Hugh Masekela - Hope

Publisher:           Analogue Productions – RRAP 0004

Playing time:     66 min

Specifications:  half track ¼", stereo, CCIR, 38 cm/s

Reel(s): 2 standard metal reels, printed

Packaging: 2 deluxe cardboard boxes, 1 cardboard slipcase, printed, with spine labeling

Inserts: 1 insert sheet, 1 booklet with 4 pages

Homepage:      https://store.acousticsounds.com/

Music:

Translation of the German review:

Of course, it's absolutely crazy to spend $450 for a master tape copy. Plus freight, customs and handling fee, it costs about 500 Euros. At the moment, twelve different tapes are available from Acoustic Sounds. If you enter the search term "rrap" on the homepage http://store.acousticsounds.com/, they will appear. My choice fell on Masekela, because I know this music very well from the records and can therefore judge the quality of the tapes best.

The live recordings took place from July 30 to August 01, 1993 at the Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington D. C. in the USA. The semi-trailer "Silver Truck" with a built-in high-end sound studio of the recording manager David Hewett parked for several days next to the location for this purpose (see also my review in "analog 01.18", pages 90 - 92).

The master tape copy is the "mother" of all releases. It is superior to the three vinyl editions of this album in all parameters: The music plays with tremendous dynamics. The entire performance is clear and three-dimensional. The recording is reproduced without any effort or coloration. The reproduction of the stage is perfect. Compared to the records, much more detail can be heard.

The hybrid SACD, also available from Acoustic Sounds, does not do badly compared to the master tape copy. However, for good equipment that is capable of playing the full performance of the digital signal, you have to invest a real chunk of money. In my opinion, the biggest challenge with the digital signal is to get the timing and tonal balance right when converting it to analog. As with the production of a record, several electronic or mechanical conversion processes are necessary, which like to leave an acoustic fingerprint in the sound image. On the other hand, in the case of tape, the signal that was played onto the magnetic tape in real time is converted back into an analog signal in a very simple way. This means that the problems described above do not come into play. Another advantage is that tapes can be played back in a very high quality even with an inexpensive tape machine. This raises the question of whether the money should be invested in good tape copies instead of expensive digital equipment?

In the end, all you have to do is press start, watch the spinning reels and immerse yourself in a unique musical experience: goosebumps and back shivers are guaranteed. The Hugh Masekela master tape copy is perfectly produced, comes on two metal reels in individual boxes, the whole in a sturdy cardboard slipcase, and enjoys reference status.

Songs:

1. Abangoma (The Healers)                         04:59

2. Grazing In The Grass                                  03:27

3. Until When                                                   04:08

4. Nomali                                                          08:55

5. Market Place                                               05:28

6. Ha le Se (The Dowry Song)                       05:38

7. Stimela (Coal Train)                                   10:00

8. Uptownship                                                 04:51

9. Mandela (Bring Him Back Home!)           05:09

10. Lady                                                              07:00

11. Ntyilo Ntyilo (The Love Bird                        05:55

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)