Although they were the go-to (in fact, the only) sources for audiophiles at the very start of the stereo era, reel-to-reel tapes and tape decks dropped off the screen in the 1980s, only to make a totally unexpected comeback in the 2000s, when The Tape Project (see below) started releasing tasty titles on 15ips two-track.

Since then, tapes and tape machines (most of them refurbished, though some—like the Ballfinger M 063 H5 and the Metaxas & Sins Tourbillon and Papillon—brand-new) have been enjoying a mini-comeback. Nowadays, you see and hear a large number of R2R decks at trade shows worldwide, especially in ultra-high-end displays, where the best possible playback is critical.

If you’re willing to do the research and not troubled by purchasing bootleg copies, you can find any title—or, at least, any title recorded on analog tape (and even some recorded digitally)—on R2R. But, if you want to remain strictly legal and have full confidence in the quality of the source, you will also find a large selection of completely legitimate R2Rs in the audiophile marketplace.

To help you out—and give credit to the folks who support this growing ultra-high-end niche—I’ve made a list of every tape I could find that is currently on fully legal sale (as of this issue of TAS). Please understand that, unlike my SuperLP List, these tapes are not (yet) being recommended for great sonics. Though, by their very nature (see my review of the UHA SuperDeck in Issue 319), 15ips tapes are closer to mastertapes than any LP and have built-in sonic advantages over and above that, not all of them are created equal—just as not every LP or digital file is created equal. That said, most of the 15ips tapes I’ve heard (and I’ve heard quite a few) are, at the very least, pretty darn good—and a lot of them are downright extraordinary.

So, if you have the money to play in this (pricey) market, here is a list of the R2R titles you can currently buy (and the companies you can buy them from). As time goes by, I will attempt to listen to as many of these tapes as I can, and grade them sonically. For the time being, unless you’re familiar with the title on disc or vinyl, or have heard the tape, caveat emptor.

 

2xHD (Jazz), elusivedisc.com, acousticsounds.com

2xHD is the fruit of a partnership between Canadian producer/musician/recording engineer Andrew Perry (whose world-class facility, Le Studio, has been home to The Police, Sting, Asia, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Keith Richards, and many others) and Nagra Audio’s René Laflamme.  René’s superb reel-to-reel recordings have won “Best Sound in Show” no fewer than 40 times. Price: $450 + shipping for each metal-reel, ¼”, two-track, 15ips, CCIR tape.

 

Monty Alexander, Love You Madly: Live At Bubba’s Vol. 1

Bill Evans, Top of the Gate Vol. 1

Bill Evans, Some Other Time

Shirley Horn, Softly

The L.A. Network: Dave Brubeck Redux

The L.A. Network, Ella On Our Mind

Pierre Hetu, Mussorgsky Pictures At An Exhibition

Piltch & Davis, Take One

The Salt City Six Plays The Classics In Dixieland

Buddy Tate/Harry Edison, I Cried For You

Trio de Curda, Libertango

Various, Audiophile Analog Collection, Vol. 1

Various: Audiophile Analog Collection, Vol. 2

 

ABC (Int’l) Records (Pop/Jazz/Classical/Other), abcrecord.com

This Chinese company reissues titles from ABC International Records’ catalog (along with new recordings made with Chinese musicians) on ¼”, 2-track, 15ips stereo tapes. Price: $380 per studio master.

 

Salvatore Accardo, Carmen Fantasie

Salvatore Accardo, Magic Violin

Ernest Ansermet, The Royal Ballet Gala Performances A

Ernest Ansermet, The Royal Ballet Gala Performances B

Louis Armstrong, What A Wonderful World

Eva Cassidy, 30^th Anniversary Songs

Rosemary Clooney, 1928–2002

Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Washington, et al., Blues Voice II

Leonard Cohen, Absolutely Bass Voice

Nat King Cole, The King of Sound: The One and Only

Nat King Cole, Love Songs

Nat King Cole, Diana Krall, Jacintha, et al., Blues Voice

Ella Fitzgerald, Jazz Love

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Speak Love

Tennessee Ernie Ford

Tennessee Ernie Ford, Best of the Best

Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gold

Laura Fygi, Let There Be Love

His Master’s Voice, Audiophile Reference Voice Record

His Master’s Voice, Classics

Crystal Gayle, Commemorative Edition 2009

Crystal Gayle, Pure Heart

In Paris, Best Audiophile Voices

Salena Jones, A Song For You

Anne Murray, Smile

Willie Nelson, Greatest Hits

David Oistrakh, The Golden Violin

Itzhak Perlman and His Cinema Serenade

Itzhak Perlman, Sarasate Zigeunerweisen

Ruggiero Ricci, A Violin’s Life

Kenny Rogers Forever

The Most Classic of Kenny Rogers

Janos Starker, Cello Essentials

Janos Starker, Cello Fury

Steinway and Sons, The Power of Piano

Steinway and Sons, Vladimir Horowitz

Sam Taylor, Saxophone & Taylor

Taiko, The Drums of Japan

Western Electric Sound, 300B Vacuum Tube Sound

Western Electric Sound, Big Movie

Western Electric Sound, Big Time

The Andy Williams Album

Don Williams, Platinum Edition

Don Williams, The Thirtieth Anniversary

 

Analog Mastering Services (Jazz/Rock/Classical), analogmaster.net

Analog Mastering Services is the exclusive reseller of Italian recording company Velut Luna’s analog mastertapes—a collection of various musical genres and styles recorded to audiophile standards. Price: Consult AMS.

