STACK #199 May 2021

MUSIC FEATURE

CHART Vinyl

Record Fare

carbon brush perpendicular

to the revolving vinyl and lightly touch the fibre tips to penetrate the grooves; don’t press too hard or you could damage the vinyl – just

Keeping your records clean and dust- free is an essential part of owning and playing vinyl. When you play a record that isn’t scratched or well- worn, the pops and clicks you hear are caused by dust and static build-up or other materials that have made it onto the surface. Vinyl should always be cleaned with a carbon brush before play and that extends to brand new records too, as these can contain residue from the production process. The stylus will also pick up dust and grime on each rotation and this will also affect the sound quality. This handy five-in-one cleaning kit from Flea Market covers most of the cleaning maintenance requirements you’ll need. Housed in a PU suede case, it features a stylus cleaner, a carbon dry cleaning brush, record cleaning solution and a microfibre cloth. The carbon brush is an essential tool for any vinyl enthusiast and should be used before each play, and, if you have the time, after – your records will thank you for it. Designed to remove dust and static, place the record on the platter and start the turntable. Hold the

enough to lift the dust. Use the ridge built into the brush housing to clean off the fibres and avoid touching it with your fingers – you don’t want to transfer any oils to your records. For a deeper vinyl clean to remove more stubborn dirt, take the cleaning solution and spray it directly onto the microfibre cloth, never directly on the vinyl. Then lightly wipe in a circular motion around the record until it is removed. The stylus cleaner here is a long brush much like a mascara stick that you pull from a case. Gently brush the stylus from the back forwards three or four times whenever you finish playing records for the day. Vinyl that is well-cared for will last a lifetime and beyond, and by implementing a simple but regular cleaning regime for both your records and equipment, you’re helping to assist that longevity.

1. ARIANA GRANDE Positions 2. ARCTIC MONKEYS AM 3. HARRY STYLES Fine Line 4. FLEETWOOD MAC Rumours 5. QUEEN Greatest Hits 6. NIRVANA Nevermind (Reissue) 7. THE OFFSPRING Let the Bad Times Roll 8. SKEGSS Rehearsal 9. LANA DEL REY

#1

Reasons why playing and collecting vinyl will always be better You’re always in the moment. There’s no skipping through or fast-forwarding tracks on a vinyl playback. Once you drop the needle and walk away, you’re in for the duration. Records demand your attention and deserve your appreciation – forget digital playlists, this is where it’s at.

Be Friends enchants from its opening piano tinkles, while Berlin’s swinging Cheek to Cheek is, quite appropriately, heavenly. TOP TRACK: Can’t We Be Friends? FAST FACT: This was the first of an eventual three albums that Fitzgerald and Armstrong recorded together for Verve Records.

ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG Ella And Louis (1956) Two of the biggest names in jazz at the time – and still today. What could go possibly wrong? Nothing! Despite their very different styles, this collision of top talent resulted in an album that’s still rightly regarded as a classic today. With musical accompaniment from the Oscar Peterson Quartet, plus Louis on trumpet, the pair take on 11 big songs of the time – now standards - by the likes of Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael and the pairing of George and Ira Gershwin. A-side opener Can’t We

Chemtrails Over the Country Club

10. LONDON GRAMMAR Californian Soil

On The Record Radar

CROWDED HOUSE Dreamers Are Waiting (JB-excl silver vinyl, blue vinyl) Neil Finn and his new Crowded House line-up (featuring Nick Seymour, Mitchell Froom, and Neil’s sons Liam and Elroy) return with their first album in more than 10 years. OUT 4/6

HIATUS KAIYOTE Mood Valiant (JB-excl dark green vinyl, glow in the dark vinyl) The hugely anticipated third album from Melbourne’s internationally acclaimed neo- future-soul darlings is going to smash its way up the vinyl chart. OUT 25/6

BOBBY GILLESPIE AND JEHNNY BETH Utopian Ashes (black vinyl, JB-excl red vinyl) Primal Scream’s main man Gillespie and Savages’ frontwoman Beth have fused their talents into this upcoming country-soul gem. OUT 2/7

WOLF ALICE Blue Weekend (on ltd edn green vinyl, ltd edn transparent yellow, ltd edn transparent red vinyl, and black vinyl)

OUT 11/6

The Mercury Prize-winning English four- piece are ready to rock your alt-lovin’ socks a third time with the help of celebrated producer Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Bjork, Florence + The Machine).

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