vinyl records – Luno

The Best Vinyl Records Ever Made – Yacht Rock Edition | LUNO

luno — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 16:44:36 +0000

Call it dad rock, smooth jazz, easy listening, adult contemporary, lite rock or by its most famous and current label yacht rock, it is one of the most divisive genres of music in the history of popular music recordings. You can hear it in elevators, at your dentist office, at the grocery store or anywhere a pleasant and mostly upbeat tune is needed to keep a mellow vibe in public spaces. Because of this many have begun to associate these artists with dental surgery and other mundane scenarios that we’re forced to wait in varying levels of distress, for uncomfortably long periods of time. These artists and their selected albums however are some of the most complex expressions of pop music from the last century, featuring some of the greatest musicianship and melodies ever to be cut to a vinyl record. This however is not up for debate, like it or not, these are:

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER THE BEST YACHT ROCK VINYL RECORDS EVER MADE

STEELY DAN – AJA

One of the funkiest albums ever recorded that you could also fall asleep to. This apple falls closer to the smooth jazz tree, but these ice cold jams will treat you real nice when when you’re out for a dinner with that special lady at the Bonaventure hotel, or taking an ocean drive in your metallic blue Lamborghini Countach, coked out of your mind. There are a lot of great Steely Dan records, once you fall down the SD rabbit hole, most fans never resurface and become raving evangelists of this incredible band.

ROXY MUSIC – AVALON

Many would want to strangle me for including this on a yacht rock list, but it ticks all of the boxes of our nautical genre. Not only is this album front to back flawless, it blends the sophisticated synth sound that brought Roxy Music into the 1980s. From its timeless classic “More Than This” to the etherial fantasy of “True To Life,” this album has some of the best studio recordings translated to vinyl I have ever heard.

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – MINUTE BY MINUTE

All I have to say about this one is four grammys, count ’em 1, 2, 3, 4. If that’s not enough for you, my secondary evidence is “What A Fool Believes.” Michael McDonald has one of the most distinctive and beautiful male voices of the 70s and 80s, he went on to achieve some of the greatest achievements of the Yacht Rock genre, this entire post could be dedicated to this somewhat under appreciated genius.

MIAMI SOUND MACHINE – PRIMITIVE LOVE

This album has almost all of the tracks that you love but may not know are performed by Miami Sound Machine. This album is a monster, I call this record soft proto-freestyle, but where it gained popularity was in the safe spaces that smooth jazz and adult contemporary provided during 1985. Gloria Estefan absolutely kills it on “Bad Boys,” “Conga,” and “Falling In love (Uh-Oh),” how did albums in the 80s each contain an endless amount singles?

DOUBLE – BLUE

A song that was un-escapeable between the years of 1986 and 1989, “Captain Of Her Heart,” was soothing yet haunting, and as beautiful and reassuring as the yacht itself. What many did not appreciate at the time, mostly because they were a one hit wonder in the US, was how great Kurt Maloo’s voice came across on every single track of their magnum opus Blue. This record could be the dictionary definition of what smooth jazz is, and defined the mellow sound of the elegant 80s, so much so that you’d swear this album was recorded on a yacht.

HALL & OATES – H2O

You can’t have this list without Hall & Oates, and it’s an extremely difficult decision as to which of their albums most deserves to be on this list. This one edges out Private Eyes primarily for how incredible this vinyl record sounds, and the diamond pristine production that went into making this one of the most iconic albums of the 1980s.

STEVE WINWOOD – BACK IN THE HIGHLIFE

Winwood has been a part of so many great music projects, but it’s hard to see any resemblance between the LSD traveler who sang “Dear Mr. Fantasy” with Traffic in the 60s reflected at all in the peak of his commercial success, Back In The Highlife. If you don’t think you know Winwood, you most probably do, his songs “Higher Love” and “The Finer Things” still haunt waiting rooms until this very day.

CHRISTOPHER CROSS – CHRISTOPHER CROSS

The only thing more impressive than McDonald’s 4 grammys with The Doobie Brothers, are the 5 that Christopher Cross won for his extremely impressive debut, that many refer to as the blueprint for yacht rock, referring to his timelessly smooth classic “Sailing.” His voice is as clear and beautiful as a horn, clearly an angel walking among us.

FLEETWOOD MAC – TANGO IN THE NIGHT

If you thought you couldn’t make Fleetwood Mac into an 80s band, think again. Lindsay Buckingham lead this incredible band into some of the most complex productions, and vocal arrangements of their career. This album is so smooth, there are literally almost no words to describe it. Every convention that 1980s production came to be known for is distilled here into one record. If you need to put on something to come down from listening to all of Christopher Cross from front to back, this could be one of the few records worthy of that challenge.

Please make sure that you listen to these albums responsibly on a quality hifi stereo record console.

