Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

Mamie Van Doren

Citation Kits by Harmon Kardon

Jazz Club Tabou Paris 1947

 Paris was obsessed with Jazz the moment it hit in the 1920's and by the 40's there were many Jazz clubs.  In my top 10 places to visit in a time machine is the cellar club Tabou and of course the other Parisian Jazz clubs. These clubs were rowdy and loud so they tended to be short lived.The clubs  and clientele were migratory. These clubs were where the Jazz inspired artists of the time gathered. The American Jazz artists loved Paris and Europe because they were treated so much better than in the US. This must have been a welcomed culture shock. It is amazing any Jazz artist came back to the US all. I know I wouldn't have looked back.

 Nice car.

The McIntosh C20 Ad

Stephens Tru-Sonic Built-in

Check out this mono Stephens Trusonic built-in speaker. I love MCM but I'm not sure I get this room it is a little sparse. This may be a Tru-Sonic Eames but not positive.   

DIY Concrete Nautilus

Alfonso de Rojas did this incredible diy concrete Nautilas build. I love the organic shape of the Nautilas. The only thing it needs are horns : ) I wonder how much they weigh?

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

This one is for Thebes.

Jimi In Action 69

I have annoying friends who tell me about seeing Hendrix 2 or 5 times but hey at least I have these video clips.... Nope doesn't cut it I'm still jealous as hell. Anyway the version of Red House below is superb.

Full concert..

Tannoy - Budgeting For The Best

Some things never change in High Fidelity audio the price is usually high. Nice Tannoy marketing tactic employed here.

University - INDOOR HIGH FIDELITY, OUTDOORS! even stereo

I'm not sure how much fidelity these girls are going to experience with those things on their heads. I suppose 60's stereo at the pool was pretty cool.

Nkengas Destruction Reissue By Secret Stash Records

Another killer release from Secret Stash Records. This time on pink vinyl with bonus 45. These guys know how to reel us in quickly. Osadebe is my favorite Highlife artist so when I heard his band had a split in London in 73 I knew the musicians were high quality. I didn't even question if this record was going to be good I knew it was going to be special. Around noon today I chilled out and gave this record a spin and it is superb. Thank you Secret Stash Records.

 

I ordered as soon as I got the email notice. I'm 123 of 350. If there are any available you should place an order. 

 

 My LED lighting makes it look orange instead of pink. I never tire of turntable porn so check out these two 5 second exposures.

http://secretstashrecords.com/store/destruction/

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

Davone Of Denmark - Ray Speakers

Denmark has a long tradition of great modern designs. These speakers are pressed plywood. The Ray reminds me of War Of The Worlds.

http://www.davoneaudio.com/ray.html

 

The Ray specifications.

 

I've seen bent plywood designs but not pressed plywood. Nice. 

http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/lifestyle/20110615/00300_001.html

Corner-Mounting Infinite Baffle For RCA LC-1A - 1952

Interesting speaker enclosure design for the Olsen speaker LC-1A. I have to get my hands on one of these some day. Although I think the Bill Woods post regarding a cabinet design by Olsen would be best but only one way to find out which is to build both.

Moondog The Viking Of Sixth Avenue - Trailer

Just noticed there was a trailer for the Moondog movie in the works. This is exciting. 

Janice Wong does a great version of Birds Lament. Birds Lament was written by Moondog after the passing of Charlie Parker aka Bird. According to Moondog Bird dropped by his doorway often and they talked music and even talked of collaborating on a record. This was not to be as Bird passed after that conversation. Could you imagine a Charlie Parker Moondog record? Almost as cool as my dream of a long lost Moondog And Sun Ra collaboration recording.

"I'm not gonna die in 4/4 time." 

Moondog

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

Baltik or Blaltik Electrostatic Speakers

 I have been researching these Baltik electrostatics from I suppose Russia correction Latvia but can't find very much info on them.  If you recognize these or have additional information please comment on this post. These are very cool looking speakers. They look like they were made in the late 70's or early 80's but that is another guess.

 

RADIART GXF-2 ALL-ELECTRIC THEATER AMPLIFIER

Very early theater amplifier. This is the first Radiart I've seen.

A NEW WORLD IN SOUND BY BRAINARD

This must be THE best name for an audio company I have ever heard. Hell yeah! I'll buy the BRAINARD!

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

The 4ft Voigt Loudspeaker

This landed in my inbox this week. I've been drooling over the smaller version of this horn for years. A four foot version with a bass module is just too dam cool.