UAE | Forever vinyl: Will LPs stay in the UAE? Digital music may be swallowed by the masses, but traditional formats continue to resonate with audiophiles of all ages. Dubai-based expats Anil Sukhia and Reyshiel Pastrana belong to very different generations, but are connected by a shared passion for vinyl collecting. One is a banker in his 60s and the other is a video editor in his 20s. Both were growing music lovers who fell in love with “long-running” records, or LPs for the layman. The Retail Tracker report provides positive insight into global record sales, a clear indication that musical masterpieces like Michael Jackson’s thriller or Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon have made a strong comeback in their original headshots. As a result, the ubiquitous record player has reappeared in living rooms and music stores around the world, including in the UAE.
Vinyl can go green but records will cost more: A pioneer of environmentally friendly vinyl records says his new pressing machines are less dangerous to the planet than traditional ones – but they’ll likely lead to a price increase. The resurgence of vinyl in recent years followed the closure of many legacy pressing plants due to lack of business. That’s meant long lines for those who want their music to be available in the format. Even the world’s most famous acts are being told to wait up to a year for vinyl editions. The traditional method uses polyvinyl chloride, which the BBC says was identified in a new report as “the most environmentally damaging of plastics.” The updated version of this technology is constructed of polyethylene terephthalate, a less harmful and easily recyclable material.
Candid Records reissues classic 1961 albums: The New York City-based record label Candid Records has re-released a number of classic Black albums. Founded in 1960 by Archie Bleyer, Candid was on the cutting edge of releasing jazz and blues music from Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Lightnin’ Hopkins and more. The label’s catalog is extensive and, due to the resurgence of vinyl and interest in jazz, Candid has chosen to re-issue albums from their golden era which took place primarily in 1961 and 1962. Max Roach’s “We Insist!,” Max Roach – 1961: An avant-garde masterpiece, a vocal-instrumental suite, a work of collective improvisation, directly addressing the racial and political issues of its day, “We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” is one of the most important artistic statements of the Civil Rights Movement and one of the most groundbreaking jazz albums of all time…
John Williams’ E.T. score gets 40th anniversary vinyl release: Back in 1982, a lost little alien and an 8-year-old boy met on screen and became best friends. And the collective hearts of the world melted. When Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial hit theaters, a timeless classic was born, one we still love decades later. And a big part of that movie’s success was the incredible score by master composer John Williams. And now, the folks at Mondo are releasing a special 40th-anniversary edition of Williams’ iconic score for E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in a new vinyl edition. Much like his music for Star Wars and Indiana Jones, it’s hard to imagine the film without instantly thinking of Williams’ music. …It’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl in “Full Moon” and “Heartlight” colorways (also available on 180-gram black vinyl).
Best budget turntables 2022: Our pick of the best cheap record players: You don’t have to spend a fortune when it comes to buying a new turntable – and to help, we’ve picked out some of the best budget record players around. Despite the popularity of music streaming sites which dominate the way most of us consume music these days, vinyl sales are continuing to rise as more and more of us look at owning a physical product rather than staring at a digital file stored on phones, laptops or on the cloud. And with a the demand for vinyl steadily increasing, that means more music fans are looking to get their hands on record players – including the best budget turntables on the market. That makes sense as we’re all having to watch our outgoings a little bit more carefully at the moment, and with some turntables on the market costing a considerable amount, I’ve decided to turn my attention to picking out some of the best cheap record players around. These will not only save you a bundle, but they all sound fantastic and are all worth a closer look.