 

Rosella Caporale, ’E Teretuppete

Paola Casula, Nuvole Di Carta

Four Fried Fish & Flyin’ Horns, Love Can Change Everything

Fabiana Martone, Big Band Bond

Massimo Salvagnini Quartet, Giant Moon

Massimo Salvagnini Quartet, Mancini Dry

Royal Big Band Vol.1

Marco Tezza & The Stravinskij Chamber Orchestra, Le Otto Stagioni

 

Analogue Productions (Jazz/Pop), acousticsounds.com

With access to some of the finest recordings ever made, the King of Analog, Chad Kassem, is now reissuing celebrated recordings on 15ips reel-to-reel tape. Keep ’em coming, I say. Price: $450 per tape.

 

David Abel/Julie Steinberg, Beethoven Violin Sonata

Alexander Gibson, Witches’ Brew

Lowell Graham, Winds of War and Peace

Jascha Heifetz, Sibelius Violin Concerto in D

Janis Ian, Breaking Silence

Donald Johanos, Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances

Norah Jones, Come Away With Me

Rickie Lee Jones, It’s Like This

Rene Leibowitz, The Power of the Orchestra

Hugh Masekela, Hope

Charles Munch, Ravel Daphnis and Chloe

Charles Munch, Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3

Oliver Nelson, Blues and the Abstract Truth

Art Pepper, New York Album

Oscar Peterson, We Get Requests

Rebecca Pidgeon, The Raven

Fritz Reiner, Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

Fritz Reiner, Prokofiev Lt. Kije

Fritz Reiner, Respighi Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome

Fritz Reiner, Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade

Reiner/Heifetz, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Leopold Stokowski, Rhapsodies

Muddy Waters, Folk Singer

Ben Webster, Gentle Ben

Sonny Boy Williamson, Keep It to Ourselves

 

Analogy Records (Jazz/Rock/Classical/Other), analogyrecords.org

Italian record producer/sound engineer Roberto Vigo’s Analogy Records claims to be the world’s first record label to distribute original mastertapes. Instead of producing copies from pre-existing masters, for each order Analogy Records produces an original master directly from the multi-track recording system, thus removing an additional production step. Price: €165 per 2-track, 15ips, CCIR or NAB tape.

 

Aurelio Canonici, Between Earth and Heaven

Andrea Celeste, Kaleidoscope

Andrea Celeste, Something Amazing

Andrea Celeste Quartet, Christmas Wonderland

Andrea Celeste Quartet, Unconventional Standards, vol.1

Andrea Celeste Quartet, Unconventional Standards, vol.2

Max De Aloe, Borderline

Ensemble Palamento, The London Manuscript

Peter Erskine European Trio, Live in Genova Vol.1

Peter Erskine European Trio, Live in Genova Vol.2

Peter Erskine European Trio, Live in Genova Vol.3

Gnu Quartet, Paganini: The Rock Album

Italian Cello Consort, Vivaldi Cello Sonatas vol.1

Italian Cello Consort, Vivaldi Cello Sonatas vol.2

Liguriani, Stundai

Moroni, Gomez, La Barbera, Kind of Bill Vol.1

Moroni, Gomez, La Barbera, Kind of Bill Vol.2

Elias Nardi Group, Flowers Of Fragility

Norchestra & GNU Quartet, Suite for the Seagulls

NP Big Band, The Sunny Side Of The Swing, vol.1

NP Big Band, The Sunny Side Of The Swing, vol.2

Big Pete Pearson, Born In An Apple Box

Alessio Pisani, The Bogeyman

Red Wine, Pickin’ Friends vol.1

Red Wine, Pickin’ Friends vol.2

Themtrio, More of Les

 

 

Chasing The Dragon (Jazz/Pop/Classical), elusivedisc.com, acousticsounds.com

This state-of-the-art English recording company uses vintage tube microphones and Decca-tree recording techniques to produce some of the best-sounding D2D LPs currently on the market. Chasing The Dragon is now also releasing a limited number of 15ips tapes, recorded via the same classic gear and copied direct to tape, without the lossy processing of even D2D LPs. Price: $499–$689, depending on the number of 2-track, 15ips tapes.

 

Chasing The Dragon II Audiophile Recordings

Quentin Collins All Star Quintet, A Day In The Life

España: A Tribute To Spain

Interpreti Veneziani, Vivaldi in Venice

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra Big Band Spectacular

John Lenehan, Beethoven Piano Sonatas

The Locrian Ensemble of London, Baroque Music

The Locrian Ensemble of London, Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5

The Locrian Ensemble of London, Beethoven Symphony No. 5

Eleanor McEvoy, Forgotten Dreams

Mozart By Candlelight

Pure Reference

Clare Teal, A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

The Temple Church Concert

Vivaldi, The Four Seasons

 

Delmark (Blues), elusivedisc.com, acousticsounds.com

Delmark Records claims to be the oldest continuously operating jazz and blues independent record label in the United States. Although it hasn’t begun to tap its riches yet, when it does so, the result will be a bonanza for tape-loving blues mavens. Price: $399 for each 2-track, ¼”, 15ips tape.

