not familiar with the Foreign Exchange, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Or you’ve been living under an aural rock, or you’re going to look them up right now…[here]. They didn’t press a lot of copies of this album, and I’m fortunate enough to have an autographed copy. I fell in love with their sound the first time I heard them; sometime during 2008 in my hometown of Washington DC.

John Coltrane – Giant Steps – Countdown

(225 have 267 want)

Jazz has always been a massive part of my life. My mother played a lot of Kenny G, Najee, and Miles. I developed my own tastes from my movie selections of my adolescence and teenage years. Love Jones was the first time my ears were graced with the tenor saxophone of John Coltrane, and now I have about 11 of his albums on vinyl. I think there are a few more to go.

Esperanza Spalding ‎– Emily’s D+Evolution – Rest In Pleasure

(318 have 114 want)

Having seen this album performed in its entirety live; twice, I can say that this is my most played Esperanza Spalding album. I’ve slowed down, it is one of my favorite albums and a special one. All of my albums are special, but I really bonded with the music of Emily (the alter ego of dear Esperanza).

Art Ensemble Of Chicago ‎– Les Stances A Sophie

(260 have 306 want)

I came across this album by recommendation of one of my trusted record store curators, and I knew nothing about it other than it was out of print.  I’m a sucker for hard to find albums [that sound good]. Though the album was recorded in Paris, the band hails from Chicago. The movie director commissioned the original music for the film when the group had only two weeks left on their French visas. It’s amazing what a time crunch can do.

Soul Scratch ‎– Pushing Fire – Look How Far We’ve Come

(33 Have 12 want)

This is a WOKE album, but not from who you would expect to see on the cover. I have a growing collection of albums from Colemine Records. If you want that sound of the 60’s and 70’s soul, you have a bevy of artists on the Colemine label to choose from. I also have enjoyed music from [Surefire Soul Ensemble, Durand Jones & The Indications], all from Colemine. Do yourself a favor and take a listen.

Yasiin Gaye: The Return (Side Two) – Travelin’ Man Pt. II (Distant Lovers Mix)

(420 Have 213 Want)

Amerigo Gazaway is a talented producer with quite the ear for matching up artists to create beautiful recreations of their work. I first heard, Yasiin Gaye: The Departure (Side One) about 3 years ago and I’ve been singing praise for it ever since. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet the criteria to be on tonight’s show; as 567 people had it. I’m glad for that though, more people should enjoy good music. He recently released A Common Wonder which you can listen to and download for free from his Bandcamp page.

Jaguar Wright – Denials Delusions And Decisions – The What If’s

(73 Have 39 Want)

Jaguar Wright was the answer to my soulful wishes when she dropped this album in 2001. She hit covers of songs from my childhood and sang over Scott Storch beats cementing her place in the Neo-soul genre. I liked her follow up album “…And Your Point Is” from 2004, but not so much “Divorcing Neo 2 Marry Soul” from 2005. I did like her cover of Woman to Woman, but it wasn’t her first album. Nor should it have been, as progress is life.

Sweetback ‎– Sweetback – Softly Softly

(33 Have 30 Want)

In 1999 the question, “What would Sade be like without Sade?” was answered and Sweetback made their debut. Having great synergy and several awards under their belts was icing on the cake, but they went and collaborated with the likes of Maxwell (who’s featured on this track), Amel Larrieux, and Leroy Osbourne (of Sade). The follow-up album Stage [2] released in 2003 was my soundtrack on my first deployment. I was searching for a good copy of the LP while I’m writing this, but it was never released (sigh).

Amy Winehouse, Antonio Pinto ‎– Amy (The Original Soundtrack) – We’re Still Friends

(81 Have 90 Want)

Amy Winehouse is one of three women I can listen to that covers Donnie Hathaway. The first being his daughter, Lalah Hathaway and the second being Vanessa Fernandez. Sadly we won’t be hearing any new music from Amy, but if you haven’t heard this track from her; you’re welcome.

Show Recordings

 

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10PM to 11PM PST on Thursday.  You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or using the TuneIn App. 

As always keep spinning.

Tom

I hope you enjoyed this post, to receive updates from Vinyl for The People delivered to your e-mail, subscribe here!  Don’t forget to follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Background Tracks:

Robert Glasper Experiment (Featuring Norah Jones) – Let It Ride
Esperanza Spalding – One

Vinyl for The People Radio Show – Between The Sheets

Tonight’s episode is a selection from one of my go-to playlists for getting in the mood for lovemaking. We’ll be covering a few genres as well as spanning a great deal of time. So, get your candles, toys, and partner ready for an epic hour.

