Linn Records
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Linn Records is a Glasgow-based record label which specialises in classical, jazz and Scottish music. It is part of Linn Products, and was set up to produce recordings of high enough quality to match Linn's high-end hi-fi equipment.
While Linn engineers were testing their flagship product, the Sondek LP12 turntable, they became frustrated with the poor quality of some of the specialist test LPs they were using. The measurements were swamped by record imperfections. Better test discs were needed so work began on an LP cutting lathe as a research product to improve testing for the LP12.
The first albums to be cut and subsequently released were Carol Kidd's debut album and A Walk Across the Rooftops by the Blue Nile. Thus Linn Records was born...
Today the label is one of the world's leading audiophile labels specialising in classical, jazz and Celtic music. Release formats include CD, SACD, HDCD, Vinyl and now as high quality Downloads.
Current artists include Claire Martin, Barb Jungr and Carol Kidd. The Blue Nile released their first two albums on Linn, which was in fact originally created to sign them to a record deal, as well as Hue and Cry.
Together with HDCD and SACD recording expertise, Linn is able to control, monitor and compare every stage in the sound reproduction process, from artist performance to listener.
More recently Linn Records have added Studio Master downloads to their website, allowing listeners to hear 24-bit music as it was originally intended in the studio. These files are available in FLAC format (some better than CD quality), as well as Windows Media Audio and MP3. The music does not include DRM technology.
The label was set up by classical music producer and engineer, Philip Hobbs in 1982. It is currently managed by Caroline Dooley.
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[edit] Milestones
1980 - The first LP cutting lathe was built as a research product to improve the LP12
1982 - The Start of Linn Selekt - a selection of titles pressed by Linn
1982 - Rene - Reaching for the Sky was the first title to be released on the first Linn label - ALOI Records (A Label Of Integrity)
1983 - Carol Kidd's first album and some demo tracks for a band called The Blue Nile were given to Linn to practise cutting albums
1984 - Linn Records release the first Blue Nile album - A Walk Across the Rooftops
1989 - Blue Nile - Hats is released. Subsequently signed to Virgin Records
1990 - The first Linn CDs are pressed
1992 - A worldwide distribution network is established for the Linn classical and jazz catalogue
1996 - The first release of the Complete Songs of Robert Burns series
1997 - Introduction of HDCD
2000 - "Johnny and Mary" by Martin Taylor used on the Renault Clio Nicole / Papa adverts
2001 - Re-launch of http://www.linnrecords.com/ as a main point for customers to buy and collect Linn CDs
2001 - Development and introduction of SACD format
2002 - Completion of the Complete Songs of Robert Burns - 368 songs over 13 CDs
2005 - Linn Records re-introduce vinyl to the catalogue - 180g
2006 - Linn Records catalogue boasts 250 CD titles and 55 SACD titles
2007 - The world's first label to introduce Studio Master Downloads
[edit] Awards and Recognition
Awards for Classical albums and artists:
2007 Classic FM Gramophone Award in the Baroque Vocal category for the Dunedin's Consort's Handel Messiah (Linn CKD 285).
Santiago de Murcia - La Guitarra Espanola (Linn CKD 288) performed by guitarist William Carter was Gramophone Editor's Choice.
Multichannel Record of the Year (Soundstage!) for Benjamin Britten "Les Illuminations" (Linn CKD 226) with the Scottish Ensemble.
"Handel Operatic Arias" (Linn CKD 252) by Emma Bell was Gramophone Editor's Choice, Opera Disc of the Month in BBC Music Magazine, CD of the week - Sunday Telegraph, and 5 star reviews in Classic FM magazine, The Independent, The Herald and Audiophile.no
"Fiddler Tam" (Linn CKD 240) by Concerto Caledonia was awarded a prestigious Diapason Decouverte award
"Erlebach VI Sonate" (Linn CKD 270) by Rodolfo Richter was awarded five stars by The Sunday Herald. Entirely enchanting
"Geminiani Cello Sonatas" (Linn 251) by Alison McGillivray was awarded five stars by The Herald. An absolute gem
"Prokofiev Violin Concerto" (Linn CKD 219) by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra/ Swensen was awarded five stars by The Scotsman. A spectacular new disc
"Reminiscences" (Linn CKD 248) by Artur Pizarro was awarded five stars by The Glasgow Herald. Some of the finest Chopin playing on record.
"Shostakovich Symphony No 11" (Linn CKD 247) by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Lazarev was awarded five stars by the Daily Express. Thrilling and powerful
"Oh Fair To See" (Linn CKD 253) by James Gilchrist was named a ‘Benchmark Recording' and awarded five stars for both performance and sound by BBC Music Magazine. Compelling from the first note
"Dvorak Violin Concerto" (Linn CKD 241) by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra/ Swensen - 8 for Artistic Quality and 10 for Sound Quality - ClassicsToday.com. Linn's sonics are superb
"Lizst Sonata and Etudes" (Linn CKD 282) by George-Emmanuel Lazaridis was named 'Instrumental Disc of the Month' by BBC Music Magazine and awarded five stars by Classic FM Magazine who called it a Liszt release made in heaven.
"Tallis: Spem in alium" (Linn CKD 233) by Magnificat was Gramophone Editor's Choice and was awarded five stars by Audiophile Audition. An outstanding performance of Thomas Tallis's Spem in alium Gramophone.
"Dangerous Graces" (Linn CKD 169) by Musica Secreta was awarded a "Diapason Decouverte", given to recordings of historical significance
The Palladian Ensemble are five times winners of the prestigious Diapason d'Or Award, winning in 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999 and 2000. One of the best chamber ensembles currently in business The Gramophone.
