The flip side to Thursday’s Full Dimensional Stereo insert from Capitol Records is this beautiful and informative breakdown of Capitol’s Full Dimensional Stereo sound, or as they state, The Eight Questions Most Often Asked about Stereo Records. Have a read, enjoy the mid-century art, and don’t forget to take notes… there will be a quiz at the end of the week.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha’s
It’s Saturday, and time for Cha Cha. I’m sorry, didn’t you know? Nevertheless, the glorious weekend is here, which is celebration enough for dancing. I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha’s by Enoch Light and the Light Brigade (gee that sounds great) offer a spectacular blister-popping dance party with this, their magnificent 1959 album. Enjoy your weekend, kids!
Heart on a Sleeve, Soul on a Chest
Yes, even t-shirts need a day of rest… or a violent cleaning. To the Rocket from the Crypt and Kids in the Hall fans out there, happy Friday.
Full Dimensional Stereo
Pimping the sensuous, splashy stereo sound to a mass of minions mothering mono was a popular venture in the dawn of this new recording and distribution era. Many vibrant inserts painstakingly detailing this new process were produced, such as this from Capitol Records from the late 50s. It’s an interesting feat to fancy a world where this (by today’s standards) common technique was the shiny new toy on the shelf. I’m gratified that so many labels of the time spent so much on promoting this recording method, which now only seem to exist stuffed inside an indiscriminate album jacket at the thrift store. Beauty, is indeed, in the eye (and ear) of the beholder.
The Drunken Penguin
Intoxicate your ears with this furry little squirt, The Drunken Penguin. Having been searching for this damn album for longer than I’m willing to admit, I’ve, in the process, acquired a few other ragtime, saloon-style piano records from Mr. Fabric, and am a much wiser, and well-rounded man as the result. Bent Fabric… (get to) know him… (get to) love him. This album was my introduction to the greatness that is Bent Fabric, and I implore you all to pour yourselves a heavy, taxi-calling glass.
Provocative Piano
If only for the intoxicating album cover, one should check out Dick Hyman’s explosive, Provocative Piano. Released in 1960, this organ-dancing, cool-man’s-groove music will tickle your fancy just as easily as it tickles the permeating plastic keys of Dick’s outrageous organ. One listen and you’ll get exactly what I’m jivin’ at, boss. Enjoy, and tell ’em the Groove sent’cha!
Demand Command
1950s audiophiles loved Command Records, mainly for their practice of recording music to 35mm film (new for the era), so it’s no doubt the label showed a little audio snobbery from time to time.
For discriminating people who desire the finest in sound… always – demand Command
GR-8-Tracks
Hunting for elusive and quintessential records while at the same time tracking down (see what I did there) casual listening and essential 8-tracks is a bit of a full time job. Lucky for me, my folks support and encourage this practice, and gobble up each and every much needed 8-track they can find. Perfect example, this double 8-track comp by the Beatles titled, 1967 – 1970 from 1973. They were presented to us just the other day, and by the sounds of it, were nabbed for a cool $0.50. Thanks, M & D for the mounding stash of GR-8-tracks, for the constant support, and for turning me on to The Beatles!
S&M Airlines of Hope
Let’s roll out of 2016 in blazing style, aboard S&M Airlines. I won’t get into the plethora of ways 2016 was one of the worst years of my existence, I’ll only hold one, desperate match in the attempts at keeping the flame of hope alive. 2016, you are dead, and I couldn’t be happier. 2017, I look at you with hesitant optimism. Don’t let us down. Happy New Year, kids.
Ghetto-Box Rock!
Thanks to my brother-in-law, we now have a spinnable copy of RFTC’s Ghetto-Box Rock 7″ from the 1993 Speed Kills Magazine #4 (thanks again, Bri!). Today we’ll digitize and distribute. Tomorrow she’ll rest among her 7″ brothers and sisters.
March March Alive
Arguably Madison, Wisconsin’s most prolific achievement, punkers Naked Aggression barked socialist ideals over light speed rhythms for audiences of couch protesters and pro-choice supporters alike. Though their idea of state smashing and organized religion bashing weren’t new as of the early 1990s, their collective voice has withstood the test of time (a rigged, almost impossible test to pass), and are greatly deserving of a solid, and focused listen.
The Thing
1995 called and they want their thing back. We’re so happy to finally own this amazing Love Jones album, their 2nd studio album (depending on who you ask). The Thing was, simply put, the thing back in the summer of 1995, and it continues to fill that cocktail lounge niche that never really seemed to go away… something I’m forever grateful for.
Comprador De Impuestos
We procured this sweet-ass Mexican Beatles EP of Taxman over the holidays. (Thanks for the impulse, Meg!) As you can see, she’s a beaut! Just in case you were wondering, Comprador De Impuestos is Spanish for Taxman. 🙂
Viva La Mexico!
The Dukes
Well, we survived the holiday, so let’s rejoice with a little Dukes of Dixieland! … You have to hear it to believe it!
Let’s Be
… it could be worse!
NEG F-X
Not necessarily the most festive of selections for this eve of celebration, but a worthwhile and recommended album nonetheless. Boston area hardcore punkers Negative FX were a short-lived, yet historically inspiring group of angry, melodic youths. They’re credited in the NOFX book, The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories as being the inspiration for the famous NOFX name (Negative FX / NO F-X…), which, in and of itself was enough of a reason to check out this 2005 release of NEG F-X’s 1982 demos. Get rowdy this holiday season, kids, and as always, please spin responsibly.
No Time for Love, Dr. Jones
Too busy studying for high fidelity sound.
Live One
It’s always an exciting and rewarding adventure to go record shopping with the wife for a variety of newly discoverable reasons. Our tastes vary, quite differently, for starters, but that’s all part of the charm. Case in point, this all-star jazz live recording of CTI veterans performing at the Hollywood Bowl from 1977. I’d never think to look for this, but couldn’t be happier with my wife’s decision. Discovering new music through the eyes, and ears, of others. Happy Thursday, kids.
Pains
First and foremost, RIP Alan Thicke. Anyone remember My Sister Sam? I don’t, but I bet Steve Dorff & Friends do! Along side the unforgettable (depending on who you ask) Growing Pains theme, Dorff and crew are responsible for themes to Just the Ten of Us, the aforementioned My Sister Sam, and of course, Murphy Brown. Also on this comp is the theme to The Oldest Rookie (never heard of it), Whattley by the Bay (again, no clue), and the Spenser: For Hire theme.
East Side Stories
Squeeze out another indispensable new wave experience with 1981’s East Side Story. Though not as electrifying as their 1978 debut (Squeeze), or as pop-friendly as their second album (1979’s Cool for Cats), East Side Story shows, I believe, the greatest jump in maturity between their early, and essential albums. Whether you’re in the mood for a very well-written, new wave classic, or if you’re longing for the chorus to Tempted, East Side Story is just a 33 1/3 revolution away.
The Prudent Groove 