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For The Record, 3 Coleman Street, #04-28, Peninsula Shopping Centre, Singapore (2026)

24/03/2026

When one hears the Beach Boys, invariably Pet Sounds come to mind. It’s natural as Pet Sounds is a seminal album which led to even the Beatles coming up with Sgt Peppers( as most reviewers say) . I have had several copies including an audiophile pressing and nary a week goes by before someone asks if I have it.

The album which most reviewers say is the best album by the Beach Boys would be Sunflower released in 1970 under the Brother Records olabel and pressed by Reprise( it was their first release after their leaving Capitol). Though not commercially successful, it was nevertheless held up to be one of their better offerings and some even say it was ahead of its time. One reviewer even said this was the most dynamic, diverse, love filled music they ever made.,

The UK pressing differs from the US pressing with the addition of Cottonfields as the first track of side 1 one should listen to this as well as other tracks including but not limited to Tears In the Morning, the opening track of this album and penned by Bruce Johnston, At My Window penned both by Johnston and Brian Wilson. The recordings are backed by a stellar cast of backing musicians including James Burton considered as one of the finest guitarists ever and who played with the likes of Elvis amongst others.

Not sure if the UK version is also by Reprise but it comes in a laminated sleeve at both the front and back with Garrod & Lofthouse credits.

Reviewed copy is the first UK pressing and system used was the Loricraft and Clearaudio cleaning machines with the Groovewasher 2 stage cleaning fluid and played through a Linn Radikal, Karousel, Linn Ekos SE ARM fitted with a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge and fired into a brace of amplification comprising of a Naim 52, 2x 135 Naim monoblocs with a rebuilt Wilson Watt Puppy speakers.

14/03/2026

As a self confessed Beatles hard core chap, I spent a lot of time seeking out not just the influence of the Beatles but any group with even a faint whiff of any relations to that group.

One such group would be the Big Three. Though they were a 3 piece band , they became known to be one of the loudest and the most aggressive band of the time and were part of the Merseybeat scene. Indeed, Brian Espstein was their manager briefly. The Big Three released a mono EP under Decca which I had and only recently passed to an Englishman here for a short visit. The EP titled At The Cavern saw John Gustafson on bass.

Thus started my journey into recordings which involved Gustafson. Two records came to mind ie both Hard Stuff albums, one titled Bulletproof and the other Bolex Dementia( incidently Gustafson played with Roxy Music and Ian Gillian Band amongst others.

Which leads to to todays feature which has become a minor collectible ie Quatermass released in 1970 on the Harvest label. This album has been reissued several times as early as 1980s and recently. First pressings of the label will have no EMI box . Often described as a lost gem of the UK progressive scene( though why it was described as lost defies logical explanation to me as we had known about it as it had repressed several times. Actually my first copy was a late 70s issue and I have now progressed to the coveted No Emi box first version. I must thank my German friend, Klaus, who acquired it for me at 2019 Nov edition of the Holland fair). It is indeed a prog masterpiece of the 70s.

Housed in a rather intriguing gatefold jacket designed by Hipgnosis, it’s been said that this output by Quatermass by the Nice and early Deep Purple. A standout track , Black Sheep of the Family has surfaced in several compilation albums. Peter Robinson’s organ work is a delight to listen to.

13/03/2026

I can hear the grass grow. It is often been said that the phrase refers to a somewhat epitome of boredom.

To some others like me, “ I Can Hear The Grass Grow” that would be a signature tune of Move’s 1967 single . It been said by some reviewers that the lyrics of that song captures the surreal sensory experience. To a young impressionable mind of those times, it did not perhaps capture that but it lead to some of us seeking out recordings by the Move, who became the forerunners of the Electric Light Orchestra( ELO) and made some of us to seek out that group as well.

Which leads me to Shazam, the second album by the Move released in 1970 and which to me is the seminal album of the 60s capturing the psychedelic progressive scene of that era though some reviewers felt that it laid the foundations of hard rock. Though I may believe it with the advent of time, I nevertheless think it’s a classic psychedelic album.

Fronted by the inimitable Roy Wood( though Jeff Lynne had to join at that time - it had to be ELO’s 10538 which one might want to hear to experience that collaboration between Wood and Lynne), Shazam did not fare too well commercially.

Reviewed copy is the first pressing of the Shazam on the Regal Zonophone label. It has the 2U/1U matrix numbers which makes it the very first pressing( the 1U copy has a pressing fault which causes the second track on the B side ie Don’t Make My Baby Blue to skip at towards the end of the track causing the label to repress the album with a 2U matrix which makes it a minor collectible. I have kept the original pressing all these years and had a Singapore pressing to listen to with the correction.

