Simon Slator
@simonslator.substack.com
Vinyl-spinning music nerd. Purveyor of Electronic music. Loves comedy and satire. Political watermelon.
BC: martinsolos.bandcamp.com
BC: simonslator.bandcamp.com
BC: martinsolos.bandcamp.com
BC: simonslator.bandcamp.com
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it.
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
(Light aircraft are vehicles that have motors and engines, right?)
15 minutes until my work day ends, by which time this masterpiece of Scottish Folk Rock will be clean. Had to settle for a Chrysalis re-issue manufactured by sassenachs.
November 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
15 minutes until my work day ends, by which time this masterpiece of Scottish Folk Rock will be clean. Had to settle for a Chrysalis re-issue manufactured by sassenachs.
Was I mad to buy the 35th Anniversary 2xLP of Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" even when I own the CD version? Not really. I don't mind it broken up into quarters - it's chance for a comfort break or to refill my mug, and the side breaks do kind of work where they are.
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Was I mad to buy the 35th Anniversary 2xLP of Mike Oldfield's "Amarok" even when I own the CD version? Not really. I don't mind it broken up into quarters - it's chance for a comfort break or to refill my mug, and the side breaks do kind of work where they are.
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
#nowplaying #musicsky #vinylsky
Working my way through several batches of new vinyl. Currently on the TT is "Searching for My Love" by King Sunny Adé. Loved later albums like "Juju Music" and "Synchro System", and this too is pure sunshine on a 12" plastic disc!
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
October 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Working my way through several batches of new vinyl. Currently on the TT is "Searching for My Love" by King Sunny Adé. Loved later albums like "Juju Music" and "Synchro System", and this too is pure sunshine on a 12" plastic disc!
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
open.spotify.com/album/4iUrn1...
#nowplayinhg #musicsky #vinylsky
Eno: "I'll come running to tie your shoes!"
The person he's singing to: "Seriously, Brian - don't. You're 77, and these aren't real shoelaces"
The person he's singing to: "Seriously, Brian - don't. You're 77, and these aren't real shoelaces"
October 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Eno: "I'll come running to tie your shoes!"
The person he's singing to: "Seriously, Brian - don't. You're 77, and these aren't real shoelaces"
The person he's singing to: "Seriously, Brian - don't. You're 77, and these aren't real shoelaces"
#nowplaying "In Flight" by George Benson. Besides "Gimme the Night" his work was very unfamiliar to me, and £3 for a used LP was a safe gamble. I'm liking it - funky AF, beautifully arranged, and I like his expressive and lyrical guitar playing. Don't think this will be my last GB album 😀
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
#nowplaying "In Flight" by George Benson. Besides "Gimme the Night" his work was very unfamiliar to me, and £3 for a used LP was a safe gamble. I'm liking it - funky AF, beautifully arranged, and I like his expressive and lyrical guitar playing. Don't think this will be my last GB album 😀
Album No. Thirty-something in the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
October 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Album No. Thirty-something in the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
Album: "A Change Is as Good as Arrest" by the Big Yin
Condition: Aye, it's pretty good an' that. No wee scratches.
Notes: Surprised Ron Mael didn't sue over A2. Definite "Sparks rip off" vibes coming from that one.
This is the wallpaper on my Brave browser home screen.
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
October 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This is the wallpaper on my Brave browser home screen.
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
I can't tell you what these buildings actually are, but something about me tells me this is the HQ of IKEA?
Album #25 of the Downgrade Challenge and the first from today's CrazyBeat haul
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
October 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Album #25 of the Downgrade Challenge and the first from today's CrazyBeat haul
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
Album: Brewing Up With @billybragg.bsky.social
Pressing: Go! Discs, UK 1984
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: The 95C performs well, rendering the record's visible battle scars shallow and superficial.
I addition to the Downgrade Challenge, I also wanted to see if I was wasting money on VG+/NM records if VG was more than adequate. So I bought a box full, no one record priced above a fiver. On inspection, a good clean and all should sound perfectly fine, only with a few forgivable clicks/ticks.
October 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I addition to the Downgrade Challenge, I also wanted to see if I was wasting money on VG+/NM records if VG was more than adequate. So I bought a box full, no one record priced above a fiver. On inspection, a good clean and all should sound perfectly fine, only with a few forgivable clicks/ticks.