 

Jimmy Forrest, All The Gin Is Gone

Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues

 

Fonè (Classical/Jazz/Other), elusivedisc.com, acousticsounds.com

For almost thirty years, Fonè has been using advanced techniques to re-create the atmosphere of the original performance. Recordings are executed with the utmost simplicity, using the same valve-type paired microphones (U47, M48, and M49) used to record the Beatles at the Abbey Road Studio and the “Living Stereo” recordings at various venues for RCA. Price: $424–$499 per ¼”, 2-track, 15ips tape.

 

Salvatore Accardo, J.S. Bach Per Violino Solo (5 tapes)

Salvatore Accardo, The Best Of Violin

Salvatore Accardo, Beethoven Concerto For Violin

Salvatore Accardo, Beethoven Sonata Op. 47 and Op. 24 (2 tapes)

Salvatore Accardo, Debussy/Ravel Music For Violin & Piano (3 tapes)

Salvatore Accardo, Omaggio A Heifetz

Salvatore Accardo, Paganini

Salvatore Accardo, Piazzola Grand Tango

Salvatore Accardo, Piazzola Oblivion

Salvatore Accardo, Sarasate Dances for Violin and Piano

Salvatore Accardo, et al., W.A. Mozart Concertos KV 207, 211, 218 (3 tapes)

Salvatore Accardo, et al., W.A. Mozart String Quintets (3 tapes)

Salvatore Accardo Quartet, Schubert Quartett G-Dur and C-Moll (3 tapes)

Arlia, et al., Piazzolla Duettango (2 tapes)

Edoardo Bellotti, J.S. Bach Organi Della Nuova Olanda (2 tapes)

Bianchini, et al., Andar Live (2 tapes)

Bianchini, et al., Dos

Bianchini, et al., Dos—In Sight

Birro, et al., Castello Nights

Sekou Bunch, et al., Sekou

Callegari, et al., Pergolesi Stabat Mater (2 tapes)

Carnovale, et al., I Remember You

Andrea Castelfranato, Anxanum (2 tapes)

Andrea Castelfranato, Duende Live (2 tapes)

Myung-Whun Chung, Omaggio A Roma (2 tapes)

Rocco Filippini, 6 Suites Per Violoncello Solo (5 tapes)

Filippini, Campanella, Chopin (1810/1849)

Fonè Classic Analog Tape Sampler

Fonè Classic Analog Tape Sampler: Esoteric Audiophile Trip

Fonè Classic Analog Tape Sampler 30^th Anniversary

Fonè Ensemble, Icone in Musica (3 tapes)

La Fonosofia Del Signoricci

Garano, et al., Ansahman

Giacomo Franci, I. Stravinsky The Complete Published Piano Works (5 tapes)

Gran Galà (2 tapes)

Scott Hamilton, Ballads for Audiophiles (2 tapes)

Hamilton, et al., Bean And The Boys

Scott Hamilton & Friends

Hamilton, et al., Live At Museo Piaggio (3 tapes)

Hamilton, et al., Pure Imagination

Mesolella Canta Stefano Benni

Munyungo Jackson, Munyungo

Jazz Recordings Fonè Anniversary

Karen Knowles, et al., Moonglow

Kate McGarry, Easy To Love

I Musici, Confluencia

Non Solo Tango Live

Noseda, Mahler Symphony No. 2 (4 tapes)

Noseda, Mahler Symphony No. 9 (3 tapes)

Noseda, Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade

Henry Mancini, The Pink Panther & Friends

David Manley Jazz Recordings: More Best of the Best

John Mazzariello, Easytude Live (2 tapes)

Fausto Mesolella, Live Ad Alcatraz

Fausto Mesolella, Madama Terra

Fausto Mesolella, Taxidi

Raiz & Mesolella, Dagored

Enzo Pietropaoli, Solo

Rava, Fresu, et al., Shades of Chet

Charles Rosen, W.A. Mozart Piano Music (3 tapes)

Various, Original Analog Master Tape: Classic

Various, Original Analog Master Tape: Jazz

Riccardo Zegna & Giampaolo Dasati   Duo, Paris Blues

 

Groove Note (Jazz/Classical/Pop), elusivedisc.com, acousticsounds.com

Created by Ying Tan, one of the original founding members of Classic Records, Groove Note features some of the finest artists in jazz, blues, vocals, and classical music, including Jacintha, Anthony Wilson, Vanessa Fernandez, et al. Price: $599 per 15ips tape.

 

Eden Atwood, Waves

Vanessa Fernandez, Use Me

Vanessa Fernandez, When The Levee Breaks

Roy Gaines, I Got The T-Bone Walker Blues

Jacintha, Autumn Leaves

Jacintha, Here’s To Ben

Jacintha, Jacintha Is Her Name

Jacintha, Lush Life

Bennie Wallace, Moodsville

The Anthony Wilson Trio, Jack of Hearts

The Anthony Wilson Trio, Our Gang

 

Hemiola Records (Classical/Jazz/Pop), hemiolarecords.com

Relying on over thirty years of experience as a mastering and sound engineer, Hemiola’s Pietro Benini produces and distributes music on LP and magnetic tapes at the highest artistic and technical level. Price: €278–€393 per tape.