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CLASSIC VINYL – FRANK ZAPPA – ONE SIZE FITS ALL | LUNO

luno — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 21:29:34 +0000

We continue the Frank Zappa celebration this week by revisiting one of the all time greatest classic rock records, and the album that contains the track that inspired our new SSKL Zappa collaboration record console with the Frank Zappa Estate. For those who may be wondering, the sound waveform used in our design is actually taken from one of the most beloved tracks from One Size Fits All “Sofa no. 1.” Considering how rich and eclectic Frank’s catalog of music is, it’s hard to focus on just one record, rather than just gush about our love for this incredible musician, so we’ll be doing a little of both here.

One Size Fits All is a groundbreaking work that defies expectations, defines new boundaries and just as quickly obliterates them and builds something entirely new. The album contains some of the most beautiful, inventive, intense, playful and liberating music I can think of. Many have attempted to try to reduce what Zappa does here to a formula and replicate it, but none have ever been nearly as successful in achieving the sense of pure freedom unselfconscious exploration of ideas that transcend description. This album should almost be likened to space exploration, but yet for all of its experimentation this record is so immediate and accessible that it again defies almost all other records that you could compare it to that came before it or followed in its influence.

This is rock unlike you’ve ever heard, jazz unlike you’ve ever heard and something else that really has no name, and probably for very good reason can’t be named. Tracks like “Po-jama people” that capture a proto-funk vibe with some of the most incredible and tasteful, face-meting riffs that I have ever heard captured on record. Zappa and The Mothers of Invention were so tapped in and synched up in their playing on One Size Fits All that its almost unreal, the musical ideas explored here are nothing short of a breathtaking work of masters of their craft.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure you check out not only our new SSKL Zappa record console but also the incredible Soundwave Listening Chairs that we debuted yesterday. We’re so excited to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the Frank Zappa Estate on this incredible project.

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Vinyl Collecting 101: Properly Maintaining Your Wax | LUNO

luno — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 00:36:07 +0000

If you are reading this, you probably have a new-found or existing respect for vinyl records and all that they have to offer. Truly, vinyl is making huge strides in renewed popularity, partly because of a format that allows listeners to enjoy an emotional connection with the experience of listening to warm sounds generated by oversized discs housed in colorful covers. While the appeal of owning a vinyl collection, large or small, varies in importance according to the collector, the methods for buying, transporting, playing, and storing are relatively set in stone. Keep reading to learn more about how to preserve your music collection for many years.

Getting Started with Your Collection

Older vinyl records are easy to come by these days. Other than Music Row, you can find them at yard sales, record stores, and thrift shops. Most of the time you don’t even need to spend much money on them. However, buying a good record takes a little bit of know-how if you want to add playable, quality albums to your collection. You need to contain your excitement over finding a nearly pristine sleeve of “Love Me Do.” Make sure to check the record for signs of imperfection, including ground-in dirt, scratches, chipped edges, and grooves.

Checking the condition of a vinyl record begins by carefully taking it out of the cover and visually inspecting it. While dust is to be expected, ground-in dirt is not. Use these tips to avoid problems:

• Look for scratches, grooves, and chips by running your finger along the record.
• Even if the record comes up relatively smooth, you should take the time to listen to it and see if it plays cleanly enough for your ear.
• It is a good idea never to purchase a dirty disc if you can possibly avoid it. Ask if the shop has a cleaning machine and run the album you are considering through it at least once. Doing so makes it easier to identify imperfections in the copy.

Places to Buy Vinyl Records

If you are looking for a good place to purchase vinyl, you may want to consider:

• Record shops
• Second-hand shops
• Book sales
• Garage sales
• Discogs.com

The first three choices are perfect for older, used copies. These are the types of places where you can find an album that you need to complete your collection of a particular artist. On the other hand, the last two listings offer excellent options for sourcing new vinyl. Of course, you can always check out vinylhub.com to find even more stores and websites to shop for the newest additions to your music collection.

Avoiding Bootleg Versions

Unless you are in the market for bootleg copies, almost nothing is worse than coming home with a great find only to discover the record is a fake. The best way to avoid this scenario is to learn to recognize a bootleg copy so you don’t accidentally buy one in your excitement. Bootleg copies of vinyl records typically fall short in the weight category, and they usually have an unbelievably low price tag. When in doubt, put it back.

