Here's the link
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01290cv

Like most of you know, Abel did an acoustic session of 6 songs from his mixtapes. youtube.com/watch?v=w4zPztjVPJY&t=1s

Ever since first listen, I loved the acoustic rendition of Valerie, I love it more than the original, and after having only a minimum quality 128kbps file for years, https://i.ibb.co/X8MKHdf/06-Valerie-Acoustic.jpg I've been searching the web, anything from fan forums, be it english or russian (shout out to them, they usually have the rarities/goods), but I didn't find anything except from the full name of the studio / session, and a link at BBC's site.

But it always said "not available".

Of course, I thought, the session was from 2012, and I'm 5-6 years late, they probably have deleted it from the site.

Today after being reminded of the acoustic sessions, from another thread, I thought to myself "let's give it another try"

The interesting thing is this. When you click to the link above, and press play, it says "Available for over a year".

I can assure you, the last time I checked, I don't remember exactly when, but it was before the AH era, and it wasn't available.

Apparently they quietly uploaded it after his massive success with Blinding Lights. What a random gesture by them.

I was hoping to try some methods that a hacker would consider "pro gamer move" (aka press play, and inspect element 😢)... But I couldn't understand s***, some segmented files reading "AUDIO_128kbps_AAC-LC_441KHz"

PS. there's another session with the two remaining tracks out of the six. But it's unavailable to play.
bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016ybhn

PPS. I liked a remark Zane mentioned during the session "how can a 22 year old put this emotion in his songs"
Indeed, there is a reason why the mixtapes retain their replay value years later 😄
The energy behind it was real

Rock version of The Zone

I have previously attempted to do the same, while it was unavailable. It's nice being able to obtain / retain original audio / video files of perfomances. Since the programme is available, I am able to download it. Unfortunately, this is the best audio I am able to download

bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01290cv
I do not have that particular fan album on this computer, so I am unable to compare Wicked Games

So I believe it is a true 128 kbps, I am unsure if it is due to it being a program p link, as opposed to an m link. For example, here is Coldplay's Live Lounge

bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0010yyv
I am unable to further test the theory, as I have attempted to play / download this, to compare the difference in audio, as I do not have a VPN currently.
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09ybln4/radio-1s-live-lounge-coldplay-live-lounge-special
I do not know whether it being an older program that it is a reupload or they have improved their compression system. I do not have previous older programs to compare to at the moment. I am aware that OVO Sound Radio compresses at 64 kbps. I've gotten lazier and don't really remember

So cool! Thank you for your findings and explanation! 🍻

v/fcf0b4

on debree