 

Essential Team, Ricomincio Da 10

Javier Girotto, Pasos

Angelo Lazzeri Trio, Far Out

Live Concert Luciano Pavarotti Reel Two

Live Concert Luciano Pavarotti Reel One + Reel Two

Daniele Mencarelli Duo, Core Tales

Daniele Mencarelli meets Hemiola, Originals

Daniele Mencarelli meets Hemiola, Standards

Gabriele Mirabassi, Roberto Taufic, Ao Amigo Guinga

Gabriele Mirabassi, Roberto Taufic, Correnteza (reel 1)

Gabriele Mirabassi, Roberto Taufic, Correnteza (reel 2)

Davide Pannozzo Trio, A Portrait of Jimi (reel 1)

Davide Pannozzo Trio, A Portrait of Jimi (reel 2)

 

Horch House (Jazz/Classical/Blues), analogarts.net

Horch House was created for the sole purpose of bringing the magic of analog mastertapes to audiophiles and music lovers worldwide. Long negotiations with music publishers were followed by painstaking research into the absolute optimum equipment to capture that magic. Price: €398 2 RTM SM468 Tapes on 10.5″ metal reels, 38cm/15IPS, CCIR, ¼“, 2-track, 510nWb.

 

Monty Alexander, Live at the Montreux Festival

Martha Argerich, Chopin The Legendary 1965 Recording

Barbirolli/Du Pré, Elgar Cello Concerto

Count Basie Orchestra, High Voltage

Leonard Bernstein, Rhapsody in Blue

George Duke, The Aura Will Prevail

George Duke Faces In Reflection

George Duke Feel

George Duke The Inner Source

George Duke Liberated Fantasies

George Duke I Love The Blues

George Duke Souls

Ella Fitzgerald, Sunshine of Your Love

Dexter Gordon, A Day in Copenhagen

Giulini/Perlman, Brahms Violin Concerto

Glenn Gould, Bach Italian Concerto

Joanne Grauer, Introducing Lorraine Feather

Friedrich Gulda, Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Vol.1

Friedrich Gulda, Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Vol.2

Friedrich Gulda, Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Vol.3

Friedrich Gulda, Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Vol.4

Friedrich Gulda, Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Vol.5

Heifetz/Munch, Beethoven Violin Concerto

Joe Henderson, Mirror, Mirror

Freddie Hubbard, The Hub of Hubbard

Herbert Kegel, Orff Carmina Burana

Volker Kriegel, Spectrum

Kurt Masur, Beethoven Missa Solemnis

Mark Murphy, Midnight Mood

Joe Pass, Intercontinental

Oscar Peterson, Action

Oscar Peterson, Girl Talk

Oscar Peterson, Mellow Mood

Oscar Peterson, Motions & Emotions

Oscar Peterson, My Favorite Instrument

Oscar Peterson, Travelin’ On

Oscar Peterson, Walking The Line

Oscar Peterson, The Way I Really Play

Baden Powell, Images on Guitar

Prêtre/Callas, Gobbi, Tosca

André Previn, Rachmaninov 2^nd Symphony

Hermann Prey, Famous Arias from Mozart Operas

Fritz Reiner, The Reiner Sound

Arthur Rubinstein, Chopin Nocturnes

Kurt Sanderling, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Otmar Suitner, Mahler Symphony No.1

John Taylor Trio, Decipher

Hans Theessink, Baby Wants To Boogie

Hans Theessink & Terry Evans, Delta Time

Hans Theessink & Terry Evans, Visions

Art Van Damme, Ecstasy

 

International Phonograph (Jazz), internationalphonographinc.com

The owner of IP, Jonathan Horwich, has been recording, producing, and mastering jazz on analog tape for decades. Horwich’s best tapes leave you with the uncanny feeling that you just wandered into a small Chicago jazz club for a half-hour’s entertainment. Price: $150–$250 per 30-minute tape.

 

