Clair Marlo Let It Go Master Quality Reel To Reel Tape (2 Reels)

TAS Rated 4.5/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics in the October 2023 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

This item not eligible for any further discount offers!

One of Sheffield Labs' most beloved and highly sought-after albums has been given the definitive reissue by Hyper Analogue and Brilliance Music.

Like many of Sheffield Labs' most revered recordings, Let It Go was recorded direct-to-two-track analog by the immortal engineer Bill Schnee. The Sheffield team assembled an incredible cadre of studio pros (including Jeff, Joe and Steve Porcaro, Randy Kerber, Luis Conté, Dean Parks, Abe Laboriel, and many more) to deliver the polish of a big-budget pop production while maximizing precious time in the studio. Considering the dense collage of sound created with large-group background vocals, layers of guitars, keyboards, and percussion, all mixed with perfect levels and a deeply focused soundstage, the achievement borders on heroic. Holding it all down is Marlo's ethereal and lush vocals. Equally coy and earnest in her delivery, she wraps her heart around each song, from originals "'Til They Take My Heart Away," "Lonely Nights," and "Where You Are," to gorgeous covers of "It's Just the Motion" and "I Believe (When I Fall in Love, It Will Be Forever)."

Mastered from the original direct-to-two-track recording master tapes by Bernie Grundman, Let It Go is available as a limited edition, hand-numbered 45rpm One-Step double album; a 15-ips 1/4" Analogue Master Reel set; and a Gold Master CD. All three of the new Hyper Analogue releases includes three tracks that have only been released once (on the collect-ably rare 2003 SACD by Cisco Music).

Despite only being issued a few times since its 1989 release, Let It Go has become an audiophile staple, cherished around the world for its beautiful musicianship captured in awe-inspiring fidelity. Brilliance Music and Hyper Analogue are proud to present the definitive versions of this pop music classic!

This master tape transfer breathes new life into an older recording session. The overall sound of the 13 tracks (ten original plus three bonus) is spectacular for this all-analog recording dating back to the late 80s. What Marlo fans get with this tape is a revived listen to beloved tracks like 'Without Me' or ''Til They Take My Heart Away' with more lucidity and insight into each composition's intricate musicianship of both singer and supporting cast. No other release of this album will bring the listener closer to the original direct-to-two-track master than this tape. The resulting sonics and illustrations of music are beyond any version of this album heard to date.

Let It Go has all the earmarks of that Sheffield direct-to-disc sound, save it's a live-to-two track recording done by then soon to be double Grammy award winning engineer Bill Schnee (he of course engineered many of the great Sheffield direct-to-disc recordings). New York City born Marlo is backed on Let It Go by the likes of Jeff (of Toto fame and one of the most recorded artists in rock history) and father Joe Porcaro, LeLand Sklar and Dean Parks among others. Marlo's 1989 debut album Let It Go gave rise to two hits including 'Til They Take My Heart Away' and 'Without Me' from among the several Porcaro and Marlo written and arranged songs. Another great track on this tape is Marlo's rendition of that classic Stevie Wonder tune 'I Believe When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever.' A great addition to the catalog of a relatively new label.