Ken Kessler

3 weeks ago | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

RICK WAKEMANYessonataFragile Records FRICD101For those who think my reviews are biased, I am neither a Yes nor a Wakeman fan per se, and an album with two suites consisting of solo piano is hardly my usual fare. For that matter, it’s not even particularly Yes-sy despite being an adaptation for solo piano of his ‘The YES Suite’ consisting of themes from the band and which has proven a hit in concert.

3 weeks ago | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Johnnie TaylorOne Step From The BluesStax/Craft CR00803 (180g vinyl)A dozen perfectly remastered tracks from Taylor’s time at Stax (1967–74) focused on the bluesier side of this soul singer’s output, just as the title declares. Taylor, for my money, ranks with the very best, up there with Pickett, Tate and Wilson. This set shows just how skilled he was away from straight soul belting, as with his big hit ‘Who’s Making Love’.

1 month ago | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Steely DanPretzel LogicAnalogue Productions CAPP136SAPredictable for Album of the Month? Of course, but if Steely Dan is one of the default artists for audiophiles, like The Band and The Eagles, it’s because the music is exceptional and the sound superb. Their third album, from 1974, maintained the quality of its predecessors and steered the band on a jazzier course.

1 month ago | hifinews.com | Ken Kessler

Top 20 surround sound albumsKen Kessler  |  May 24, 2025  |  First Published: Nov 1, 2024 From Mingus to Mancini, The O’Jays to The Doors, Ken Kessler brings you an audiophile’s A-list of 20 brand-new surround sound albums ready to wrap you in all their 360° gloryParaphrasing Mark Twain when he read his obituary, reports of the death of surround sound are greatly exaggerated.

1 month ago | revolutionwatch.com | Ken Kessler

Any student of horology can make a case for any decade, from 1900 onward, as the period which saw the greatest impact on the development, ascent and eventual all-encompassing success of the wristwatch. Throw one at me and I’ll show you how: 1940s? Military watches, sweep-seconds, shock-resistance. 1960s? Automatic chronograph, the Accutron — stop me when you’ve heard enough. For my money, however, the era during which the wristwatch reached critical mass is the Roaring Twenties.