Jazz Sampler #1

Jazz Sampler #2

Greg Ward Vibes Quartet, November 2020—Chicago, Illinois

Joe Policastro Guitar Trio, August 2020—Chicago, Illinois

Paul Bedal Solo Piano, July 2020—Chicago, Illinois

Joe Policastro Jeru, March 2020—Chicago, Illinois

Neal Alger Brazilian Quartet, December 2019—Chicago

Greg Ward Organ Quartet, September 2019—Chicago

Reggie Thomas Trio, March 2019—Chicago, Illinois

Davy Knowles, Still Got Work To Do, February 2019—Chicago, Illinois

Bill Carrothers, Christmas Music, September 2018—Chicago, Illinois

Bill Carrothers, Yellow Rose, September 2018—Chicago, Illinois

George Fludas, Organ Quartet, August 2018—Chicago, Illinois

John Wojciechowski Quartet, January 2018—Chicago, Illinois

Matt Ulery, Trio, September 2017—Chicago, Illinois

Patrick Godon: Selections, July 2017—Chicago, Illinois

Winston Choi, Schubert Impromptus 1–4, Opus 90, July 2017—Chicago, Illinois

Winston Choi, Schubert Impromptus 1–3, Opus 142, July 2017—Chicago, Illinois

Greg Ward Trio, At Pro Musica, May 2017—Chicago, Illinois

The Fat Babies, Thumpin’ and Bumpin’, April 2017—Chicago Illinois

Makaya McCraven Quartet, March 2016—Chicago Illinois

Howard Levy, Chicago Meeting, March 2015—Chicago, Illinois

Dee Alexander, Magic, September 2014—Chicago, Illinois

Mark Colby, Quartet, August 2014—Chicago, Illinois

Bobby Broom Trio, Sweet and Lovely, March 2014—Chicago, Illinois

Christian Jacob, Beautiful Jazz, November 2013—Los Angeles, California

Mike Garson, Monk Fell On Me (Volume One), June 2013—Chicago, Illinois

Mike Garson, Monk Fell On Me (Volume Two), June 2013—Chicago, Illinois

Jason Roebke Quartet, Shimmering, December 2012—Chicago, Illinois

Jeremy Kahn Duets, November 2012—Chicago, Illinois

Josh Berman Trio, Chicago Retro, July 2012—Chicago, Illinois

Clifford Jordan Quartet, October 1987—Baltimore, Maryland

Per Henrik Wallin, 4th Balcony Jump, May 1983—Luna, Sweden

Albert Dailey/Stan Getz, January 1983—Irvington, New York

Richie Beirach, Rendevous, January 1981—Tampa, Florida

Tom Harrell Quartet, October 1980—New Haven, Connecticut

Dave Samuels Vibes Trio, September 1980—New Haven, Connecticut

Mike Richmond Quintet, September 1980—New Haven, Connecticut

Ravi Shankar, In Luxembourg, July 1980—Echternach, Luxembourg

Mark Zeltser, In Luxembourg, July 1980—Echternach, Luxembourg

Benny Goodman, Mozart Clarinet Concerto, 1980—Echternach Luxembourg

Oboe and Orchestra, June 1980—Echternach, Luxembourg

Stan Getz Quintet, January 1980—New Haven, Connecticut

Dave Samuels, Solo Vibraphone, August 1979—Tampa, Florida

Lee Konitz/Martial Solal, The Portland Sessions, February 1979—Portland, Oregon

Mario Feninger, Solo, February 1979—Sheridan, Oregon

Clare Fischer, Jazz Song, May 1973—Studio City, California

Clare Fischer, The State Of His Art, May 1973—Studio City, California

Ronnie Hoopes, Respect For A Great Tradition, May 1973—Pasadena, California

Warne Marsh, At The Ice House, August 1971—Pasadena California

Frank Strazzeri, That’s Him, March 1969—Los Angeles, California

Carmell Jones/Joe Pass, Chillin’, January 1964—Los Angeles, California

Dennis Budimir, A Second Coming, 1961/63—Los Angeles, CA

Ira Sullivan, Blue Stroll, 26 July 1959—Chicago Illinois

 

Master Tape Sound Lab (Jazz/Rock/Classical/Other), mastertapesoundlab.com

Todor Dimitrov, head of MTLS, managed to persuade Kostas Metaxas (who recently built two of the first all-new tape decks in 20 years) to make some of his many R2R tapes available to a wider audience—which is how the MTSL catalog came to be. Price: Consult MTSL.

 

Anita Hustas Trio, BMW Edge, Melbourne 2005

Andrea Keller Jazz Ensemble, BMW Edge, 2005 Tapes 1&2

Aaron Choulai Trio at Bennetts Lane, Melbourne 2005, Tapes 1&2

Aaron Choulai Trio at BMW Edge, 2005, Melbourne, Tapes 1&2

Allan Browne Jazz Trio at BMW Edge, Melbourne, 2005, Tapes 1&2

Adam Simmons Jazz Quartet at BMW Edge, Melbourne, Tapes 1&2

Adam Simmons & Tony Overwater [Holland], BMW Edge, Melbourne, Tape 1

DiSario Hopkins Gander Jazz Trio, Paper Hat, at BMW Edge, Melbourne Tape 1

Aaron Searle Jazz Quintet, BMW Edge, Melbourne, 2005, Tape 1

Jenny Game Lopata Quintet, BMW Edge, Melbourne 2005, Tapes 1&2

Leigh Barker Quintet, BMW Edge, Melbourne Tape 1 [2005]

Darrin Archer Jazz Trio [+ Female Vocalist Alison Wedding on 2 tracks], at BMW Edge, Melbourne, 2006, Tape 1&2

Diane Peters Ensemble at 45 Downstairs, Melbourne 2005, Tape 1&2 (Jazz Harp)

Peter Knight Quintet [18min] & Leigh Barker Quintet [15min], live at BMW Edge, Melbourne, Contemporary Jazz —2005

Jamie Oehlers (sax) & Sam Keevers (piano) [+ Bonus tracks from Martin Breeze], BMW Edge, Melbourne

Pascal Schumacher [Belgium], Ormond Hall, Melbourne, 2004 Tapes 1& 2

Fritz Hauser, Swiss Drum Legend at BMW Edge, Melbourne, Tapes 1 & 2

Anne Norman Trio/Koto, Shakuhachi & Drums Ensemble, Monash, Melbourne 2005 Tapes 1–3

Mike Nock Trio, at BMW Edge, Melbourne, Oct. 2005, Tapes 1 & 2

Mike Nock Trio, Jazz Legend, Melba Hall, Melbourne Sept 06 Tapes 1-2

Jex Saarelaht Trio, BMW Edge, Melbourne Tapes 1&2

 

OMAD Records (Pop/Jazz/Other), omadrecords.com

Based in New York City, this label was founded in 1995 by Academy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee John DeNicola. Price: $350 per ¼”, 2-track, 15ips tape.

