Enoch Light Presents: Patterns In Sound Volumes 1 & 2 (1966, 1967); Original Project 3 LP Transfers

As I've been on a massive Enoch Light kick recently, I decided to post a special two-fer of Light LPs. 1966 found Enoch Light heading a new label, Project 3, after his Command Records label had been bought and sold by ABC-Paramount in '65 or early '66 (I believe). As discussed in previous posts, Light had recently began experimenting with the use of master recording his records on 35mm film rather than tape to achieve maximum sound quality, or as Light called it, "total sound". He had released an LP of film themes and scores as early as 1962 that were mastered on 35mm film. He continued his experiment on Project 3, by producing a slew of records featuring his usual line up of "All-Star" session musicians and orchestral accompaniment, one of the most prolific periods of Lights recording career. By end of year 1966, Light had enough material released on his still brand new label that he began to compile what he considered to be the label's best material, and the best examples of "total sound". The result was Patterns In Sound: An Emotional Experience In Musical Communication, a series of compilations that would eventually reach nine volumes in total. Presented here are the first two, which were probably the most commercially successful of the series, although they did not chart.

The music here is typical Enoch Light, cinematic, bold, swinging and sweeping, as the first track on Volume 1 sets the stage for whats to come perfectly with a rousing take on "April In Portugal", with propulsive strings and and crisp, clear bongo rolls. The sound quality, as expected, is fantastic throughout both volumes, Enoch Light fans will certainly enjoy these records. Note: I removed two tracks (5 and 6) from Volume 1 by the Kissin' Cousins because they are already included on my earlier post here: http://caseysway.blogspot.com/2012/05/enoch-light-presents-kissin-cousins.html

These LPs were flat transferred to .mp3 @ 320vbr by using EAC's .WAV editor and compressed with dbpoweramp using LAME 3.97. Enjoy:

Vol.1: http://depositfiles.com/files/ocdv0c0sx

Vol 2: http://depositfiles.com/files/gz8l5spxe

-Casey

Enoch Light: Provacative Percussion Vol. 1 (1959) Original Command Records Stereo Vinyl Transfer

Perhaps Enoch Light's most famous releases, the Provocative Percussion series weren't so much albums as they were an experiment in exploring the possibilities of stereo sound, as I alluded to on my previous post. Enoch Light was a notorious audiophile and went to the greatest lengths possible to achieve top sound quality. The liner notes on the LP sleeve, where typically some record label promo guy would wax poetic about the content of the record, is instead filled with details on which microphones were used to the record the instruments, which kind of tape head and amplifiers were used to cut the master reel, and directions on how to properly weigh and calibrate your turntable as to not damage the record.

The music itself is deceptively simple, the record is mostly comprised of jazz standards and instrumental versions of show tunes. The selections are immaculately arranged and performed but they sometimes feel as though they are merely an excuse to show off Light's high tech studio wizardry. There's an almost sparse feeling to the songs as Enoch Light typically shows off one instrument at a time, almost like a demonstration for the listener to hear how incredible the clarity of each individual sound is. The clarity is indeed stunning, the brass play very loud and yet there's zero evidence of clipping or distortion, quite a feat for a recording studio in 1959. And as the album title suggests, crystal clear bongo drum rolls, shakers and scratchers zip back and forth between the left and right channels seemingly at random as a further demonstration of Light's prowess with the newly discovered stereo format. Tony Mottola's guitar is as smooth and silky as ever, as he picks the perfect spots to put his precise, jazzy touches on.

Highlights are the Cole Porter cover "You're the Top", "Somebody Loves Me" and "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps."

The LP was transferred to .mp3 @ 320vbr using EAC's .WAV editor and compressed with dbpoweramp using LAME 3.97. Enjoy: http://www.mediafire.com/?lvv8bo1w7x2606j

-Casey

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