Dave Denyer: The Reel-to-Reel Rambler

A quick tour of my top Van albums Anyone who’s been anywhere near Van Morrison’s catalogue knows the two giants: Astral Weeks (1968) and Moondance (1970).

Tape box Anyone who’s been following me for a while will know that Crosby Stills and Nash have, for a couple of decades at least, formed the centre of my musical galaxy!

I’ve received loads of emails from you guys about problems with ordering tapes from Rhino High Fidelity – and I’ve also experienced a few hiccups and frustrations myself, which I’ve raised with Rhino a few times.

A few days ago I posted an introduction to new tape label TWINN, from the UK analogue outfit Night Dreamer.

2026: a breakpoint year for reel‑to‑reel — and a new UK player steps in 2026 already feels like a turning point for reel‑to‑reel tape.

If you’re a regular reader here (or anywhere on the R2R tape forums) you’ll no doubt be aware that Rhino High Fidelity is steaming ahead at full speed, settling into releasing around two absolute classic albums each month as one-to-one-to-one reel to reel…

And no, it’s not Jonathan Valin, the magazine’s usual champion of all things R2R.

Rhino High Fidelity recently released this timeless rock classic as a one-to-one copy master tape, within just a couple of months of what was surely the ultimate release of this 1973 gem: the Analogue Productions UHQR 2 x 45rpm LP vinyl record.

…and another one (I can barely keep up!!).

Yet another blinder from Rhino High Fidelity folks!