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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…
“On a Mobile Fidelity version of Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms, I heard a wealth of scintillating detail and instruments that popped out from the background with shape and aliveness.”
In a world dominated by smartphones and wireless earbuds, it’s easy to forget the trailblazers of portable audio that paved the way. This journey through the history and evolution of portable music players is filled with innovation, cultural shifts, and technological marvels. Let’s dive into the groovy history and evolution of portable music players, a…
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,…
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…
July 12, 1979, started like any other summer evening at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The White Sox were set for a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. But as night fell, baseball fans, rock aficionados, and disco haters converged in what would become one of the most infamous promotions in sports history—Disco Demolition Night. Orchestrated by…
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, July 6, 1957, in the quaint setting of St. Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool, a musical phenomenon was about to be set in motion. John Lennon, a 16-year-old with a rebellious streak and a love for rock ‘n’ roll, was performing with his skiffle group, The Quarry Men, at…
June 25 holds a special place in music history, marking both the release of an iconic album and the passing of a legendary artist. On this date in 1984, Prince released his groundbreaking album “Purple Rain,” a record that would redefine his career and solidify his place in the pantheon of music greats. Little did…
On June 5, 1956, Elvis Presley stepped onto the stage of The Milton Berle Show, ready to perform his latest single, “Hound Dog.” Little did anyone know, this performance would become one of the most talked-about moments in television history and a defining point in the evolution of rock and roll. Presley, already a rising…
From the PMA vault, this article was initially published in August 2022 and is worth revisiting. One of my favourite and most memorable listening experiences this year was of the state-of-the-art Dayton Wright Hommage (French for Homage) loudspeaker, a cutting-edge re-imagining and redesign of the Dayton Wright XG-10 of yore. The Hommage uses nine XG-10…
In the spring of 1963, The Beatles embarked on a tour that would irrevocably change not only their careers but also the cultural landscape of the 1960s. Starting on May 18 at the Adelphi Cinema in Slough, England, this tour was more than just another series of concerts; it was the genesis of Beatlemania and…
Studio 54 flung open its glamorous doors on April 26, 1977, and with its opening, it instantly cemented itself as the crown jewel of Manhattan’s nightlife. This wasn’t just a club; it was a nocturnal kingdom where the elites of Hollywood, fashion, art, and music came to play. The stories of its decadence, celebrities, and…
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital music, the quest for pristine sound quality amidst the convenience of digital formats has led to the creation of an array of lossless audio codecs. These formats serve as a beacon for audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike, offering a sanctuary where the integrity of sound is preserved in its…
April 4, 2024 (Montreal, Canada) – MOON will be showcasing an incredible reference system at this year’s Axpona. The new MOON 861 power amplifier and MOON 891 network player/preamplifier will make their US show debut and will combine with MOON’s 810LP phono amp, 820S power supply, and a Clearaudio Concept Signature turntable to deliver an…
Early Crescendos: The Formative Years of Antonia Brico In the rich tapestry of classical music history, Antonia Louisa Brico’s narrative is a compelling saga of tenacity, pioneering spirit, and sublime artistry. Born under the shadow of societal constraints in Rotterdam on June 26, 1902, to an unmarried Dutch Catholic mother, Brico’s journey from an obscure…