Album #23 of the Downgrade Challenge (starting to skip a few now)
Album: The soundtrack to "Kin" by Mogwai
Pressing: Rock Action, 2018 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: It's Post-Rock - not Alan Parsons - so the 95C's limits probably add qualities that make it sound better.
Album: The soundtrack to "Kin" by Mogwai
Pressing: Rock Action, 2018 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: It's Post-Rock - not Alan Parsons - so the 95C's limits probably add qualities that make it sound better.
October 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Album #23 of the Downgrade Challenge (starting to skip a few now)
Album: The soundtrack to "Kin" by Mogwai
Pressing: Rock Action, 2018 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: It's Post-Rock - not Alan Parsons - so the 95C's limits probably add qualities that make it sound better.
Album: The soundtrack to "Kin" by Mogwai
Pressing: Rock Action, 2018 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: It's Post-Rock - not Alan Parsons - so the 95C's limits probably add qualities that make it sound better.
Album #20 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "We'll Bring the House Down" by Slade
Pressing: Cheapskate/RCA, 1981 UK
Condition: Bostin' vinyl!
Upgrade List: Ay gunna bovvah
Notes: No problem for the 95C but it was never the best sounding record anyway: very loud with little in the way of bass.
Album: "We'll Bring the House Down" by Slade
Pressing: Cheapskate/RCA, 1981 UK
Condition: Bostin' vinyl!
Upgrade List: Ay gunna bovvah
Notes: No problem for the 95C but it was never the best sounding record anyway: very loud with little in the way of bass.
October 10, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Album #20 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "We'll Bring the House Down" by Slade
Pressing: Cheapskate/RCA, 1981 UK
Condition: Bostin' vinyl!
Upgrade List: Ay gunna bovvah
Notes: No problem for the 95C but it was never the best sounding record anyway: very loud with little in the way of bass.
Album: "We'll Bring the House Down" by Slade
Pressing: Cheapskate/RCA, 1981 UK
Condition: Bostin' vinyl!
Upgrade List: Ay gunna bovvah
Notes: No problem for the 95C but it was never the best sounding record anyway: very loud with little in the way of bass.
Most thought it was Rick Wakeman - likely the only Prog KB player they know - but nobody guessed it was ol' Bony Tanks.
One suggested it might have been Keith Emerson, but (a) wrong side of the stage and (b) I have better photos of a'er Keith.
One suggested it might have been Keith Emerson, but (a) wrong side of the stage and (b) I have better photos of a'er Keith.
October 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Most thought it was Rick Wakeman - likely the only Prog KB player they know - but nobody guessed it was ol' Bony Tanks.
One suggested it might have been Keith Emerson, but (a) wrong side of the stage and (b) I have better photos of a'er Keith.
One suggested it might have been Keith Emerson, but (a) wrong side of the stage and (b) I have better photos of a'er Keith.
Same here. It's heavier than most Genesis albums, but that plays to Ray's strengths. I saw them on tour that year too at the NEC in Brum. Took a few photos on a disposable camera, most of them blurry. During COVID, posted a question on FB to see if anyone could identify who was in the picture.
October 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Same here. It's heavier than most Genesis albums, but that plays to Ray's strengths. I saw them on tour that year too at the NEC in Brum. Took a few photos on a disposable camera, most of them blurry. During COVID, posted a question on FB to see if anyone could identify who was in the picture.
I have the UK 12" single of "Keeping the Dream Alive" by Freiheit, which has all this Xmas imagery on the cover. Even heard it in Matalan between festive Slade and Shaky hits ⬇️
October 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I have the UK 12" single of "Keeping the Dream Alive" by Freiheit, which has all this Xmas imagery on the cover. Even heard it in Matalan between festive Slade and Shaky hits ⬇️
Album #13 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "Live at Brixton" by @psbhq.bsky.social
Pressing: Test Card, 2016 UK
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Cut a little quieter (typical of 180g pressings). No bass is sacrificed, and sounds consistent even on an entry-level stylus.
Album: "Live at Brixton" by @psbhq.bsky.social
Pressing: Test Card, 2016 UK
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Cut a little quieter (typical of 180g pressings). No bass is sacrificed, and sounds consistent even on an entry-level stylus.
