Audiophile Vinyl

Reema
One For Sorrow, Two For Joy
LowSwing Records LOSW013 (two LPs; One-Step 140g vinyl)

Hot on the heels of Lori Lieberman’s superb Perfect Day [HFN Mar ’25], LowSwing Records has done it again with this singer-songwriter’s fine collection of ten songs spread over three sides of two LPs. Again, the involvement of Brinkmann Audio, a brace of highly coveted Telefunken open-reel decks and the label’s preferred 140g vinyl have ensured that this ‘100% analogue, computer-free’ session is as real-sounding as it gets. Reema, on acoustic and electric guitars, with vocals in between Lieberman’s and Judee Sill’s, is backed by Hammond B3 organ and drums, and the set is as moody as the title suggests. ‘Intimacy’ applied here is no exaggeration. Check out the opening track, ‘Black Clouds’, on YouTube. KK

Sound Quality: 95%

The Butterfield Blues Band

The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw
Speakers Corner/Elektra EKS-74015 (180g vinyl)

Opinions differ regarding the changes after guitar god Mike Bloomfield left the group, but The Butterfield Blues Band’s third LP, from 1967, returned to the more concise forms of the debut rather than the esoteric extended jams of the critics’ fave, 1966’s East-West. The addition of a horn section (with no less than recently deceased David Sanborn, as ‘Dave Sanborne’) gave it a more soulful feel and this fan for one prefers it. Elvin Bishop gamely stepped up to assume Bloomfield’s duties, and he remains – 58 years on – a vastly underappreciated blues guitarist. Superb versions of ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’, ‘Double Trouble’ and ‘Driftin’ And Driftin’’ highlight the album. KK

Sound Quality: 85%

Fleetwood Mac
Tango In The Night
Mobile Fidelity MFSL 2-569 (two 45rpm LPs)

Though overshadowed by three of its four predecessors, the fifth and final LP from the classic post-blues Mac lineup with the soon-to-depart Lindsey Buckingham was hardly a throwaway. Despite reports that the pressure was huge and drug use rampant, the album is coherent and its quality undeniable. Indeed, this 1987 release produced at least two songs – ‘Everywhere’ and ‘Little Lies’ – which are so familiar you’re forgiven for thinking they came from Fleetwood Mac or Rumours, while the album topped the UK charts. Christine McVie is the star voice and songwriter, but kudos to Buckingham for maintaining the high standards in his farewell effort. KK

Sound Quality: 90%

Little Feat
Strike Up The Band
Hot Tomato Productions LFR002LP (two LPs)

Some 20-plus albums and 46 years after the passing of Lowell George, Little Feat continue to confound those who still deem his absence as the band’s demise. The inimitable – nay, truly unique – funk factor remains, not least because the current lineup still features three of the founding members: Bill Payne on keyboards, Kenny Gradney on bass, and Sam Clayton on percussion/vocals, with Fred Tackett on guitars/vocals since 1987. It’s pure Feat from the opening notes, heralding a swift return to their more eclectic genre blending after 2024’s collection of blues covers, Sam’s Place. High points include the fabulous Larkin Poe on the title track. KK

Sound Quality: 90%