Sade – Diamond Life – Your Love Is King
Catalog #: FR 39581

No bedtime playlist is complete without Miss Adu.  Pick any album and you’re golden.

Nat King Cole – Unforgettable – (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
Catalog #: DT 357

Can’t let this OG crooner escape the show.  Unforgettable is a must have for any R&B lover.  I’m working on a sample or two from this album.  

Melody Gardot ‎– My One And Only Thrill – Our Love Is Easy
Catalog #: ORG 161

This is an entire album of sexy.  Check out her catalog don’t miss out.  

Sadly some selections didn’t make the show

The only downside to having an all vinyl show is that I don’t have all of the albums that are on the complete playlist.  There are over 200 songs…and that would be much longer than my hour show.  Perhaps I’ll revisit this topic in another episode. 

D’Angelo – Brown Sugar – Lady
Catalog #: B0022834-01

It was hard to decide which D’Angelo album would make it to the show, but going with the first is a safe bet.

Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan* ‎– Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan – Sweet Thing
Catalog #: ABCD-909

While this was overall a party album, this is a stand out that made many magic moments.  What’s your favorite Rufus song?  Let me know in the comments.

Teddy Pendergrass – TP – Feel The Fire
Catalog #: FZ 36745

Teddy P is another of those artists that you can’t let escape a sexy time mix.  

When I’m setting the mood…

Candles have been a staple in my home since I lived in my moms’ garage.  Scented, unscented and manner of shapes and sizes.  They add depth to the experience.

Vanessa Fernandez – Use Me – Simply Beautiful
Catalog #: GRV 150-1

Use Me has made several appearances on the show and is in my top 10 albums in my collection.  This Al Green song is masterfully translated by Vanessa.

Miles Davis – Sorcerer – Sorcerer
Catalog #: MFSL 2-435

Sorcerer is an album recorded in May 1967 by the Miles Davis quintet. It is the third of five albums that this quintet recorded.  The album’s cover is a photo of actress Cicely Tyson, who at the time was Davis’s girlfriend (later his wife).

Norah Jones – The Vinyl Collection – Come Away With Me – Turn Me On
Catalog #: AAPP NJBOX33

Sweet, sweet Norah.  This box set can take you through the gambit of emotions, but her first album is still my favorite.

The Isley Brothers ‎– Forever Gold – (At Your Best) You Are Love
Catalog #: PZ 34452

Hello, would have made this list if I hadn’t played it on the show last week.  It’s easy to pick the Isley brothers to go on this list.

Bonnie Raitt ‎– Give It Up – Nothing Seems To Matter
Catalog #: BS 2643

This album surprised me.  It was bought without a listen, and this song sounds like one of those rainy night ballads that you put on while keeping warm beneath the sheets.

Maxwell ‎– blackSUMMERS’night – Fingers Crossed
Catalog #: 88985326691

Maxwell needs no explanation.  Ever.

Show Recordings

 

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday.  You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App. 

As always keep spinning,

Tom

I hope you enjoyed this post, to receive updates from Vinyl for The People delivered to your e-mail, subscribe here!  Don’t forget to follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Background Music on the show:

Sade – Smooth Operator
Maxwell – Gods

Vinyl for The People Radio Show – Love and Other 4 Letter Words – Episode 4

L-O-V-E.

This episode is what I find to be a soundtrack of the ups and downs of a relationship. What’s funny is I think we all can relate to the stages of a relationship. I chose the following songs to represent my understanding.  By the way, clicking the album covers will take you to Amazon to purchase the album.

 

Esperanza Spalding – Junjo, from the album of the same name and it immediately sets the tone for the 1st half of the show. They playful bass and the piano invoke the feelings of young love. It’s played loosely and fast-paced, but yields room for silence and quiet passages. Which demonstrate the periods of reflection one takes in the early days of a relationship, determining where it’s going.

John Coltrane – In A Sentimental Mood. It’s starting to get serious. There are profound moments and thoughts, and you start to wonder the staying power of your chosen partner in crime, but it seems pretty infallible. You’re making beautiful music.

