Enoch Light: Big Band Bossa Nova: The New Beat From Brazil (1962) Command Records RS33-844 MONO Vinyl Transfer

The legendary audiophile, record producer and band leader Enoch Light released this Bossa Nova-influenced big band record on his very own Command Records in 1962. Light had built a reputation as one of the first true audiophiles in the era of recorded music by going to extreme lengths to achieve what he would later call "total sound", an attempt to replicate the experience of actually listening to music live in person. He used cutting edge studio technology and top of the line microphones, and was one of the first producers to explore the possibilities, and limitations, of stereo sound.

This album found Light, who was in his 50s at this point in his life, dabbling in Bossa Nova, while still keeping true to his Big-Band roots at the same time. The result is a fun, bold and brassy record, perfect for hot summer evening drives. The songs, a mix of traditional Brazilian jazz tunes and Light originals, are performed superbly by Command Record's staff musicians, the Command All-Stars. The blasting trumpets are crystal clear along side the thick sax lines and the crisp guitar playing of Tony Mattola. The rhythm section stands out in particular though, with the All-Stars using all the slappy, echoey percussive tools they could get their hands on.

The sound quality of the recordings is obviously fantastic. But the mix of this record I'm presenting here is the rare mono edition of record, which was printed in smaller numbers than the stereo mix due to Light's desire to show off his proficiency at mixing sound in the newly developed stereo format. And while Light was certainly a pioneer in the field of stereo recording, he often mixed things so hard left and right that it makes for a sometimes clumsy listening experience, especially on headphones. This mix proves Enoch's productions sounded just as fantastic in a mono mix as it did in stereo. The thing that stands out the most to me about the mono mix, this sucker is one LOUD record. But despite the volume, the clarity remains intact, a very impressive feat, especially for the era in which this was recorded. A very satisfying, and fun, listen. Highly recommended for fans of the Exotica and Space Age Pop music genre's.

Ripped by EAC's .WAV editor and converted in to 320vbr .mp3 with dbpoweramp using LAME 3.97.
Enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?xxxdo909x34gdwh

-Casey

Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass: Whipped Cream & Other Delights (1965) MONO MIX Original A&M Records Vinyl Transfer

The definitive Easy Listening album, this record swept the nation in 1965 with it's provocative cover art and breezy, brassy pop songs. This album also transitioned Alpert away from the faux mariachi sound he had developed with the early Brass, and more toward an LA studio-pop sound that Herb's label, A&M, would soon be so known for. The songs here are as lightweight, and as fun, as they come. Alpert's punchy trumpet is responsible for carrying most of the songs summery, Latin-esque melodies and the rhythm section does an excellent job of adding just the right amount of swing to the proceedings. Highlights are the sweeping samba numbers "A Taste of Honey" and "Bittersweet Samba", and the haunting "Tangerine" with it's laid back groove and Spector-like percussion. But it's the drop-dead gorgeous "Ladyfingers" that steals the show here, with it's sorrowful, lilting melody, delicate vibraphone playing and ghostly strings. The most stunningly beautiful song the Brass ever did.

This mix I'm presenting here is the original mono mix which has been out of print for over forty years. I found a decent copy at my local record store recently and wanted to share this now rare mix of this classic record. There are some noisy spots, but overall it's a nice way to hear the mono version. For the audiophiles out there, if this record is too noisy, I would recommend checking out your local record or thrift store for a copy of it, it sold in the millions back in the 60s and is easy to find in the bargain bins.

Ripped from vinyl to .mp3 @ 320vbr (this one is mono so LAME ended up encoding it around 200kb/s in actuality) using EAC's .WAV editor and LAME 3.97. Enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?y4voszvcf3ahp0e

-Casey

Burt Bacharach: Reach Out (1967) Original A&M Records Vinyl Transfer

Burt Bacharach's first album for A&M was Reach Out released in 1967, it mostly contains jazzy, orchestral instrumental arrangements of songs that he had written prior to releasing this record for other artists or for film soundtracks and plays. Don't let the Easy Listening tag fool you, this album is full of sophisticated and exquisite moments, lots of time changes, different movements within songs and gorgeously clear production. The soulful opening number "Reach Out For Me" is an immediate highlight, a blast of orchestral pop amid the serene and jazzy chord changes, with a fantastic instrumental blend including clarinet, piano, strings, trumpets, harpsichord, booming drums and the sultry "Bacharach Singers" (who sound like a more adult version of the Ronnettes). The record's best moments are in a similar vein, "Bond Street" turns from a bouncy jazz tune to a string laden, symphonic jewel in a matter of minutes. The arrangement of Bacharach's most famous song "What The World Needs Now Is Love" is absolutely brilliant. The unmistakable piano chords ring out loud and clear among Bacharach's orchestral and horn arrangements as the song suddenly takes a turn in to a be-bop styled jazz number mid-way through, only to return to the crashing and thunderous chorus with a Spector-esque touch.

This record is very different from the other material I've posted here. It's probably the music farthest removed from rock 'n' roll I've shared on the blog, and it's probably the most "adult oriented" music as well, as this music was not intended for the teen audience, or even the young adult audience. Some may find it bland, but it's anything but, Bacharach's arrangements are truly remarkable and always interesting. This copy is ripped from an original A&M Records vinyl pressing @ 320vbr using EAC's .WAV editor and LAME 3.97. No EQing, no pop removal, just a flat transfer. Enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?3qodb2f8d154bai

-Casey