Needle Time

  Van Morrison - Moondance (Steven Wilson Mix) [R1 536560 UK&EU 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] Steven Wilson has been one of the hardest working musicians over the past few decades, his new work remixing old classic albums is becoming widely recognised the world over, so much so that he can now pick & choose his work. Although he works in the digital domain (these new mixes have only previously been available on a blu-ray), he has shown great care and consideration in bringing old recordings back to life. Cut by Kevin Gray & Matthew Lutthans (a new name in quality mastering) at Cohearent Audio and pressed onto super quiet vinyl at Optimal Media in Germany (we knew they could do it), this three LP set is a treat for the ears. The remixed original album is covered on LP1, whilst a whole bunch of demos, alternative mixes and out-takes span the additional vinyl volumes. You need this. The Original Album Remixed by Steven Wilson A1 And It Stoned Me A2 Moondance A3 Cra...

  Van Morrison - Moondance [R1 1835 DEU 2015 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] Online high-quality vinyl influencers are currently reeling over the revelations that one of the biggest high end reissue vinyl labels may possibly have been misleading punters over the sources and the steps used in their 'Ultra Analogue' releases. I have a queue of rips from this label in the pipeline so will reserve further comment until then. In the meantime, here is an all analogue repress of one of the best selling & most acclaimed albums of all time, mastered by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at Acoustech Mastering and plated at RTI. This is the European pressing which is pressed from RTI metal work at Optimal Media in Germany, as part of Warner Bros 'Back To Vinyl' series. A1 Stoned Me A2 Moondance A3 Crazy Love A4 Caravan A5 Into The Mystic B1 Come Running B2 These Dreams Of You B3 Brand New Day B4 Everyone B5 Glad Tidings

  Van Morrison - Astral Weeks [K 46024 UK 1987 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] Originally released in 1968, it took many years for Warners to reissue Morrison's acclaimed second album Astral Weeks in the UK. Possibly, their A&R team needed to wait for Van's new found popularity on Mercury Records, with some help from The Chieftains and Cliff Richard. The new European pressings were mastered by Bernd Steinwedel and nicely pressed at Record Service in Alsdorf. I don't have Kevin Gray's more recent remaster for comparison purposes and many say that his newer version is the go-to-release, however this mid-eighties copy sounds great and German pressings from the eighties are better than those from Optimal, imho . In all essence, this is a psychedelic celtic folk album and this copy has all the rawness you would expect on a sixties original. I can hear the areas which Gray could improve with his magical all-analogue retouches, however perhaps those are all part of the charm of Ast...

  Van Morrison - Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart [MERL 16 UK 1983 24-Bit 176.4kHz FLAC] Some celtic soul to smooth away your Sunday. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart was Van Morrison's eighteenth solo album and his third for Mercury Records. Self-produced and plated by Arun Chakraverty for The Master Room, this album, although pressed onto incredibly thin vinyl is warm and lush as Belfast's king of soul wraps these ten unique compositions in a soft blanket production, which although subdued at times allows these rich arrangements to ooze from your speakers.  Irish Heartbeat is possibly Morrison's most covered song, including by himself on the album of the same name with The Chieftains, however it is this version which will always be my go to. River Of Time , Rave On, John Donne and Cry For Home are classic Van, however it is the two key instrumentals, Connswater and Celtic Swing where Morrison takes time to reflect on his Irish folk influences. In fact, you'd be...