Review: Medúlla (Polydor 9867591) – Björk (Stereo/Multichannel SA-CD) Audio Systems: Stereo – Sony ES, Art Audio, Reference 3A, Cardas Multichannel – Denon, Marantz, Bryston, Paradigm Reference (HT system) Music/Performance (4/5) Sonics (4.5/5) Normally I review music/performance and sonics in separate sections, but this doesn't really seem possible with...

It's easy sometimes to dismiss music without really examining it, some years back fellow Lugs reviewer Gordon Russell gave me a tape of Elliot Smith's XO album, his first major label release. I played it twice if I'm lucky and dismissed it offhand, a bit tuneless as I remember. My...

Availability: Northwest Classics is based in the Netherlands . At present, they have very limited international distribution and availability. Titles can be ordered directly from their website. The service is quick and professional. Music/Performance: Who? If you haven't heard the name Hans Ruckers, you're not alone. Ruckers was not a...

In 2004, the hothouse flowers released 'Into your heart'. It followed 6 years after the Born album which was itself a comeback album. Born was also a try out of a rockier more mainstream sound. While Born was an enjoyable listen it lacked the intensity and passion which the Flowers...

Having heard international lute superstar Nigel North live in concert twice, I was eager to get a hold of this recording, his latest on Linn, and the first on SA-CD. As North explains in his notes, both the music – there are about 2000 pieces for solo lute from the...

Piazzolla: Buenos Aires – Carrefour, Per Arne Glorvigen (NorthWest Classics NWC 205275) (Stereo-only SACD) Audio system: Sony ES, Placette, Rogue, Meadowlark, Cardas Availability: Northwest Classics is based in the Netherlands . At present, they have very limited international distribution and availability. Titles can be ordered directly from their website. The...

It's a well known story but for those who weren't paying attention I'll briefly summarise the tale for you. In 1984 three young Glaswegians who called themselves The Blue Nile released an l.p. on Scottish hi fi company Linn's record label that chiefly existed to promote the quality of their...