Adele – Lovesong. If John Lennon doesn’t spell it out for you; you’re in love. The song does an excellent job professing the unyielding fealty that only a British singer could convey. If I had Lennon’s version on vinyl, it would have been on the show in place of Adele.

Isley Brothers – Hello It’s Me. Now that Love has filled the air, it can be a bit stifling. Growing pains from adapting to fit into the lives of one another, experimenting with new hobbies, foods, and people. The change isn’t why you were attracted, and the resentment of change can drive you apart. Ron Isley said it best, “don’t change, girl.” But guys should keep that in mind too.

Daft Punk – Nightvision. The introspective thoughts don’t go away, and you may wonder if you’re making the right decisions. This train of thought takes you to the second half of our show.

 

D-A-M-N.

Alabama Shakes – Miss You. Unfortunately for this couple, the uncertainty we left them in before the break ended the love affair. Now we reunite with them in denial. This song starts out slow but quickly ramps up the energy. There’s uncertainty in the lyrics and guitar, but the sentiment that I’m yours is made loud and clear. In the end, though, the fact of the matter is. I’m yours.

Miles Davis – So What. After the last track yielded no success, we move on to indifference, finding our subject in the heart of The Cool. Past love is just that, a fleeting memory we’ve carried on our journey to something better. Undergoing a period of self-dialogue and discovery; it’s an epiphany that our past doesn’t define our future. Cheers to new experiences.

The Weeknd – The Knowing. This track finds our subject inebriated on their favorite intoxicant. Drunk dialing. Sad, and indifferent in the midst of what could have been a good time. Melancholic memories drive the distressed guitar and pounding rhythm.

Maxwell – The Fall.  After that bender from the last track, the drunk dial yields a reply in the opening verse.  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and one that took a few listenings to appreciate all of the lyrics.  I find the vinyl version has a better mix than the digital, as a result, I don’t stream this album.  

Days go by slowly
I never know wholly
I see what you owe me
You never realize
That everything changes
And everything moves
And nothing is as it
Was when you lose

and our subject responds

Wait, wait, wait
Wait
Waiting for the…
Forgive me for waiting so long
For taking the time to rise and destroy
I was avoiding the thing that I…
I can’t feel you

And on that bombshell…we are right back where we started.

New/old Love…

Esperanza Spalding – One. Not lacking in love, nor haunted by its pain…our subject has discovered again that love is marvelous. That’s the great thing about love. It surrounds us, even in this time steeped in hatred, bigotry, and pretend. Love can be authentic if you let it.

I hope you enjoyed this episode of the show, and I look forward to sharing tunes with you every Monday night from 11 PM to 12 AM on 89.1 KNSJ here in San Diego, streaming at www.knsj.org, and available on your smart device using the Tune In App.

Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let me know what songs you would use to describe the phases of a relationship. I would love to read them.

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday.  You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App.

Show Recordings

 

 

 

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday.  You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App. 

As always keep spinning.

Tom

I hope you enjoyed this post, to receive updates from Vinyl for The People delivered to your e-mail, subscribe here!  Don’t forget to follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Visiting Record Stores in San Diego

San Diego Coronado Bridge

I think I like M-Theory & TANGG! Records

The beautiful city of San Diego and I are not strangers.  I lived here from 2008-2013, and it left a huge impact on me.  I built my first two channel stereo, learned to ride a motorcycle, forged friendships, worked aboard two submarines, and learned a lot about myself here.

Here’s my Virgin Vinyl Roadtrip to M-Theory Music

I did not, however, do much record digging.  When I left California, I had about 15 albums.  Most of them were records I picked up for the cover art or an artist I liked at a decent price.  I did not look at the albums I was digging so much as the cover art.  The albums that I loved the most were Count Basie – Super Chief, John Coltrane – A Love Supreme, Adele – 19, and Jimi Hendrix – Winterland.  I put some serious groove wear on those.

My Early Record Collection
My Early Record Collection

It didn’t help that my stylus was poorly aligned, nor that I wasn’t cleaning my records (at first).  Interesting how we apply things we learn isn’t it?  I started collecting records after watching Reign Over Me, the first serious Adam Sandler movie I’d ever seen.  

The mention of that film is significant because immediately after I turned it off, I went and bought a record player and two records, Count Basie – Super Chief [Columbia, CG 31224] and Duke Ellington – The Best Of Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra [Capitol, SM-1602].

