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.

Jon Anderson’s 1000 Hands Shines On Vinyl

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff enjoys an album that is 21st century Yes music in all but name…

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Fleet Foxes’ New Shore Reaffirms Greatness, Grandeur On Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify Streams

Audiophile, Audiophile Music • One Comment

Mark Smotroff is elated over a surprise new album from a favorite band......

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Record Store Day Preview: Parish Hall 180-gram Vinyl Reissue

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff rocks out to a lost California blues rock band ...

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Jonathan Richman’s I, Jonathan on Vinyl, Tidal and Qobuz Streams

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff revels in a ’90s Lo Fi gem that is surprisingly Hi Fi…

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Les Paul’s Radio Show

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff finds music history gold streaming free on the web......

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Thelonious Monk’s Lost 1968 Palo Alto Concert, New Release Preview

Audiophile, Audiophile Music • 2 Comments

Mark Smotroff appreciates the cultural and historical significance of a lost concert... ...

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Bettye LaVette’s New Blackbirds Album On Tidal MQA, Qobuz Hi Res Streams

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff is thankful for another wonderful album by a living legend…

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The Flaming Lips’ New American Head Album Previewed

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff embraces a fresh prog pop epic... ...

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Catching Up With Thomas Walsh’s Pugwash on Vinyl, CD, Streaming

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff wishes more pure popularity for a now composer......

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Lou Reed’s Walk On The Audiophile Side (A Not Quite Book Review)

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff discovers a high fidelity subtext to a rock legend’s life….

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Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson, Acoustic Sounds Verve Records Vinyl, Streaming

Audiophile, Audiophile Music • 2 Comments

Mark Smotroff explores another rare jazz classic reissue... ...

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Larkin Poe’s Self Made Man on Vinyl, Tidal and Qobuz Streaming

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff gets a fresh dose of bluesy rock 'n roll... ...

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Guided By Voices’ New Mirrored Aztec Album on Vinyl, Tidal and Qobuz Streams

Audiophile Music, Audiophile

Mark Smotroff continues to be wow’d by all things GBV…

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Dan Penn’s Living On Mercy Delivers Timeless Hopeful Tunes

Audiophile, Audiophile Music, Audiophile News

Mark Smotroff connects some songwriting and production dots... ...

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Getz / Gilberto’s Classic Verve Records Acoustic Sounds Vinyl Reissue Compared, Contrasted

Analog, Audiophile, Audiophile Music • 3 Comments

Mark Smotroff appreciates a well done reissue even for a super popular recording... ...

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Staples Singers’ Late ’70s Joys Do It Again on CD, Tidal, Qobuz Streaming

Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff grooves on some forgotten jams... ...

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Lou Barlow’s EMOH, Great Sounding Indie Folk-Rock on Vinyl, Tidal and Qobuz Streaming

Audiophile, Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff explores whether an indie album can sound great... ...

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The Best Of The Doors In Discrete Quadrophonic Sound, Track By Track

Audiophile Music • One Comment

Mark Smotroff geeks out on an early surround experience he’s waited decades to hear…

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Oneness Of Juju : African Rhythms 1970-2020 on Vinyl, Tidal, Qobuz Streaming

Audiophile Music

Mark Smotroff discovers some fine grooves he missed back in the day......

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