 

John DeNicola, The Why Because

Arwen Lewis, Arwen

Peter Lewis, The Road To Zion

The Sighs, Wait On Another Day

 

Open Reel Records (Jazz/Rock/Classical/Other), openreelrecords.com

Marco Taio, the Director of Italy’s Open Reel Records, says: “I’m a musician, a sound engineer, an audiophile. I’ve always loved music, sound purity, and the beauty of Italian art. I wanted for you the tapes I’ve always wanted for me.” Price: €380 per one reel, ¼”, 15ips, CCIR, 320nWb tape.

 

Ancerl, Meylan, Prokofiev Cinderella

Arrigo Cappelletti, Reinventing Thelonius

Enrico Dindo, Haydn Concerto

Enrico Dindo, Piazzolla Seasons

Enrico Dindo, Vivaldi Concertos

Federico Ferri, Christmas Concert

Jean Fournet, Debussy Nocturnes

Jean Fournet, Debussy La Mer

Jimmy Gourley and the Paris Heavyweights

Al Jarreau, 1965

Eduard Kunz, Beethoven Sonatas

Mingardo, Frigato, Ferri, Pergolesi Stabat Mater

Thelonious Monk, Live In Milan

Erica Opizzi, Wildwood Flowers

Marco Rogliano, Violino Solo—Baroque

Suk, Navarra, Ancerl, Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello

Carlo Zecchi, Berlioz Sinfonia Fantastica

 

Opus 3 (Jazz/Rock/Classical/Other), elusivedisc.com

Opus3 is an independent Swedish record company dedicated to recording acoustic music as naturally and accurately as possible. Price: $299–$499.

 

Analogue Jazz Recordings

Analogue Blues Recordings

Analogue Recordings

Analogue Recordings Vol. II

Analogue Recordings Vol. III

Analogue Recordings Vol. IV

Analogue Recordings Vol. V

Analogue Recordings Vol. VI

Kenneth Arnstrom, Rhythm King

Bob Barnard, Cornet Chop Suey

Eric Bibb, Just Like Love

Eric Bibb, Rainbow People

Eric Bibb & Needed Time, Good Stuff

Eric Bibb & Needed Time, Spirit & The Blues

Cirrus, Lands End

Johan Dielemans Trio, Round’ Midnight

Duodecima, Music for two Guitars

Lars Erstrand, Lars Erstrand and Four Brothers

Lars Erstrand, Sessions

Lars Erstrand, Two Sides of Lars Erstrand

Lars Erstrand Quartet, Dream Dancing

Erstrand-Lind Quartet, A Tribute to Benny Goodman

Kjell Fagéus, Clarinet Concertos

Kjell Fagéus, Lonely Souls

Kjell Fagéus, Zetterqvist String Quartet, Mozart & Brahms

Thorvald Fredin, Concertos for Double Bass & Orchestra

Soren Hermansson & Per-Ove Larsson, Horn & Organ Recital

Manola Iglesias, Destino Flamenco

Thérèse Juel, Levande

Kustbandet Live In Stockholm

KNOA, A Selection of KNOA

The Knud Jorgensen Jazz Trio, Teach Me Tonight

A Selection from Tomas Ornberg, G. Lidberg, et al.

Stephen Lindgren, Andersson, et al.

Stephen Lindgren, Chopin, Liszt, etc.

Joakim Milder, Consensus

Kjell Ohman, The Hammond Connection

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble, Opera Pearls

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble, Music by Frank Zappa

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble, Viriditas per Omnibus

Tomas Ornberg’s Blue Five

Tomas Ornberg’s Blue Five, Nobody’s Blues But Mine

Peder Riis, Classical Guitar

Gosta Rundqvist Trio, Treecircle

Stockholm Arts Trio, Schubert Piano Trio

The Stockholm Guitar Quartet, Bach, Telemann

The Stockholm Guitar Quartet, Mendelssohn, Brahms, et al.

The Stockholm Guitar Quartet, Transcriptions

The Stockholm Guitar Trio, Albeniz, Granados, et al.

The Stockholm Sinfonietta Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

The Swedish Jazz Kings Featuring Kenny Davern, Come Love

The Swedish Jazz Kings Featuring Roy Williams, It’s Right Here For You

Eva Taylor, The Legendary Eva Taylor Live At the Pawnshop

Tiny Island, Tiny Island

Mattias Wager & Anders Astrand, Live At Vatnajokull: Improvisations

Benny Waters, Live At the Pawnshop

The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble, Musica Sacra

Yamina, How Deep Is the Ocean

The Zetterqvist String Quartet, Stenhammar, Sandstrom, Edlund

 

Premonition Records (Jazz/Pop), elusivedisc.com

Following a 15-year career, drummer Michael Friedman hung up his sticks and launched Premonition Records. With recording and production quality a priority, Premonition has earned a reputation for the sound quality of its releases. Price: $599 (two reels).

 

Patricia Barber, Cafe Blue

Patricia Barber, Companion

Patricia Barber, Modern Cool

Patricia Barber,  Nightclub

Patricia Barber, Selections From Verse

The Dave Douglas Quintet, Be Still

Von Freeman, The Great Divide

 

Quinton Records (Jazz /Classical), quintonrecords.com

Quinton Records is an audiophile record label headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Price: Contact Quinton Records.