October 8, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Album #13 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "Live at Brixton" by @psbhq.bsky.social
Pressing: Test Card, 2016 UK
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Cut a little quieter (typical of 180g pressings). No bass is sacrificed, and sounds consistent even on an entry-level stylus.
Album: "Live at Brixton" by @psbhq.bsky.social
Pressing: Test Card, 2016 UK
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Cut a little quieter (typical of 180g pressings). No bass is sacrificed, and sounds consistent even on an entry-level stylus.
I have one too - one in which the British countryside, which is being decimated in the name of a pointless white-elephant High Speed Rail project, is able to claim back what was stolen from it.
October 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I have one too - one in which the British countryside, which is being decimated in the name of a pointless white-elephant High Speed Rail project, is able to claim back what was stolen from it.
Album #12. Definitely the last one for today.
Album: "Playin' for Keeps" by Eddie Money
Pressing: CBS, 1980 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Might revisit this one in the morning. Sounds a bit muddy, but that may be fatigue or comparing to the BJH LP from earlier. No obvious flaws though.
Album: "Playin' for Keeps" by Eddie Money
Pressing: CBS, 1980 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Might revisit this one in the morning. Sounds a bit muddy, but that may be fatigue or comparing to the BJH LP from earlier. No obvious flaws though.
October 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Album #12. Definitely the last one for today.
Album: "Playin' for Keeps" by Eddie Money
Pressing: CBS, 1980 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Might revisit this one in the morning. Sounds a bit muddy, but that may be fatigue or comparing to the BJH LP from earlier. No obvious flaws though.
Album: "Playin' for Keeps" by Eddie Money
Pressing: CBS, 1980 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Might revisit this one in the morning. Sounds a bit muddy, but that may be fatigue or comparing to the BJH LP from earlier. No obvious flaws though.
Album #11, the first of (at most) two tonight. Office day.
Album: "Baby James Harvest" by BJH
Pressing: Fame/EMI Reissue, 1987 UK
Condition: Borderline NM
Upgrade List: No. Shop for a vintage copy instead
Notes: Harsh, bright master. Sibilance and splatty cymbals throughout, even on outer cuts.
Album: "Baby James Harvest" by BJH
Pressing: Fame/EMI Reissue, 1987 UK
Condition: Borderline NM
Upgrade List: No. Shop for a vintage copy instead
Notes: Harsh, bright master. Sibilance and splatty cymbals throughout, even on outer cuts.
October 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Album #11, the first of (at most) two tonight. Office day.
Album: "Baby James Harvest" by BJH
Pressing: Fame/EMI Reissue, 1987 UK
Condition: Borderline NM
Upgrade List: No. Shop for a vintage copy instead
Notes: Harsh, bright master. Sibilance and splatty cymbals throughout, even on outer cuts.
Album: "Baby James Harvest" by BJH
Pressing: Fame/EMI Reissue, 1987 UK
Condition: Borderline NM
Upgrade List: No. Shop for a vintage copy instead
Notes: Harsh, bright master. Sibilance and splatty cymbals throughout, even on outer cuts.
Album 10 of the challenge, and probably the last one tonight.
Album: "From the Witchwood" by Strawbs
Pressing: A&M, 1972 US
Condition: Strong VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Lovely warm bass and instrument separation; struggles with sibilants if the vocal is hard-panned, but not irritatingly so.
Album: "From the Witchwood" by Strawbs
Pressing: A&M, 1972 US
Condition: Strong VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Lovely warm bass and instrument separation; struggles with sibilants if the vocal is hard-panned, but not irritatingly so.
October 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Album 10 of the challenge, and probably the last one tonight.
Album: "From the Witchwood" by Strawbs
Pressing: A&M, 1972 US
Condition: Strong VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Lovely warm bass and instrument separation; struggles with sibilants if the vocal is hard-panned, but not irritatingly so.
Album: "From the Witchwood" by Strawbs
Pressing: A&M, 1972 US
Condition: Strong VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Lovely warm bass and instrument separation; struggles with sibilants if the vocal is hard-panned, but not irritatingly so.
Album #9 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "World Machine" by Level 42
Pressing: Polydor, 1985 UK
Condition: Deceptive VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Visibly scuffed and scratched, but plays really cleanly with all the dynamics expected of a L42 LP.
Album: "World Machine" by Level 42
Pressing: Polydor, 1985 UK
Condition: Deceptive VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Visibly scuffed and scratched, but plays really cleanly with all the dynamics expected of a L42 LP.
