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Here you'll find my monthly reviews of albums from a few years ago titled "Spin Back," information on free sample libraries and plugins, and much more.

Spin Back - August 26

07/15/2026

Absolute Benson — George Benson (2000) By 2000, George Benson was already a legend with decades of career behind him — from his instrumental jazz beginnings to the pop breakthrough of "This Masquerade" — and with Absolute Benson he shows he can still reinvent himself without losing his identity. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, GRP's longtime helmsman, the album revisits the smooth jazz atmospheres that made him famous with "Breezin'," while adding a Latin touch that clearly reflected the influence of Carlos Santana, who was riding a major resurgence at the time. The record is mostly instrumental — only three tracks feature vocals — leaving plenty of room for the musicians backing Benson: Joe Sample on piano, Christian McBride on bass, Steve Gadd on drums. "El Barrio" is perhaps the standout moment, a full immersion into Latin territory with Benson's guitar trading lines with the percussion; "Jazzenco," on the other hand, shows off his more purely jazz side, with a lyrical guitar tone that reminds you why Benson is considered one of the greats. It's not the album that redefined his career, but it's one of those "honest" records: Benson doing what he does best, with the confidence of someone who has nothing left to prove. Listen to the album: Absolute Benson on Spotify Absolute Benson on Youtube

Spin Back - July 26

07/10/2026

Maverick a Strike — Finley Quaye (1997) When Finley Quaye released his debut in the summer of '97, the UK was still deep in its Britpop hangover, but he came from a different direction entirely, bringing reggae, soul, and a rhythmic sense that seemed to breathe more than play. Maverick a Strike takes its time: it opens with "Sunday Shining," a sun-drenched anthem that alone would explain why this album lodged itself in the collective memory of anyone who heard it that summer. What still stands out today is how naturally Quaye blends genres without ever feeling like a stylistic exercise — the album went double platinum in the UK and spawned five successful singles, but behind the numbers is above all a record that sounds honest, almost improvised, as if it were born from a session among friends rather than a label's master plan. It's not a flawless record, and it doesn't need to be: it's one of those albums you love for how it makes you feel, not for how technically airtight it is. If you haven't discovered it yet, now's the time. Listen to the album: Maverick a Strike on Spotify Maverick a Strike on Youtube

Glade by Audio Imperia

07/10/2026

New month new free library. This month a massive collection of sounds by Audio Imperia that combine traditional orchestral and world instruments with a modern workflow. Enjoy! https://www.audioimperia.com/product/glade/

Roots by Westwood Instruments

06/11/2026

This time it is not just one library for free, but a whole collection of 4 Westwood Instruments experimental libraries that run into Kontakt Player and probably more libraries will likely be added to those, so stay tuned. Enjoy! https://www.westwoodinstruments.com/roots

Metagrid Pro speeds you up

05/18/2026

I've been using this app on my iPad for a couple of years now and I have to say it's become really indispensable in my productions. Even though I don't use it fully considering all the possible applications, it speeds up the work so much and I don't have to repeat command after command every time during my production process. Sure, you have to figure out how to set it up and set up the first commands for a moment, but after that everything becomes simpler and faster. Its strength lies precisely in the customization of its actions by creating ad hoc Macros for each action, whether they are related to the commands of the SO or other programs. Its true potential, however, is unlocked when used in combination with a DAW such as Logic Pro, Cubase, Reaper, Ableton Live or Studio One, thus customizing both routine operations and actions involving the use of faders, XY glides and so on. The version I considered is free and ready to work on with all editable commands. Obviously the paid versions offer further possibilities but already in this way it is possible to do a lot with little; it is a matter of saying, because first of all it must be edited and at first, it wasn't easy for me to figure out how to orient myself, but the network is always full of resources and so you just have to know where to look for what. https://metagrid.app/

The deer, the fox and the guitar by Wavelet Audio

05/16/2026

Special new free library, this time for Kontakt Player. It is incredible to find such a good material on internet for free so dont'miss it. Enjoy! https://wavelet-audio.com/deer-fox-guitar/

Spin Back - May 26

05/16/2026

Kamakiriad — Donald Fagen (1993) Eleven years after his solo masterpiece The Nightfly , Donald Fagen returned with an album as elegant as it was conceptually eccentric: a concept record following a narrator driving his Kamakiri, a futuristic, steam-powered car complete with an onboard hydroponic garden. Described like that, it sounds absurd — but listening to the album, produced by Walter Becker, Fagen's longtime Steely Dan partner, who also plays bass and electric guitar here, it all comes together with an almost cinematic sense of purpose. The sound is that unmistakable sophisticated jazz-pop that Fagen made his signature: smooth grooves, impeccable horn arrangements, and a production so polished it already sounded, even in the '90s, like a memory of elegance from another era. Tracks like "Springtime" and "Snowbound" (the latter co-written with Becker) remain among the finest moments of his solo output, while "Trans-Island Skyway" opens the record by dropping you straight into the journey. It's not an album for everyone, and it's not the most immediate listen either — some find it cold, almost clinical. But for those willing to be led by the concept and the atmosphere, Kamakiriad is a journey worth taking more than once. Listen to the album: Kamakiriad on Spotify Kamakiriad on Youtube

Synthetic Shadows by 8Dio

05/11/2026

Since a few week 8Dio gives a free copy of this incredible library to use give to your music much more depth and shape. I don't know if this is a time limited offer but I think it's better to catch the offer before it's too late. NB. It works only on Kontakt full ed. Enjoy! https://8dio.com/products/synthetic-shadows?variant=41310000644296