Mr. Cowie pays attention to the quality of pressings, and allows in the bar’s collection only reissues transferred from original analog-tape masters, as opposed to vinyl records made from digital masters, which are essentially CDs on vinyl. (I asked, as one would ask a park ranger on top of a significant mountain.) But you don’t have to know any of that, really, and Mr. Cowie or Dane or whoever else won’t tell you unless you ask . Vinyl records these days amount to one of two extremes: either dusty, embarrassing garbage or advanced-level consumables. If a record isn’t something so valueless you can’t give it away, it’s the signifier of taste and an ambitious, highly tailored social life.

Source: New York Times June 03, 2019 21:33 UTC