Spin Till Sunrise: Four Records for the New Bang & Olufsen Beosystem
Since the early 1970s, Danish audio company Bang & Olufsen — and, in particular, the luxurious, state-of-the-art music systems built by the brand — have earned global reputations as some of best-sounding in the business. And there’s no better example of these innovations than its latest limited edition sound system, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn, which was inspired by Scandinavian sunrises and lets listeners play their favourite tracks, both digitally and on vinyl.
The set-up is punctuated with warm honey, ginger, and amber- toned aluminium finishes, and has at its heart a carefully crafted birch panel. On this sits Bang & Olufsen’s ‘70s Beogram 4000c turntable, an archive design brought back to life at the brand’s factory in Struer, Denmark. The turntable is flanked by a pair of matching, ultra-modern Beolab 28 stereo speakers, each trimmed in the same warm tones by leading Danish textile experts Kvadrat. And, thanks to built-in Beosound Core and Beolab Transmitter units, wireless connectivity is ensured. A customised Beoremote Halo also allows listeners complete control of the system.
“The Beosystem 72-23 is a testament to Bang & Olufsen’s dedication to extending the longevity of products in the consumer electronics industry,” says Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, head of product circularity at Bang & Olufsen. “As part of the Recreated Classics Initiative, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn Limited Edition symbolizes a new beginning for a future where audio products are designed to last, where luxury is expert craftsmanship that expands beyond the first life cycle, and where connectivity can be timeless.”
Only 100 of these limited edition systems will be built, each engraved with a unique identification number. And while it costs $65,000 USD, the solid birch cabinet upon which the turntable sits is a beautiful piece of finely crafted furniture in and of itself, large enough to hold a modest, discerningly chosen vinyl collection. To help you decide which records should make your cut, we’ve selected four new releases worth spinning, from maximalist pop and art-rock to live recordings from legendary performers. Have a listen.
100 gecs: 10,000 gecs
If fans feared that making the major label jump was going to water down the eccentricities that make this pair cult favourites, 10,000 gecs dispels those worries in 26 frenetic minutes, leapfrogging from anthemic pop-punk to Woodstock ‘99-era nu-metal to ska ditties. ($41, store.100gecs.com)
Janelle Monáe: The Age of Pleasure
Drawing on Afrobeat, reggae, and soul influences, Monáe’s The Age of Pleasure offers the perfect soundtrack for late summer, adults-only pool parties and steamy nights, and features cameos from musical legends (Grace Jones, Sister Nancy) and talented newcomers (Doechii, Amaraae). ($32.99, store.warnermusic.ca)
John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy: Evenings at the Village Gate
Originally recorded at the famed New York City club in 1961, this 90-minute double album features spellbinding renditions of Coltrane favourites such as “My Favourite Things” and “Impressions,” and spotlights Dolphy’s hypnotic bass clarinet on “When Lights Are Low.” ($49.98 USD, johncoltrane.shop. musictoday.com)
Yves Tumor: Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
Equal parts alt-rock, shoegaze, and R&B, this album’s dozen tracks sometimes smoulder but also cathartically scream to the heavens, with Tumor enlisting the help of producer Noah Goldstein (who has worked with Kanye West, Rosalía, and Frank Ocean). ($27 USD, yves-tumor.warp.net)