October 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Album #9 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: "World Machine" by Level 42
Pressing: Polydor, 1985 UK
Condition: Deceptive VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Visibly scuffed and scratched, but plays really cleanly with all the dynamics expected of a L42 LP.
Album: "World Machine" by Level 42
Pressing: Polydor, 1985 UK
Condition: Deceptive VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Visibly scuffed and scratched, but plays really cleanly with all the dynamics expected of a L42 LP.
Album #8 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: Moroder's "Metropolis" s/track
Pressing: CBS, 1984 UK
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: This one always sounded fine, even on lesser TTs with the AT3600L fitted. Having the instrumental tracks at the end of each side helps.
Album: Moroder's "Metropolis" s/track
Pressing: CBS, 1984 UK
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: This one always sounded fine, even on lesser TTs with the AT3600L fitted. Having the instrumental tracks at the end of each side helps.
October 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Album #8 of the Downgrade Challenge
Album: Moroder's "Metropolis" s/track
Pressing: CBS, 1984 UK
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: This one always sounded fine, even on lesser TTs with the AT3600L fitted. Having the instrumental tracks at the end of each side helps.
Album: Moroder's "Metropolis" s/track
Pressing: CBS, 1984 UK
Condition: Strong VG
Upgrade List: No
Notes: This one always sounded fine, even on lesser TTs with the AT3600L fitted. Having the instrumental tracks at the end of each side helps.
Album #7 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "From This Place" by Pat Metheny
Pressing: Nonesuch, 2020 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: No issues at all. Sounded enjoyable throughout.
Album: "From This Place" by Pat Metheny
Pressing: Nonesuch, 2020 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: No issues at all. Sounded enjoyable throughout.
October 6, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Album #7 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "From This Place" by Pat Metheny
Pressing: Nonesuch, 2020 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: No issues at all. Sounded enjoyable throughout.
Album: "From This Place" by Pat Metheny
Pressing: Nonesuch, 2020 XE
Condition: NM (bought new)
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: No issues at all. Sounded enjoyable throughout.
Album #6 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "Video Flashback" by Eberhard Schoener
Pressing: Harvest, 1979 UK
Condition: VG
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: A fair amount of sibilance on "Code Word Elvis" with Sting's vocal sounding out of phase with the rest. Otherwise, sounds perfectly fine.
Album: "Video Flashback" by Eberhard Schoener
Pressing: Harvest, 1979 UK
Condition: VG
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: A fair amount of sibilance on "Code Word Elvis" with Sting's vocal sounding out of phase with the rest. Otherwise, sounds perfectly fine.
October 6, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Album #6 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "Video Flashback" by Eberhard Schoener
Pressing: Harvest, 1979 UK
Condition: VG
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: A fair amount of sibilance on "Code Word Elvis" with Sting's vocal sounding out of phase with the rest. Otherwise, sounds perfectly fine.
Album: "Video Flashback" by Eberhard Schoener
Pressing: Harvest, 1979 UK
Condition: VG
Upgrade List?: No
Notes: A fair amount of sibilance on "Code Word Elvis" with Sting's vocal sounding out of phase with the rest. Otherwise, sounds perfectly fine.
Album #5 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "The Visitors" by ABBA
Pressing: Epic, 1982 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Expected much worse with it being early digital, female vocal but mastered very well. Sounded consistent, even on "Soldiers", the end of Side 1 cut with lots of 'S' sounds
Album: "The Visitors" by ABBA
Pressing: Epic, 1982 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Expected much worse with it being early digital, female vocal but mastered very well. Sounded consistent, even on "Soldiers", the end of Side 1 cut with lots of 'S' sounds
October 6, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Album #5 of my Downgrade Challenge
Album: "The Visitors" by ABBA
Pressing: Epic, 1982 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Expected much worse with it being early digital, female vocal but mastered very well. Sounded consistent, even on "Soldiers", the end of Side 1 cut with lots of 'S' sounds
Album: "The Visitors" by ABBA
Pressing: Epic, 1982 UK
Condition: VG+
Upgrade List: No
Notes: Expected much worse with it being early digital, female vocal but mastered very well. Sounded consistent, even on "Soldiers", the end of Side 1 cut with lots of 'S' sounds