 

Renato Borghetti, Gaúchos

Adrian Eröd, Ich und Du

Sabina Hank, Blue Moments

Sabina Hank, Music In A Mirror

Juan Garcia-Herreros, Snow Owl

Kyoto Plays Mau Pin

Linka, Scofield, Abercrombie, Lucky Southern

Melo X, Do

Muthspiel, et al. Real Book Stories

Nouvelle Cuisine Big Band, Mozart Revisited

Wolfgang Puschnig, Chants

Puschnig-Sharrock, Late Night Show, Part 1

Puschnig-Sharrock, Late Night Show, Part 2

Puschnig, Swallow, et al. Grey

Linda Sharrock, Confessions

Shilkloper, Correa, et al. Mauve

 

Reel To Reel Tapes Russia (Classical/Rock), reel-to-reel-tapes-russia.com

The new Russian label “Reel to Reel Tapes Russia” is dedicated to the production of musical content on tape. Price: ca. $517 per 15ips 2-track tape.

 

Rudolf Barshai, Mozart Symphony No. 25

Brent Hutchinson, Live in Moscow

Leonid Kogan, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

Kirill Kondrashin, Kalinnikov Symphony No. 1

William James Mead & Friends, Live in Moscow

Giles Robson & Friends, Live in Moscow

Rusquartet, Beethoven String Quartet No. 9

Evgeny Svetlanov, Rachmaninoff Isle of the Dead

Evgeny Svetlanov, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2

Evgeny Svetlanov, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 3

 

Smart Audio Recording Lab (Classical/Pop/Jazz), smartaudiorecording.com

Smart Audio Recording Lab is a professional recording studio, located in Kirov City, Russia. Price: ca. $380 per 15ips CCIR or NAB tape.

 

Sviatoslav Belonogov, Corde dell’Anima

Sviatoslav Belonogov, Encores d’Amour

Sviatoslav Belonogov, Parthia Amabilis

Sviatoslav Belonogov, Partita

Andre Bernovski, Preludio Saudade (Tape 1)

Andre Bernovski, Preludio Saudade (Tape 2)

John Davis Trio, Jazz Unites Continents

Kristina Kovalyova, I Wish You Love

Kristina Kovalyova, My Favourite Things

Dmitry Lukyanov, Waltz for Sophie

Rommitz & The Ol’ Time Shakers, Romantic Fools

Michel Weber & Bernard Schwenter, My Ideal

 

Lyn Stanley (Jazz/Pop), lynnstanley.com, elusivedisc.com

Audiophile fave Lyn Stanley is now releasing mastertape copies of her celebrated analog albums. Price: $624–$699.

 

Lyn Stanley, Interludes

Lyn Stanley, Live At Studio A

Lyn Stanley, London Calling

Lyn Stanley, London With A Twist

Lyn Stanley, Lost In Romance

Lyn Stanley, The Moonlight Sessions Vol. One

Lyn Stanley, The Moonlight Sessions Vol. Two

Lyn Stanley, Potions From The 50’s

 

STS-digitalshop (Jazz/Classical/Rock) sts-digitalshop.nl/reel-to-reel, elusivedisc.com

A Dutch recording/mastering house with a foot in each medium—digital and analog. Price: Contact STS.

 

All Times Big Band, The Crimson Investigation

Arion Ensemble, Handel Water Music

L’Imprevu Saxophone Quartet

The Tim Kliphuis Quintet, Gipsy Music

Lils Mackintosh Live: The Music From Billie Holiday

Ben Van Den Dungen, Tango Extremo

 

The Tape Project (Jazz/Rock/Classical/Other), tapeproject.com

The folks that started the reel-to-reel revival continue to offer wonderful titles in superior transfers. Since I’ve heard many Project tapes, this is a label I can and do recommend for sonics. Price: $450 per two-tape set.

 

Nat Adderley, Work Song

Mose Allison, Creek Bank

Dave Alvin, Blackjack David

Malcolm Arnold, Arnold Overtures

The Band, Stage Fright

Clifford Brown, Memorial Album

Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane

Keith Clark, Respighi Church Windows

Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays

Robert Cray, False Accusations

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willy and the Poor Boys

Kurt Elling, Flirting with Twilight

Bill Evans, Waltz for Debby

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

Little Hatch, Rock With Me Baby

John Lee Hooker & Canned Heat, Hooker ’N’ Heat

Eugene Istomin, Mozart Piano Concertos

Thelonious Monk, Brilliant Corners

Lee Morgan, The Sidewinder

Jacqui Naylor, The Number White

Nojima Plays Liszt

Oliver Nelson Orchestra, Afro/American Sketches

Eiji Oue, Exotic Dances from the Opera

David Oistrakh, Bruch Scottish Fantasia

Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus

Linda Ronstadt, Heart Like A Wheel

Jimmy Smith, The Sermon

The Staple Singers, Respect Yourself

Doc & Merle Watson, Never The Same Way Once

 

Tone-Pearls Records (Classical), tonepearls.com

France’s Tone-Pearls is a non-profit atelier of music researchers and music lovers devoted to recreating the original experience of live concerts. Price: €159–€199, Master SM468, pancake or NAB reel, 15ips CCIR, ¼”, 2-track tape.

