Tracking Angle

Welcome to a unique platform with over 25 years of experience in music reviews and feature articles, both in print and online. The Tracking Angle launched its first issue in January 1995 as a compact, stapled music magazine focused on sound quality, under the editorial guidance of Michael Fremer. It rapidly evolved into a full-color, glossy magazine of standard size, showcasing an outstanding lineup of music critics and feature authors.

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From Jersey to Paris: The Life, Legacy, and Last Grooves of George “Funky” Brown

1 day ago | trackingangle.com | Evan Toth

Celebrating George Brown’s Journey from Kool & the Gang to Jazz in ParisGeorge Brown was affectionately known as George “Funky” Brown and provided drums and percussion to Kool and the Gang’s many funky forays.
The Black Swan MM/MC Phono Preamplifier Ruffles Costly Phono Preamp Feathers

5 days ago | trackingangle.com | Michael Fremer

feature load doesn't diminish sonicsDoes anyone enjoy the hassle of unscrewing a chassis top to access resistive and capacitive loading DIP switches, or to adjust phono preamplifier gain? It's a royal pain.
Strata-East: Preserving Audio & History

1 week ago | trackingangle.com | Michael Fremer

an interview with Kevin Gray about cutting the first four Strata-East ReissuesThe legendary Strata-East label started by Charles Tolliver and the late Stanley Cowell recently signed a long-term licensing deal with Mack Avenue Music Group, now owned by Exceleration Music. (L-R in photo: Kevin Gray, former Mack Avenue CEO Denny Stilwell and Charles's son Ched Tolliver).
Unassuming Gems By Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges, Roland Kirk Shine Via Acoustic Sounds

1 week ago | trackingangle.com | Morgan Enos

NEITHER ‘SIDE BY SIDE’ NOR ‘NOW PLEASE DON’T YOU CRY, BEAUTIFUL EDITH’ REINVENTED THE WHEEL — AND THEY NEVER NEEDED TODuke Ellington and Johnny Hodges may co-headline Side by Side, their portraits aligned in parallel on the cover. But for most of that 1959 album’s runtime, the titanic pianist, composer, and bandleader and his longtime alto saxophone foil aren’t together at all.
Donovan Gets Some Respect on IMPEX's "the hurdy gurdy man" AAA Reissue

1 week ago | trackingangle.com | Chris Bellman |Michael Fremer

an interesting choice for an audiophile reissue!Ever since arriving on the U.K. scene, harmonica holder around neck, strumming a guitar, singing a "wind" song (about catching it not looking for answers blowing in it), and being described as "the Scottish Bob Dylan" Donovan has unfairly suffered a respect deficit among some Boomer-aged music fans.
Elemental Music Offers More Live, Unheard Bill Evans & Art Pepper: Pristine-Sounding Records For Completists

2 weeks ago | trackingangle.com | Morgan Enos

PURCHASE THESE IF ART PEPPER’S SUNSET YEARS COMPEL YOU — AND IF NO AMOUNT OF BILL EVANS IS ENOUGHZev Feldman’s devotion to Bill Evans borders on evangelism — and the flock is growing. While prepping 2023’s Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings, the Resonance Records co-founder dropped into Crooked Beat Records in Alexandria, Virginia, only to learn the shop had pre-ordered 30 copies — an eye-popping tally for a niche archival set.
This "Lost Recording" is Definitely Worth Finding!

2 weeks ago | trackingangle.com | Kevin Gray |Michael Fremer

beautifully recorded in stereo by Berlin-Brandenburg Radio in Saal 3 studio (Hall 3) East BerlinHonestly at this point with the Ward/Johnson team writing for Tracking Angle, I often feel inadequate writing about classical music but I'll do my best. The Spanish concert pianist Alicia De Larrocha (1923-2009) gained fame in America touring in 1954 with The Los Angeles Philharmonic.
AXPONA Video 5 And MF's Show Wrap-Up

2 weeks ago | trackingangle.com | Michael Fremer

I second Ken Redmond's "Best Yet"!Yes, it's an audio show, but I'd rather cover what was new there to see rather than how the gear sounded in hotel rooms. Sure, some rooms made pretty compelling music and it wasn't necessarily based on cost, but when I hear equipment at shows that I've had at home or own, it never sounds as good in a hotel room or a hotel ballroom.
P-VINE Reissuing Clifford Jordan's Mapleshade Albums on CD and Vinyl

2 weeks ago | trackingangle.com | Michael Fremer

first time on vinyl and first time in Japan on any formatP-VINE Records recently announced it is re-issuing Clifford Jordan’s four Mapleshade albums on CD and vinyl. This is the first time any of these recordings have been released in Japan or have ever been available on vinyl. Older readers will most likely be familiar with both Mapleshade and these recordings, produced and engineered by the late Pierre Sprey.
78 Year Old Record Producer/Engineer/Songwriter Roy Thomas Baker R.I.P.-Died April 12th, Family Just Announced

3 weeks ago | trackingangle.com | Michael Fremer

your record collection is surely filled with his workRoy Thomas Baker, one of the rock era's most successful producer/engineers, best known for producing Queen's first five albums, as well as the first four albums by The Cars, died at age of 78 at his home in Lake Havasu City, AZ on April 12 his family just revealed. Cause of death not known. Baker's best known production, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" released in 1975 is currently the most streamed song recording during the 20th Century.