Author: Mark Smotroff

Mark Smotroff is a freelance writer and avid music collector who has worked for many years in marketing communications for the consumer electronics, pro audio and video games industries, serving clients including DTS, Sega, Sony, Sharp, AT&T and many others. www.smotroff.com Mark has written for EQ Magazine, Mix Magazine, Goldmine/DISCoveries Magazine, BigPictureBigSound.com, Sound+Vision Magazine, HomeTechTell.com and many others. He is also a musician / composer whose songs have been used in TV shows such as Smallville and Men In Trees as well as films and documentaries. www.ingdom.com Mark is currently rolling out a new musical he's written: www.dialthemusical.com.

Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review, Criterion Blu-ray

Audiophile Music, Audiophile, Audiophile News

I had fairly high expectations for Criterion’s new director-approved Blu-ray Disc edition of the recent documentary on Bob...

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Whammy Bar Guitar Bliss On Matthew Sweet’s New Catspaw

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Matthew Sweet’s new album is a near one-man-band production that feels more like Neil Young’s Crazy Horse than Todd Rundgren or...

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U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind on 180-gram Vinyl

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

After reviewing the nice five CD boxed set celebrating U2’s mega successful comeback album, 2000’s All That You Can’t...

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It Sounds Great but Is It Practical?

Audiophile News, Audiophile • One Comment

Like a lot of folks, I enjoy sports cars. If I am to be completely honest, really fast sports cars. Until recently, however, I never owned...

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Exploring David Axelrod’s Heavy Axe, Colored Vinyl Reissue

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

I had high anticipation for this particular album in the new series of high quality reissues from Jazz Dispensary, the...

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The Monkees, Marketing & The Instant Gratification Music Business

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Last week my music buddy Frank pinged me about a special deal on Amazon for a live album by the remaining Monkees — Mike Nesmith and...

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Drummers Drumming: Jack DeJohnette & Idris Muhammad Rock Rhythms From Different Directions

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

The good folks at Craft Recordings’ rich Jazz Dispensary subsidiary unearthed a handful of tasty jams toward the end of last year...

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U2 2K: All That You Can’t Leave Behind Deluxe Edition Boxed Set

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

In the year 2000, a new album came out by Irish rock legends U2 called All That You Can’t Leave Behind. I had the CD when it was...

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Yes… No… Maybe… Is Colored Vinyl Really That Bad? Part 1

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Every now and again an audio-centric person on social media raises the specter of hatred towards the much beleaguered — and...

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Lou Donaldson’s Mr. Shing-A-Ling Jams On Blue Note Tone Poet Reissue

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Some of you know by now that I’m a bit of a crate digger. Actually, I am a pretty serious one, building much of my collection from...

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Dan Penn’s Great New Living On Mercy Album Finally On Vinyl

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Several months ago I reviewed a new pre-release CD by Dan Penn, the legendary composer, musician and producer. He is the composer behind...

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Why You Need To Hear Monty Alexander’s Love You Madly

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music

On the last Record Store Day event of 2020, several fascinating archival jazz releases were issued which I previewed (click here to read...

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Best of 2020: All You Need Is Love and Music!

Audiophile News, Audiophile, Audiophile Music • One Comment

It feels like we’re in a sort of home stretch getting through this year. 2020 has been such a strange and unsettling time. ...

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