 

Endre Hegedus, Chopin and Debussy Piano Music in a Church

Anne Sophie Petit/Marcell Vigh, Bartók, Dohnányi, Ligeti Hungarian Songs in a Chateau

Marcell Vigh, Bartók, Mozart, Schubert Piano Music in a Chateau

 

TRJ Records (Classical, Pop, Jazz), trjrecords.it

Since 2012, Italy’s TRJ Records has been releasing some of its titles on reel-to-reel tape. Price: Contact TRJ Records.

 

Demo Tape 2015

Beppe Di Benedetto, Another Point of View

Beppe Di Benedetto, See The Sky

Lino Franceschetti, In Concert

Stefano Gueresi, I Giorni Impossibili

Stefano Gueresi, Il Destino Dei Sogni

Gypsy Soul Trio, Close To You

Elisa Marangon, Elisa Nel Paese Delle Meraviglie

Racing Jazz Quintet, Never Lie

Mauro Sereno, My Jazz Vol. 2

 

UltraAnalogue Recordings (Classical), ultraanaloguerecordings.com

For better than a decade, Canada’s Ed Pong has been recording superb young chamber musicians with tube electronics on R2R tape. Price: $295–$795 (3-tape set).

 

24 Paganini Caprices (Live In Concert Nov. 26, 2016) Tape 1 Act 1, Caprices 1–6

24 Paganini Caprices (Live In Concert Nov.26, 2016) Tape 2 Act 2, Caprices 7–12

Albeniz Asturias, Shchedrin Imitating Albeniz, Tchaikovsky Nocturne & Pezzo Capriccioso & Sollima Lamentatio (Live)

Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major BWV 1007

Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major BWV 1007, Cassado Suite For Solo Cello

Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor BWV 1008

Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor BWV 1008, Beethoven 7 Variations On Bei Mannern

Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major BWV 1009

Bach Cello Suite No. 4 in E Flat Major BWV 1010

Bach Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011

Bach Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major BWV 1012

Bach Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major BWV 1012, Vaughan Williams Greensleeves

Bach, Mayuzumi, Piazzolla, Popper

Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 2

Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69

Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major Op.102, Chopin Mazurkas Op.24 No. 1–4

Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 5, Op.102 & Piano Trio No. 6, Op.97 (Archduke)

Beethoven Piano Trio Op.70 No. 1 (Ghost), Beethoven Piano Trio Op.70 No.2 Allegretto

Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 1 & Brahms Hungarian Dances Nos.1 & 2

Beethoven Violin Sonata No.3 & Sarasate Zigeunerweisen (Live In Concert)

Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 5 (Spring) & Brahms Hungarian Dances Nos. 5 & 6

Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 7

Beethoven Violin Sonata Nos. 8 & 2, Encore Pieces, Sarasate Zapateado, Massenet Meditation (Live In Concert)

Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 9, “Kreutzer,” Kroll Banjo & Fiddle, Ponce Estralita, Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Brahms Cello Sonata No. 1 in E-Minor No.1 Op.38

Brahms Cello Sonata No. 2 (Live)

Chopin Andante Spinato Grand Polonaise Brilliante & Saint Saëns – Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso & Sarasate Introduction & Tarantella

Chopin Ballade No. 1 and Liszt Venezia E Napoli

The Genius Of Beethoven—Romance No. 2, Violin Sonata No. 5 (Spring)

The Genius Of Mozart —Adagio K.261, Rondo K.373, Piano Sonata K.330

Handel Passacaglia, Chausson Poeme, Meditation

Mendelssohn Cello Sonata No. 2, Chopin Nocturne

Mozart Duo in G, Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia, Debussy Claire de Lune

Mozart Piano Sonata K.331

Paganini Caprices No. 1–8 (Studio)

Paganini Caprices No. 9–18 (Studio)

Paganini Caprices No. 19–24 (Studio), Sarasate Habanera

Paganini Moses Variations, Schumann Fantasiestucke, Davidov, Joplin

Rachmaninov Cello Sonata in G Minor Op.19, Chopin Etude No. 7, Op.25, Rachmaninov Romance Op.21, No.11, Bruch Kol Nidrei Op.47

Rossini Duo In D Major For Cello & Double Bass, Gliere Four Pieces

Sampler No.1

Schubert Grand Fantasy D.934, Saint-Saëns The Swan

Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar Salut D’Amour (Live)

Tatsuki Narita, Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre, Sarasate Zigeunerweisen, Bloch Nigun, Sarasate Introduction & Tarantella, Meditation

Verdi/Liszt, Wagner/Liszt Operatic Transcriptions, Bach/Busoni Chaconne

 

Yarlung Records (Jazz /Classical/Other), yarlungrecords.com

Tapes from Grammy Award-winner Bob Attiyeh and friends. Prices: $230–$600.

 

Ciaramella Dances: On Movable Ground

Sasha Cooke, If You Love For Beauty Vol. 1

Sasha Cooke, If You Love For Beauty Vol. 2

Elinor Frey & David Fung, Dialoghi

Robert Gupta, Suryodaya

Robert Istad, Nostos

Petteri Iivonen, Franck Art of the Sonata

Petteri Iivonen, Ysaÿe Art of the Sonata

Janaki String Trio, Debut

Jung-A Lee, A Private Organ Recital in Walt Disney Concert Hall

Antonio Lysy at the Broad,

Antonio Lysy, Te Amo Argentina

Frédéric Rosselet, Bach Cello Suite No. 3

Gerard Schwarz, Mahler Symphony No. 5

Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble, Debut

Smoke & Mirrors Percussion Ensemble, Vanish