This is NOT another "ordinary" release on vinyl, yes the musicianship is excellent but this album is also of interest from a technical perspective.
This is a recording made direct to disc instead of via tape as an intermediary step.
This innovative (for the time period) method of recording music is very difficult and time consuming but Sheffield and The Mastering Lab learned the techniques and produced albums such as this one.
The inside front of the gatefold cover has very detailed information about the history of the direct to disc process
Other sites which are relevant to this album are:
http://sheffieldlab.com/content.php?content_id=1002 (Very detailed historical account)
https://soundbetter.com/profiles/2875-the-mastering-lab#profile-profile (Contemporary information about this famous studio)
NOTE: on the inside of the gatefold cover there is a playback suggestion
To hear this record to its best advantage please brighten Side One from 2 to 4dB with the treble control on your amplifier.
Side Two should be played flat.
Use no loudness compensation.
Lincoln Mayorga And Distinguished Colleagues - The Missing Linc (Volume II)
Sheffield Lab
Cat# S10
Matrix codes:(etched) RT1-1 18606(4) SL3-3 N, AT1-4 SL 4-9 16807 (3)
1974
USA release
Heavy/stiff cardboard cover is in very good condition, front lower left corner wear, clean artwork both outside and inside. Original printed inner sleeve is included.
New inner plastic liner sleeve
Vinyl record is in very good - excellent condition, visually inspected under a white halogen light source and I can see a couple of light scratches on Side A, Side B also has just one very light, short scratch, so all scratches are very light. I then played the entire album and there are no significant issues with surface noise on either side - the very occasional click/pop and some very low level surface noise between tracks. Like all my vinyl, this has had a wet scrub/wash/vacuum (I actually did it twice) but I feel more cleaning or perhaps even treatment with "revirginiser" might help (if you wish to try that product). My styli tip is elliptical so it is going to pick up ALL surface noise in the grooves created by "gunk" - I feel there is still more gunk in the grooves.
Listening comments:
My system is not what it used to be, I no longer work professionally with vinyl HOWEVER I did notice that the piano tones are much more "realistic" than other vinyl recordings I have and the dynamic range is pretty amazing (Peace Train is an amazing track) - I discovered limitations on my system low end response in particular. This direct to disc method of capturing the most realistic music is not all "snake oil" - the ears prove that.
New outer protective sleeve
Performed by:
The Miraflores Quartet: Eliot Chapo (1st violin) Jose Madera (2nd violin) Alan de Veritch (Viola) Daniel Rothmuller (Cello)
Mike Deasy - Lead guitar
Mike Anthony - Rhythm guitar
Victor Feldman & Gary Coleman - Estey Reed Pump Organ
Victor Feldman & Gary Coleman - Percussion
Jerry Scheff - Fender Bass
Chuck Berghofer - String Bass
Jim Keltner - Drums
Plas Johnson - Tenor & Alto Saxophones
Lincoln Mayorga - Piano & Harpischord
Tracks:
Chopin: Prelude in C Major
Limehouse Blues
I Never Loved A Woman The Way I Love
Both Sides Now
Chopin: Prelude in E Major
Brasil '57
The April Fools
Norwegian Wood
We've Only Just Begun
Peace Train
If
Blackbird
Love Rach
