Command Records
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Command Records (originally Command Performance Records) was a record label founded by Enoch Light in 1959 and later associated with ABC-Paramount Records.
The company focused on producing records targeted at audiophiles. When ABC Records issued quadraphonic records in the 1970s, they were issued on the Command label.
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Recording technique
While the recording industry had made magnetic tape the standard for recording music for release on vinyl, Command's albums were recorded optically onto 35mm film. Optical sound recording and playback had been developed in the 1920s and was still in use for playing the soundtrack for motion pictures in movie theaters, but Light was using the entire width of the film strip to create multitrack recordings, as opposed to the more limited two or three tracks offered by most recording studios at the time. This enabled Light to record more instruments individually and adjust their audio input levels, as well as their stereo position.
Command test record
The Command test record (Stereo Check Out) was an LP album produced by Command Records in 1960. It contained recordings designed to allow users to test their stereo equipment.
Album details
Like many other Command records, the Stereo Check Out came in a gatefold cover with extensive liner notes and full technical data inside. Charles Stark narrated both sides, providing both technical details and information about the musical instruments used on the tracks on Side Two.
Side one
Side One of this LP consists of turntable tests. An oscilloscope is a useful tool when used in conjunction with these tests:
- Stereo Balance Check
- Left and Right Channel Check
- Volume Reference Check
- Frequency Run Check
- Output Balance Check
- Flutter or Wow Check
- Phasing Check
- Acoustical Check
- Rumble Check
Side two
Side Two of this LP consists of musical selections from the Command catalogue:
- Hernando's Hideaway (from Provocative Percussion Vol II)
- Cumana (from Provocative Piano)
- Tenderly (from bongos)
- Enjoy Yourself Cha-Cha (from Pertinent Percussion Cha-Cha's)
Other Albums
- Enoch Light...And His Orchestra A Discotheque Dance...Dance...Dance
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade Big Bold And Brassy
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade Vibrations
- Enoch Light...Big Band Bossa Nova - The New Beat From Brazil
- Enoch Light...Command Performances
- Off Beat Percussion - Don Lamond and His Orchestra
- Persuasive Percussion
- Persuasive Percussion Vol. 2
- Persuasive Percussion Vol. 3
- Provocative Percussion
- Provocative Percussion Vol. 2
- Provocation Piano Dick Hyman and His Orchestra
- The Man From O.R.G.A.N. - Dick Hyman
See also
