* NO COMMERCIAL CD RELEASE *
THE CHARM AND FINESSE OF VINYL CAPTURED ON CD
The Brief To produce a clean transfer from a vinyl LP onto CD.
The Process After sourcing the disc it is cleansed on the Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner.
Transfer of programme content to a Mac using a Rega Planar 1 turntable.
Assessment and analysis of music file utilising studio quality iZotope RX 6 Standard software.
Sensitive reduction of surface noise and removal of undesirable elements such as clicks, crackle, rumble and other various artefacts related to the pressing process. Retention of existing detail being of paramount importance. Each track then painstakingly headphone checked in real time to further reduce or eliminate remaining undesirable elements where possible.
Tracks burned to music CD.
Statement How can a cd transfer from a vinyl record sound as good if not better?
Although the transfer is an analog to digital conversion process, pressing imperfections have been reduced or removed. The original warmth, equalisation and mastering quality found on the vinyl is retained. Well mastered cd's sound great - it's not a case of vinyl being better than digital.
You are buying PRIMARILY a restored transfer to cd as a backup copy to the vinyl disc. As the source quality of vinyl will vary considerably it must be regarded as inferior to the finished cd. Due to the nature of the vinyl pressing process and the unknown handling of the disc prior to sourcing, rarely will it play as cleanly or noiselessly as the cd - even a brand new factory fresh vinyl pressing will have minor imperfections. Vinyl gradings must therefore be considered as estimates of condition and are subjective - what can be acceptable to some may not be good enough to others. My service therefore is to capture the brilliance and warmth of a vinyl recording and, using professional software, eliminate or reduce the influence of undesirable elements previously described. Care is taken to avoid overuse of such software to avoid perceivable side effects. I’m a perfectionist, so if I’m not happy with the final result it will not be offered for sale!
The Project and outcome A truly fine and dynamic Direct-To-Disc recording and a neglected masterpiece from 1977. A great well balanced collection of really swinging and funky tracks from fifteen top drawer musicians focussed on producing the best possible live performance and it shows. An inspired decision to add a harpist in the mix as each musician gets to shine so its not all Peter Appleyard on every track. The original cover notes reproduced below, make for an interesting read.
Track listing: Open The Gates Of Love / A Face Like Yours / You Put The Shine On Me / Pavanne / Mambo Jambo (track incorrectly labelled as Mambo #5) / Swinging Shepherd Blues / Who Needs It / Night Journey.
Cover notes

As a musician on the Canadian and international scene I have played on many enjoyable and creative recording sessions, but the two days spent at Phase One Recording Studios, Toronto, August 5th and 6th, turned out to be by all standards, a milestone in the history of Canadian phonograph recordings, plus an unforgettable musical experience for me. 

Producer Bob Browne, former consultant and distributor with other leading D to D companies in the U.S. and Canada and longtime friend, contacted me with the great idea of recording a direct-to-disc album in Toronto, giving me carte blanche to assemble the finest instrumentalists in Canada and to create a musical showcase for my respected and admired peers, under the title - 'Peter Appleyard Presents'. 

     Commencing with 'Open the Gates of Love', an exciting overture featuring a percussion section interplay with the full ensemble playing with just a sample of things musical yet to come. Our lead guitarist Ed Bickert is acknowledged as one of the finest soloists and improvisors in jazz, recorded with the late Paul Desmond, and recently a U.A- C.T.L album of his own, is superb with his interpretation of 'A Face Like Yours'. The saxophone and woodwind section is covered by two recording artists, Eugene Amaro and the internationally renowned G.R.T. star Moe Koffman who plays the gutsy baritone solo on 'You Put The Shine On Me', with Eugene playing the biting tenor throughout. 'Pavanne' was reintroduced by Rick as a solo for Dorothy White, our harpist, and the incomparable Guido Basso on flugelhorn. Imaginative and sensitive solos throughout, illustrating the unlimited sound spectrum of direct-to-disc recorded sound. 'Mambo Five' is a new arrangement of the latin favourite, the compulsive beat and Moe's piccolo inspire me to have a ball with the percussion, and lent a major part in making this track a great favourite. 'Swinging Shepherd Blues', composed by Moe Koffman, has been recorded by over seventy artists from Count Basie to the Boston Pops, but this is a first for the vibes. Personally, I was delighted with this take. Dave Young, often bass soloist with Oscar Peterson, and currently principal with the Hamilton, Ontario, Philharmonic Orchestra, and longtime member of my quartet, is outstanding on 'Who Needs It', a composition I put together as a vibe rock solo for my C.T.L. recording, 'Sophisticated Vibes'. 'Night Journey', the exciting Doc Severinsen composition, was a great suggestion by Bob Browne for our finale. It is a showcase for the full orchestra with special mention to our brass section led by Arnie Chycoski on lead trumpet, an outstanding talent, the creative and formidable Guido Basso, with the talented Rob McConnell on valve trombone, who incidentally leads the Canadian orchestra, 'The Boss Brass', one of the finest bands on the music scene today (and I might add they have a great D to D album just released). 

