{"title":"Ken Micallef","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKen Micallef\u003c\/strong\u003e explores the rich textures of arts and culture with a distinctive focus on music and everyday aesthetic pleasures. His works like \u003cem\u003eIn the Groove\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Vinyl\u003c\/em\u003e delve into the tactile and auditory joys that shape our experiences and memories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect a thoughtful celebration of creative expression, where the nuances of sound and design come vividly to life. Micallef's writing invites a deeper appreciation of cultural details that often go unnoticed but profoundly resonate with aficionados and casual admirers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"in-the-groove-by-matt-anniss-9780760383315","title":"In the Groove","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCelebrate the 75th anniversary of the first commercial LP with this authoritative, highly illustrated, and multi-faceted look at the history and culture of vinyl record collecting and turntables. Vinyl records continue to be hot commodities among everyone from obsessive audiophiles to newbie collectors getting their toes wet. \u003ci\u003eIn the Groove: The Vinyl Record and Turntable Revolution\u003c\/i\u003e is the book for both—and everyone in between.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished to mark the 75th year since the introduction of the commercial LP, \u003ci\u003eIn the Groove\u003c\/i\u003e is written by a roster of well-known music journalists, vinyl junkies, and stereophiles teaming up to present a gorgeous tribute to the vinyl LP and the culture it has spawned: Richie Unterberger explores the history of the 33 1\/3 LP, including its predecessor, the 78rpm record, the first commercial LPs, the pressing process, stereo vs. mono, and formats like the 7-inch\/45rpm record. Gillian Gaar tackles those temples to the turntable: record stores. Inside, she examines the history of LP merchandising everywhere from department stores to headshops, Record Store Day, the artist in-store appearance, and swap meets and record shows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMartin Popoff pens a paean to the physical object itself, discussing the advent of the sleeve, the great LP covers, famous sleeve designers, liner notes and packaging, coloured vinyl, and more. Matt Anniss looks at the collecting hobby and topics like obsessive collectors, what makes a great listening space, playing and caring for vinyl, collecting and vinyl in DJ and hip-hop cultures, and the mixtape phenomenon. Ken Micallef, a top hifi journalist, has the gearheads covered with explanations of turntables from portables to audiophile-quality units, the workings and parts of a turntable from motors and tonearms to plinths and cartridges, and the components of a system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn the Groove\u003c\/i\u003e is illustrated throughout with images of gear, listening spaces, record stores, sleeve art, and celebrities and musicians enjoying the vinyl hobby through the decades. Brief, entertaining sidebars cover topics like famous labels from Stax to Sub Pop, famous EPs, well-known record stores, milestone LP covers, a beginner's guide to grading, and formats that have challenged the supremacy of the LP, including 8-track, reel-to-reel, and cassette. Feel the groove with this effervescent ode to vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47078800359660,"sku":"9780760383315","price":79.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8dd8f4bcac41e5cedf689db995bc8498.jpg?v=1765236654"},{"product_id":"small-luxuries-vinyl-by-ken-micallef-9798317900878","title":"Small Luxuries: Vinyl","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Vinyl\u003c\/em\u003e is the perfect guide and gift book for both aspiring and veteran vinyl record and turntable enthusiasts. Alongside images showcasing the most popular vintage and collectible turntables among today's growing ranks of enthusiasts, knowledgeable longtime stereo and music journalist Ken Micallef walks you through the history of turntables and vinyl records, as well as notable manufacturers and models, explanations of how turntables work together with amplifiers and speakers, advice for collecting both hi-fi gear and vinyl records, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes insights into many aspects of the growing vinyl hobby, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e - Beginning with the Victrola and continuing through today's precision turntables, Micallef highlights key points in the evolution of the turntable, its basic workings, and proper setup and maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistoric Brands and Models\u003c\/strong\u003e - From classic makes like Dual, Thorens, Linn, and Technics to modern favourites from names like U-Turn, Pro-Ject, and Rega, the book features an array of storied manufacturers and models past and present, including details of their origins and features, and addresses the eternal vintage vs. modern debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollecting Vinyl\u003c\/strong\u003e - When it comes to collecting records themselves, there is plenty to take into consideration, and Micallef brings his hard-earned knowledge to bear on everything from the most collectible albums to understanding grading systems and pressings, and caring for and enjoying your growing collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDriven in part by a desire for a more intimate connection to the music we enjoy, and in part by a return to more tactile experiences in an increasingly digital world, vinyl records continue to be a profitable segment of the recorded music business and a popular hobby among audiophiles and music lovers. \u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Vinyl\u003c\/em\u003e is the ideal companion for these enthusiasts, whether they are just getting into the vinyl hobby or are more seasoned collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates the artistry of the everyday objects that shape our style and stories. Each volume explores the craft, culture, and character behind these beloved obsessions, revealing how they evolve into lifelong passions. Richly illustrated and insightfully written, the series is a tribute to the makers, materials, and memories that turn familiar belongings into extraordinary icons of personal expression and style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlso available from the series: \u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Watches\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Film Cameras\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eSmall Luxuries: Sneakers\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48318027104492,"sku":"9798317900878","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9798317900878-small-luxuries-vinyl-1.jpg?v=1788751714"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/ken-micallef.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}