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When N.W.A. released Straight Outta Compton on August 8, 1988, it marked a seismic shift in music, culture, and the way America viewed hip-hop. The album was a raw and unfiltered portrayal of life in the streets of South Central Los Angeles, delivered with an urgency and authenticity that had never been heard before. Not…
The ported, two-way, CA$ 6000/pair standmount Yamaha NS-800A oozes quality—it’s hefty, feels impeccably built, has a curvaceous body, and comes with big, robust binding posts that feel like iron door knockers between your fingers. It also comes in a beautiful black finish, said by Yamaha to be the same signature gloss finish used on the…
In the annals of rock history, few moments resonate as deeply as the summer of 1980 when AC/DC unleashed their thunderous masterpiece, “Back in Black.” This wasn’t just any album release; it was a seismic shift that redefined the band’s legacy and left an indelible mark on the world of rock ‘n’ roll. Rising from…
In January 1983, a now-iconic photograph was taken backstage at the Ritz in New York City. It featured Tina Turner, David Bowie, and Keith Richards, capturing a moment of musical camaraderie and mutual respect that symbolized a pivotal period in Turner’s career. The early 1980s were a challenging time for Tina Turner. After breaking free…
Before the Berlin Wall fell, it wasn’t just a physical barrier; it was a scar running through the heart of a divided city. For nearly three decades, it symbolized the ideological conflict between East and West, splitting families and friends, and casting a shadow over Berlin. Potsdamer Platz, the concert’s location, held heavy symbolism from…
On June 18, 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival bore witness to a performance that would become legendary in the annals of rock history. Jimi Hendrix, a relatively unknown guitarist at the time, took the stage and delivered a performance that catapulted him into superstardom and forever changed the landscape of rock music. This electrifying set,…
The Vinyl Beat is a new column that will dig up notable vinyl nuggets, past and present.
On July 15, 1989, the historic and picturesque Venice Lagoon in Italy became the stage for one of the most iconic concerts in rock history. Pink Floyd, the legendary British rock band, performed a free concert that drew an estimated 200,000 people, with countless more tuning in to the live broadcast. This event is etched…
In the pantheon of rock and pop gods, few names resonate as powerfully as Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson. Now imagine, if you will, the sheer cosmic magnitude of these two titans crossing paths, not on a stage, but in the intimate confines of a recording studio. Yes, it happened. Freddie Mercury, the flamboyant frontman…
On July 13, 1973, the tectonic plates of rock music shifted dramatically. On that day, an unassuming yet audacious British band named Queen unleashed their self-titled debut album, “Queen.” This seismic release marked the genesis of a band destined to transcend the boundaries of rock, etching their indomitable legacy into the annals of music history.…
Berlin, a city renowned for its vibrant music scene and cultural diversity, has embraced the audiophile movement with several venues dedicated to high-fidelity sound experiences. Here, we explore five of the city’s premier hi-fi havens: Anima, Bar Neiro, Rhinoçéros, Unkompress, and Bankert Vinyl Café. 1. Anima Location: Friedrichshain (East Side Gallery area)Features: Combines high-quality sound…
On July 11, 1969, as the world braced for the monumental Apollo 11 moon landing, an emerging David Bowie released “Space Oddity,” a song that would soon become a defining anthem of the space age. Just days before humans first set foot on the moon, Bowie’s cosmic tale of Major Tom captured the imagination of…
On September 21, 1978, during Bruce Springsteen’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town” tour, a memorable moment occurred at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey. This iconic night featured Bruce Springsteen riding on the shoulders of Clarence Clemons, an act that symbolized their profound camaraderie and the electrifying energy of their live performances. The…
Latest generation of NAD’s popular compact, value-driven “just add speakers” solution upgraded with ESS Sabre DAC, MM phono input, Dirac Live readiness, and Dolby Digital decoding.
“What I’m going to say now with 100% certainty is that I had never heard these two recordings sound better than they did in that room.”