Here’s my Vinyl Roadtrip to Taang! Records

Since then I’ve learned to take excellent care of my albums.  I clean and maintain them with products we carry at Taang Records!, house them in high-quality sleeves, catalog them on Discogs, and select them with a much more discerning eye.  

Taang! Records and M-Theory Music seem to be just what I want from a local shop.  I will miss my local store of over four years, Hungry Ear Records.  Ward, Dennie, Mary, and Jim are forever part of my memories.  I’m looking forward to seeing them at the 2017 Hawaii Record Fair.

Hawaii Record Fair 2015
Hawaii Record Fair 2015
What I found in my preliminary digs

While I was in Taang! Records, I came across a “6 Eye” copy of Miles Davis – Kind of Blue [Columbia, CS 8163] in VG+ condition.  I may be back for that one.  I picked up a copy of The Sure File Soul Ensemble – Out on The Coast [Colemine Records, CLMN 12014] from M-Theory.  The band is out of San Diego, and Out on The Coast is their second album, released in October of this year.  Looking forward to taking a listen once I get unpacked.  

Excited to be back in San Diego, and looking forward to the digging, sharing, and community we are going to build here.  If you have a place you would like me to visit, please send me a message here.  I look forward to hearing from you.

As always, keep spinning.

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Top 5 Stylus and Record Care Products for Vinyl Lovers

(Records Anonymous meeting)

“Hi, I’m Tom and I collect records.”

“Hi Tom.”

I’ve been collecting for about four years, and I try to keep my records in the best condition possible.  With used records I’ve picked up, there is most times an improvement in condition once they’re in my collection.  There are a few tools I use to keep my collection sounding and looking it’s best and I want to share those with you.

Carbon Fiber Record Cleaning Brush
Carbon Fiber Brush
  1. Carbon Fiber Record Cleaning Brush  – these inexpensive brushes remove particles (spoken pops and clicks) from your records and they get trapped in the bristles, but…how you’re supposed to clean them?  At $20 they aren’t the cheapest, but neither was that 1st pressing of Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae (I paid $130 for my copy).  I get a new one every year or so and move the old one to wet record cleaning duty, where it does the same job on records being added to my collection (more on that later in the post).

Stylus cleaning brush
Stylus cleaning brush
2. Stylus cleaning brush – these brushes are small and inexpensive, but do a great job of removing crud from your stylus; the part of the cartridge that comes in contact with the record (needle for you nonconformists).

MOFI Microfiber Brush
MOFI Microfiber Brush
3. Microfiber brush – these can be used dry or wet, but I only use my in wet record cleaning.  I use it to get cleaning solution in to the grooves of albums, and across the entire surface by applying moderate pressure and avoiding the label.  See the video below for a demo.

Single Inner Sleeve

4. Diskkeeper Audiophile Inner Sleeves – the sleeves that most of your albums come in are paper and put hairline scratches on your precious vinyl.  A few companies make sleeves for record storage and I’ve tried two, Mofi (Mobile Fidelity) and Diskkeeper.  If you have picked up a Mofi album, then you have seen their sleeves.  I find the Disk Keeper Audiophile Sleeve to be sturdier than the Mofi.  They are the same price for a 50 pack (which doesn’t go as far and I initially thought), so there is no “more $ is better”, it boils down to preference.

Resealable Outter Sleeve
Resealable Outter Sleeve
5. Outer Record Sleeves – I loathe dust, I don’t really care for dusting…disdain for the former leads me to the latter.  I probably wouldn’t have a record collection if I had to dust it.   Which led me to using these to protect my lovelies from the elements.  I went with Diskkeeper for this product too, choosing the sealing variety.  They cost more than the non sealing version, but if you’re going to do something…get what you want.  No fingerprints, dust or greasy fingers on my records while making a selection or passing for someone to look upon.  It looks pretty spiffy too.  See below.

Am I right?

7" 45 inner sleeve
7″ 45 inner sleeve
I don’t really collect 45’s, but I have sleeves for them too, the same variety I use for LP’s.  I made the decision to sleeve early into collecting (around 40 albums) so it wasn’t a huge investment in time or money, rather something I factor into my record buying budget for the month.  My initial investment for my sleeves (100 of inner and outer, plus 25 double LP sleeves) $125.  The order lasted about 9 months, mileage may vary…depending on how often you dig.

Are you ready to try these products out on some of your freshly cleaned records?

