From what I could (quickly) gather, Emitex was a British-based cleaning material used by Parlophone in the 60’s, then by EMI Records throughout the 70’s. It was also a prominent badge on all British-released Beatles albums, such as this reissue of PMC 1202, Please Please Me. Several variations of this classic stamp are found around the web, but little has been preserved about the Emitex material itself. With more time, I’ll dig a bit deeper.
Category Archives: Misc
Equipment Failure 2018
We had our first equipment malfunction of the new year when the hinge that holds the dust cover snapped. Though I’ll admit that the turntable looks much better without a dust prevention device, I’m not going to enjoy cleaning the intricate nooks and crannies beneath the tonearm in a few short weeks. Currently on the hunt for a replacement hinge.
Happy Groundhog Day!
I’ve yet to track down the Spain-only release of the legendary Groundhog Day soundtrack, so we’ll have to do with these other two Bill Murray essentials, 1981’s Stripes and 1998’s Rushmore. Happy Groundhog Day, kids!
The Sad Post
This is, sadly, what is left of a once 1000+ compact disc collection. What’s worse, it now sits deep within the frigid bowels of our guest room closet. (Sigh.) Adequate space for LPs is not the only format issue to overcome it appears.
Free Records are the Best Records
So, here is another perfect example of the growing benefits that acquiring albums online can yield. I pulled the trigger on purchasing Candido’s 1957 Afro-Cuban Jazz number, Candido the Volcanic, and when it arrived, it was sandwiched, not on poppy seed buns, though, my surprise would have been about the same, but instead, between The Blues A La Dixie (Pee Wee Hunt, 1959), and Giant Steps (Woody Herman, 1973). Ladies and gentlemen, this are free records! Free! While I sip my Kona coffee and delight in my crackling dixieland blues, that I paid nothing for, and hurriedly scrape together a post that I should have submitted yesterday (note the date), I crack a smile and think of ways I can pay it forward. If anyone wants a digital copy of these or any other album you see here, email me. How’s that?
Happy 5th Birthday, Groove!
Five years ago today I started an asinine, little daily tradition focusing, let’s say, “inwardly” on my ever-growing collection, and 1828 posts later, I’m no smarter than when I began. I mean, let’s be honest here. I’m not saving lives (nor do I really want to), but that certainly is not to say that these past 1828 days 1) haven’t been worth it, 2) haven’t allowed me the opportunity to discover a plethora of adventurous new records to spin, and 3) the ability to rethink all the minute elements that make a “record collection.” Thank you for taking the time to assist me in rediscovering my collection, be it through 8-Tracks, Inserts, the short-lived Audio Odyssey (man, was THAT a mistake), and of course, the always-growing Colored Vinyl category. Cheers to you and your subtle enjoyment of analog entertainment. Happy 5th birthday, Prudent Groove!
Pennywiser
Cheers to another pop-punk band doing another groovy beer. This time, Pennywise and their collab with Lost Coast Brewery appropriately titled, Pennywiser. I’ve yet to try it, but it appears to be a modest or “easy drinking” session IPA, and if my sources are correct, has a limited release dating back to last September. For a full list of participating venues, have a hop over to the band’s official site here. Cheers.
(No) Space
The real estate market within my library is growing increasingly scarce. This unfortunate fact has made me second, third, and fourth guess my vagrant decisions to grant specific records access to this congested population. I mean, would I really keep Ace Cannon’s Memphis Golden Hits if it wasn’t for the gaudy cover? Or how about two copies of Asia’s Alpha, not to mention (by mentioning) 8 copies of Sean Lennon’s debut, Into the Sun… well, that one seems viable, but still! All of these one-offs start to add up, and before anyone is the wiser, space becomes a great concern.
(Taboo) (Taboo)
Good things often come in pairs… socks, cocktails, pears, and as far as I’m concerned, exotic bird caws and mysterious xylophone melodies are no different. Presented here are Arthur Lyman’s 1958 smash Taboo, and his 1960 follow up, Taboo Vol. 2. The former had been sitting in the collection for three or so years, but the latter just showed up at our doorstep (he shudders in the attempts to contain his excitement). Now, I’m slowly beginning to realize that drunken bird calls aren’t necessarily for everyone (though I’m not entirely sure why), but both Taboo volumes do a phenomenal job of uplifting the listener to bygone nights of exotic, island bliss (think dirty feet, tiki torches, and a lot of rum). For you newbies, start with Taboo (obviously), and when you’re ready for that perfect paired compliment, hunt down Vol. 2. Like with all other space age pop albums, the exotic sounds of Arthur Lyman come highly recommended.