Maintenance tips such as cleaning the records and turntable itself

Not only is it important to store your record collection properly, but you also need to care for it well. Before you begin playing your albums, take a few minutes to check them out visually. A dirty record certainly isn’t going to play well on your turntable, and it may even sustain damage while you are listening to it. Use one of the following options to eliminate pressing residue and dust from your vinyl records:

• Carbon-fiber brush – gently brush the dust off the record
• Record-cleaning machine – follow the directions accompanying the machine
• Wood glue – allow a thin coat of wood glue to dry on the record and slowly peel it off

Don’t forget about the stylus needle of your record player, because you also have to keep it clean in order to avoid damaging your records inadvertently. Use one of the following to do so or purchase a Groovewasher Kit which comes with everything you need:

• Stylus brush – gently brush the stylus from back to front
• Stylus pillow – gently place the stylus needle into the pillow
• Ultrasonic cleaner – follow the directions accompanying the ultrasonic cleaner

Whether you are preserving vinyl as a collector or as a practicing musician, there’s a right way to do it. Truthfully, though, there is a learning curve in learning how to properly care for vinyl records. After all, this isn’t a practice that most households indulge in anymore. Nonetheless, if you are going to take the time to build a fantastic collection of albums, you may as well strive to maintain their value by using tips for the proper care of your records and turntable.

by Angie Bersin of RedFin

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Virgin Voyages’ Tom Dixon-Designed Rock-and-Roll Inspired Suite | LUNO

luno — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:10:04 +0000

Virgin Voyages has just released new renderings for their Tom Dixon-designed, rock-and-roll inspired suites aboard Scarlet Lady, a new cruise ship expected to set sail in 2020 in the Caribbean. It is the first of four ships that Virgin Voyages is currently constructing in Italy. On Scarlet Lady, there will be 78 RockStar suites which express a “rebellious luxe to life at sea,” according to Dixon. The ship will carry 2,770 passengers. Think of Scarlet Lady as having the premium luxury finishes of a yacht, but on the scale of a cruise ship. It will be a true party ship for adults only, so nothing will be tamed for the sake of kids.

Each RockStar suite will have terrazzo flooring, European king beds, marble bathrooms tiling, a full bar, a cocktail lounge, and a music room with electric guitars and an amplifier. In other parts of the suite, framed posters of the legendary musicians hang on the walls, as well as a gold-plated vinyl record player, and a collection of classic records. As we’ve shown in a previous post, the presence of vinyl collections and record players in hotel rooms and amenity spaces has become increasingly popular in luxury tourism.

“Virgin has always avoided stuffy formalities and brought a lot of excitement and a bit of rebelliousness to our customer experiences,” explained Sir Richard Branson in a recent article. As we’ve come to expect from any of Branson’s Virgin ventures, from airlines, to music, to hyperloops, nothing is done the typical way. They are always pushing the boundaries. Other cruise operators thought that they had set the bar for the 21^st century cruise experience compared to the first 100 years of luxury cruising, but Virgin Voyages is a few levels above that.

Cassette tapes had their time, but they are from the past,

And CDs ruled for a while, but came and went so fast,

But who would have thought, that vinyl would last.

LUNO did, and that’s why our record consoles are a blast.

Order one today, at iamluno.com.

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The Know Release Debut EP “wearetheknow” & Limited Edition Gold Vinyl

luno — Mon, 18 May 2020 22:07:26 +0000

We’re excited to announce The Know’s debut EP, wearetheknow, that is officially out today and coincidentally, Dan Knowles and Jennifer Farmer, the Founders of LUNO’s project.

The EP spans 5 tracks that showcase their dreamy soundscapes, fuzzy guitar textures, and fearless desire to carve a place for themselves. From production to visuals, The Know took on every aspect of the project themselves. Much like with LUNO, Knowles, formerly the guitarist and producer of UK shoegazers, Amusement Parks on Fire, and live sound engineer for bands like Cigarettes After Sex and Caroline Polachek, handled the “sound” and Farmer handled the “vision.”

The EP provides an unflinching look at the couple. It often delves deep into the duo’s personal lives by honestly narrating stories from their relationship and life experiences against a kaleidoscopic sonic palette. wearetheknow

wearetheknow features tracks like “143, ” the couple’s lead single that drew critical acclaim. The song was inspired by Tom Waits’ ‘(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night’, by melding autobiographical with fantastical lyrics and unfolds as a series of conversations, images, and hazy recollections of a night out.

The EP also features “Hold Me Like You Know Me” and “Someday Maybe” – tracks that pegged The Know “as one of the genre’s freshest acts” and “one of the best dream pop acts to have hit the scene as of late.”

Two unreleased tracks “Dreamlike State” and “The Tiny Door” complete the 5 song EP bring up memories of Beach House and Low’s “Double Negative.”

wearetheknow is available on all streaming platforms and Bandcamp. Limited Edition Vinyl available by the band and Limited Edition CDs by Shoredive Records.

A very good inside also source tells me EP #2 is already in the works!

written by MC

Stream wearetheknow on Spotify

For more information on The Know, visit their website at www.wearetheknow.com or purchase the Limited Edition vinyl below while it’s still available.

THE KNOW EP – Limited Edition Gold Record Vinyl

FOLLOW THE KNOW
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/wearetheknow
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/wearetheknow/
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OxjRhhg0oJKQPzMPseQHn
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPEJNyx58B4
BANDCAMP: https://wearetheknow.bandcamp.com/releases
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/wearetheknow_

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