Take advantage of our introductory Record Cleaning Service special.

Includes:
  • Six stage wet cleaning – dust removal, two passes of wet cleaning on my VPI 16.5, ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum drying, and static removal.
  • Upgraded sleeves (all listed above) to include Audiophile Inner Sleeves, Resealable Outer Sleeves
  • Return Shipping

Contact me for more information.

Virgin Vinyl Sunday – Sound & Color

Hello and happy Virgin Vinyl Sunday!  Today, I’ve chosen Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color.  Their second album, and one that gets regular play in my home.  I’ve been putting the finishing touches on, “For The Love of Records”.   I hope you like it.  Releasing on July 26th.  Enjoy!

Virgin Vinyl Sunday – Amy Original Soundtrack

It’s late, and I’ve been doing a lot today, had a live stream showing how I clean records, cleaned a lot of records, did some household things…but I wanted to change how I do Virgin Vinyl Sunday.  I put two cameras to use and I think you’ll like the results.  Comment below and share your thoughts.  I present to you Amy – The Original Soundtrack.

10,000 feet to the nearest turntable

 

Sunrise just below the summit of Haleakalā

This weekend has been great.  I got to spend some time on a gorgeous island with the woman I love, watched the sunrise from above 10,000 feet, got beat up by some coral, and ate some amazing food.

What was missing? The smell of vinyl, filling my nostrils by way of digging for new additions to my collection.  In addition to the fact that I hadn’t listened to a record in 4 days; I was going through withdrawals.  Which led me to this post.

Searching for a record store on Maui yielded four results; two of them movie rental relics (akin to Blockbuster Video), a recording studio, and Request Music which is closed on Sunday, and having been up since 2:20AM…(to take the picture at the top of this post) this was our last day on the island and there is no denying an opportunity to go digging, (if there were there would be no need for this website).

Request Music on Maui

So I walk in, music playing at a healthy level, a few records on display, some trinkets, CD’s, tapes…but I came for the basement.  I found a few images on Yelp, but nothing that screamed…”come down here and dig!” I never needed to hear that though, the records whisper to you if you have the time and desire.

The basement was…full of records, all on shelves.  There were hails to the 80’s and 90’s with a Schlitz malt liquor clock, and things familiar to a child of the 80’s like Zima, transporting me to Uptown DC (Northwest Washington, District of Columbia for the uninitiated) bringing thoughts of Chuck Brown, the god father of Go-Go music.

As I’m down in the basement the floor above is being vibrated by tracks ubiquitous to my adolescence from A Tribe Called Quest.  I was searching for Jazz today though, Astrid Gilberto in particular.

Heading back upstairs with a single dig in hand, I wanted to see the new titles they had in stock.  When I visit record stores I engage the people working there.  Converse to get a sense of their level of involvement with the shop and music as a whole, that’s when I met Jeremy, the curator of music at Request on Monday.  Turns out he’s been following me on Instagram (@vinylforthepeople) for a little while, we talked about the albums we are holding in the picture below for about 30 minutes, until I asked my lady to snap this picture.

@Jeremyjarvis808 and I at Request Records

I’m excited to share my digs with you in the next post, and later this week Jeremy tells us a bit about Request Records in a Record Roadtrip Video.

Until next time, keep spinning.

Hawaii Record Fair 2015

P.S. – Like the Facebook Page, and follow on Instagram!

So I got some speakers

“Hey do you need help getting those home?”

They gave me a demo pair to take home…they don’t fit in to a convertible too well.  Enter the serious audiophile…”Hey, do you need help getting those to your house.”  I had just me this gentleman, moments ago.  He wasn’t affiliated with the shop, just a regular customer.  We talked about tubes (a story for another post), and how long he had been collecting and how is wife was supportive of the hobby (she’s a rare one, huh?).  I took him up on his offer.  We carefully put the speakers that were 2/3 as tall as I am in his cavernous volvo sedan, and he followed me the 8 miles to my house.

Having someone to help me set them up, and talk about the audio was nice, we sat and listened for a while…

I took him to my project studio and a completely different audio conversation started taking place.  “You make music too!” I told him I dabbled around, and played a few tracks I had been working on.  He was floored, and offered to give me some recordings he had made on 2” tape and put on CD.  We saw one another at the shop more than a few times before I relocated to Hawaii, but I never got those recordings from him. Sadly.

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