     My associates of the rhythm section, no matter the tempi or musical mood, were the foundation and basis of much inspiration to me during the two days spent in the studIo. Dave Young and Ed Bickert you have met, but Andy Krehm, our second guitarist, is a young man whose name is highly regarded in Canadian music circles. Gary Gross on Fender Rhodes is one of my personal favourites, and Bernie Senensky, piano and organ soloist, is, like Gary, a favourite jazz soloist in Canada and leader of his own trio. Peter Magadini, our master percussionist, was a wizard in the percussion kitchen, and earned his title with honors. The ever constant and rock steady drumming with imaginative solo fills was superbly played by a Canadian favourite with an international reputation, Jerry Fuller (captain of the section). Yes, fifteen musicians in all, conducted by Rick Wilkins and most ably assisted by Academy award winning arranger-composer Jerry Toth, who as music and sound coordinator worked hand in glove with the brilliant recording engineer Alan Thorne and his most cooperative crew. 

     In the preparation of this album we took into consideration the reproduction capabilities of today's components and reproductive units and the unlimited fidelity of D to D recording techniques. Consequently, here is a recording custom engineered and orchestrated to illustrate the full sound potential of both instruments and systems, with the added bonus of a first class performance. It is indeed with the greatest of pleasure that I present… THE BAND  

PETER APPLEYARD - Vibes, Bass Marimba, Tympani, Bongos, Conga Drum, Percussion. RICK WILKINS - Arrangements, Conductor & ARP Synthesizer. DOROTHY WHITE - Harp. JERRY TOTH - Musical & Audio Consultant. GUIDO BASSO - Solo Flugel Horn, Trumpet. ARNIE CHYCOSKI - Lead Trumpet. ROB McCONNELL - Trombone. MOE KOFFMAN - Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Baritone Sax, Piccolo, Flute. EUGENE AMARO - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute. BERNIE SENENSKY - Electric & Acoustic Piano & Organ. JERRY FULLER - Drums. ED BICKERT - Solo Guitar. ANDY KREHM - Guitar. PETE MAGADINI - Timbales, Percussion. GARY GROSS - Electric Piano. DAVE YOUNG - Electric & Acoustic Bass. 

I've known and enjoyed Peter Appleyard and his music for over a decade. With his popular quartet he has appeared on every major television variety program in the U.S. and Canada. He is currently featured as vibraphone soloist with Benny Goodman and has appeared in every major concert hall with the renowned Goodman from Carnegie Hall, N.Y., to the Royal Albert Hall in London, with appearances in Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Poland, West Germany, France, Finland, Cyprus, United Arab Republic, Iceland, Bermuda, Australia and The United Kingdom. He recently appeared in concert with Frank Sinatra, Count Basie & Ella Fitzgerald at the Uris Theatre in New York City for a record S.R.O. two week engagement. Peter has numerous albums to his credit but this is his first direct-to-disc album. 

I feel that this album showcases some of the worlds finest musicians recording today and here's wishing you many happy hours of direct-to-disc listening. ROBERT BROWNE

It would take more space than is available here to describe all the time, effort, research and attention to detail taken by Bob Browne, Peter Appleyard, the musicians, the people at Phase One Recording Studio and Capitol Records to make this direct-to-disc album possible. No expense was spared and the latest computerized electronic equipment was used. 

The making of a direct-to-disc (direct cut) album entails many of the same steps used for standard albums with two very important exceptions: the original performance or "take" is recorded live directly onto the master lacquer (no tape is used) and from the metal master a very limited number of mothers and stampers are made to produce only a limited number of albums. This results in better frequency response, dynamic range and signal to noise. Salisbury Labs decided to use white virgin quadradisc vinyl after several tests proved it to be quieter than black vinyl. Carbon black normally is added to records to strengthen them. To effect the same thing and also virtually eliminate warpage Salisbury Labs incurred additional expense by producing much thicker records. The finest master lacquers were used and each step of the matrix (process) was handled with white glove perfection and quality to bring you this truly outstanding recording. MICK REYNOLDS

This transfer encompasses all the dynamism, power, depth and subtleties of the original vinyl. So keep your vinyl safe and enjoy the experience from the cd. Best experienced through headphones.

The Offer The original vinyl LP (stated condition NM - not my grading - see screenshot of original advert). Probably closer to EX, but lovely embossed gatefold sleeve is NM). Restored transfer to cd and high quality 4 page scanned cover art with full original cover notes.
Note that the cd cannot be purchased separately from the LP. Only one copy available.
Buy with confidence from a trusted UK seller.