Taking a(nother) Day Off
Taking a day off from half-effort documents of analog entertainment. So with feet up, I toast to ears I will never speak to, ingesting sounds from records I’ve I’ll never hear. Enjoy your spins, kids.
src Fail
For those of you unsavory types who missed out on the ocean blue double vinyl version of the Mondo Jaws soundtrack, you’ve got an overpriced chance to acquire a copy over at srcvinyl. That’s right! For a cool $54.99, you could be the proud owner of the black vinyl version, for roughly a third more than the original retail cost of the ocean blue version. Upon closer examination over at src, it appears this item’s preorder description offers conflicting information… Unless there are varying degrees of darkness (“none more black”), how could a 180 gram black colored vinyl record be described as “Limited double 180gm colored vinyl LP pressing” ??? Somebody better fix that shit!
Random Two
Two 45s I never imagined spinning back to back. 1996’s California Dreamin’ by Japanese punks Hi-Standard followed by the live version of Mony Mony by Billy Idol from 1987. Playing the “random two” game is fun from time to time, especially when whiskey picks the records.
Back to Life, Back to Reality
Unsure how to start the new year, I’ll give a quick shout out to our trusty portable, the Numark PT-01 USB. If ever you’re looking for a rugged portable that plays 33 1/3s, 45s, and 78s, this is your machine. She runs on 6x D batteries, and if you’re serious, I suggest investing in EBL rechargeable batteries and the EBL Universal Charger. Well worth the money, on all accounts.
Roughing It Day 3 (The Finale)
Note to self: get more rechargeable D batteries when planning the next three day camping trip. Lucky for us we had the iPod as a backup.
Roughing It Day 2
Some choice selects for our end of the year camping extravaganza. From Arthur Lyman to the Kinks, and Perez Prado to Radiohead. Some great spins to round out 2017.
Roughing It Day 1
Another holiday camp outing in the works, and we had to start with Volume 2 of Persuasive Percussion. Happy Friday, wherever you lay your head and drop your needle.
Kill All the White Man
Here are the lyrics to NOFX’s 1992 hit, Kill All the White Man, by means of The Longest Line EP insert. Not necessarily a top 40 classic, or even a legitimate radio song, but some much-needed truth can be found within this joke band’s joke song. The only question is, who’s laughing?
Stereo Now!
Give the benevolent gift of stereo this holiday season with Capitol Records’ New Improved Full Dimensional Stereo. It “sounds better than stereo has ever sounded before,” and it’s available “on all new capitol stereo discs.” With new “bite” to the brass, “impact” in the percussion, and crisp clarity you’d find only in a thrilling live performance, Capitol’s stereo recordings are a heavenly gift, perfect for any and every collector. Ask your dealer for more information, or write your congressperson.
Let’s Listen
If you’re in the mood for a legs-up causal evening, alone, with loved ones, or even those you’d like to begin loving, try a few halves of Harry Arnold and his Orchestra as they elegantly and seductively jam through 12-tracks of Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers favorites on Let’s Listen, released by Mercury Records. Though the year is unknown, I’d guess and say this is a 1956 release, give or take a few years. Check it out if you can find it.
Touch Dancing…
Well, it’s back, at least, according to this International Jazz release by Enoch Light and His Orchestra. It’s hard to imagine that touch dancing ever really went away, but that’s just, you know, my opinion. Appropriately titled Touch Dancing is Back, Enoch Light (and his crew) bring 10 tracks of pure, lustful touch dancing favorites like, Laughing on the Outside, I’ll Get You, and I Get Ideas. Whether you’re in the mood, or trying to plan a soft, rhythmic evening with your touch partner, consider Touch Dancing is Back. You won’t be disappointed.
The Prudent Groove 