Tommy Schneider and Friends - The Best Of

Publisher: Horch House, HH01.00.236

Playing time: 37 min

Specifications: half track ¼", stereo, RTM SM911, CCIR, 510 nWb/m, 38 cm/s

Reel(s):               1 high quality metal reel, printed, with stickers

Packaging:        1 special cardboard box, with stickers, with spine labeling

Inserts:               1 booklet with 8 pages

Homepage: https://www.horchhouse.com/

Translation of the German review:

Since I bought the record "plan b3" by Tommy Schneider & Friends in 2010 and enjoyed the excellent sound every time I played it, I had the idea in my head to own this music with an even more uncompromising dynamic. So when in summer 2018 I had the pleasure to listen to the tape version produced under license by ETERNAL MASTERS, copied from the original digital files, I was already thrilled. I reported about it in analog 3/2018.

In November 2018, I met the bandleader and owner of the label KOLIBRI RECORDS, Tommy Schneider, at the AAA Analog Forum in Krefeld. We moved from one topic to the next in our rich discussions and got lost in technical talk about the last remaining ramifications of sound quality feasible on tape. Tommy expressed the idea to remaster selected recordings from the three albums "move", "plan b3" and "hidden port", which were made with his friends, in order to get the last bit of sound out of the recordings. This was then taken care of in August 2019 by the professional Dan Suter from the Swiss quality mastering studio ECHOCHAMBER. The files were carefully matched in dynamics and volume, so that the music now comes out of the compilation as if from one cast. The eight selected tracks find their place on a new tape "SM 911" from RTM (Recording The Masters), wound on an uncompromisingly manufactured tape reel from the German noble forge Feinwerktechnik Allgäu GmbH (tonbandspule.de). The design of the reel is unique, as is the color-coordinated gatefold box with the cover of the accompanying booklet. The text in the accompanying booklet lists all the important information: Be it the three albums on the inside pages with the selected pieces standing out in bold print or the source and recording equipment. After the explanations of every detail, I can very well understand the perfectionism of Tommy Schneider. This production is rock solid, lacking nothing.

The sound aesthete runs, besides his activity as a musician, the store "Hammond Times" in Zurich. His other remarkable talent is shown by the fact that he can maintain and restore historical Hammond organs, as well as the Leslie cabinets that go with them, impeccably. In addition, he gives music lessons on the Hammond organ.

For the present recording, Tommy Schneider worked his way into the technology of tape recorders. It was a matter of finding out from which variant of the transfer which sonic nuance would emerge. The transfer of the digital files to the analog medium was then done with a TELEFUNKEN "M10A" equipped with "V86" and "V87" tube amplifiers (see photo). From this master tape, the copies for the end customer are now made completely analog and in real time. For this, a STUDER "A80R" is used for playback and a TELEFUNKEN "M15A" for recording. The music includes the genres swing, acid jazz, blues, funk, soul, Latin, peppered with rock elements. In addition to contemplative moments, there are also times when things really get going. Mostly even within the pieces, which are thus arranged very entertaining. Six of the eight selected songs for "The best of" were composed by Tommy Schneider himself. In the selection of songs he can also be heard on the flute. His colleagues in the band are all brilliant as well, and the interplay is wonderful to listen to. This tape is for me a highlight of the magnetic medium, which shows the limits of what is possible. A must for every tape fan. From a lover for lovers.

The following musicians can be heard:

Adrian Stern, born in Zurich in 1975, is an excellent guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. His appearances on Swiss television under his own name or as a band member with well-known Swiss musicians testify to his great musical skills. He has released several albums of his own. On this compilation his versatility can be heard.

Philippe Chrétien, born in Basel in 1958, was first taught piano and trumpet and found the tenor saxophone in 1979. He developed his personal style. Listen to his unmistakable tone in harmony with his musical sensitivity. Motto: "He's got a killer sound!"

Hans Peter Bartsch, born in 1966, hails from the German Frankfurt am Main region. He is known as a session drummer and is also an excellent pianist. He plays in various music projects. His variability makes him a perfect fit for Tommy Schneider's music projects.

Massimo Buonanno, born in 1985 in Egnach (Switzerland), is a passionate live musician who, for example, played about 280 concerts in 2015 (with Seven, Gregor Meyle or Claude Diallo Situation, among others). At the turn of the year 2015 he played with Gregor Meyle at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in front of a million people - and now from the tape for you in your living room.

Tommy Schneider, born in Zurich in 1962, works as a composer, flutist, Hammond organist and producer. He plays with various bands and can look back on a total of five released albums (four studio and one live recording). Listen to his masterfully played Hammond organ with all its tonal nuances.

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