Side 1 is comprised of Roy Wood’s compositions whilst Side 2 is mostly cover versions. Though the jacket has seen signs of wear the vinyl plays reasonably well ( the Singapore climate of high humidity does create havoc on jackets)

09/03/2026

Will wonder(s) never cease( pun definitely intended).

One of the surprising things about getting older and trying to sell off one’s collection is that I am amazed myself that some of the records I accumulated over the years is constantly turning up.

One such album would be a late 1968 original issue on the Gordy album titled Eivets Rednow which a buyer turned up yesterday while going through my Stevie Wonder collection. ( apparently it has been reissued in the 80s with the fine print stating how one would say Stevie Wonder backwards) because that’s what it is. Was trying to recollect why I acquired this and it slowly dawned on me that I was keeping up with his recorded output and bought it because it was indeed his 9th album( perhaps it’s is way of saying tongue in cheek that it was indeed by him.

A largely instrumental album with Wonder playing harmonica, drums, piano and clavinet on this album. Though he doesn’t sing, it does include an instrumental hit he had with Alfie. Played it this morning and a pleasant album notwithstanding his lack of singing. System used was the Loricraft and Clearaudio cleaning machines with the Groovewasher cleaning fluid and played through. Linn turntable with Radikal, Karousel, Linn Ekos SE arm fitted with a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge and fired into a Naim 52 preamp and a brace of Naim 135s monoblocs with a rebuilt Wilson Watt Puppy speakers.

06/03/2026

Peter Case has been described as a musician’s musician. I must confess that what led to this album was the stellar cast of musicians who included(but not limited to) J Henry Burnette who also produced this album but also John Hiatt, Roger McGuinn( of the Byrds), Van D**e Parks and a few others. It is a relatively inexpensive album which may often be found in bargain bins. I hope that it remains so because this album also appears in the TAS list of good sounding albums( it’s often been said that when the audiophiles know about this the price usually goes up).

I found several copies of this album on my trips to the Holland Record fair. I have passed on several copies to my friends, including my German friends, when I discovered that it made it to the list of good sounding records.

From the opening bars of the first track, Echo Wars till the last track Pair Of Brown Eyes, it’s a riveting album not just for for the sonics but the lyrics as well.

Do you want a man of steel/Or Do You Want A Man That’s Real , lyrics from the second track “Steel Strings “ makes one ponder on the lyrics

One may also want to check out another album of his ie The Man With The Blue Guitar
which includes David Lindley and Ry Cooder amongst others as this album would also surface in the bargain bins and its sonics are just as good.

System used was the Clearaudio and Loricraft cleaning machines with the Groovewasher cleaning fluid and played through a reasonably good turntable ie a almost full blown Linn turntable with Radikal, Karousel, Linn Ekos SE arm fitted with a Kiseki Purple aheart cartridge with a Naim 52 and a brace of monobloc Naim 135 amps. Speakers were a rebuilt Wilson Watt Puppy.

05/03/2026

My introduction to Nico was through Velvet Underground infamous album ie Velvet Underground and Nico.

Apparently, Nico, a German model, was introduced to the band by Andy Warhol, where she sang three tracks. Her inclusion into the band was opposed by Lou Reed.

I sought after her albums .and managed to get the first three ie Chelsea Girl, Marble index and Desertshore (managed to get UK copies of Chelsea Girl and Desertshore but a French pressing of Marble Index)

It’s been the opinion of several that one should not listen to Nico( and several of Leonard Cohen’s recordings ) if one is depressed as they tend to be dark and moody.

Reviewed copy is the third album by her ie Desertshore( though I managed to locate Marble Index and this, I have yet to locate my copy of Chelsea Girl as I would have loved to do it first)

Produced by John Cale of Velvet Underground ( though I think he left by then). Cale plays several instruments on this as well. It’s a very significant departure from Chelsea Girl and I suppose this could be one of the many reasons why it should be stated that one should not listen to her when one is depressed. It’s that dark.

24/02/2026

The late Terry Reid who has been described as a musician’s musician had seen accolades from such luminaries as Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin ( rightly so) and Graham Nash amongst others and was nicknamed Superlungs . Robert Plant is once have said that you belong up here( to paraphrase him) at a gig which was attended by Reid.

The history of rock is resplendent with many stories but one thing which stands out is that Reid is known as having missed the two biggest gigs though he has stated that he has no regrets.

Jimmy Page sought out Reid to be the vocalist for the New Yardbirds which later evolved into Led Zeppelin. Reid, not only turned this down and he recommended Plant ( and Bonham ) to Page. Later on, when approached by Ritchie Blackmore to be part of Deep Purple, Reid also turned him down!

I have acquiring his solo albums for some years but with age catching up, I have passed on his early UK releases to people who knew about him. I have kept his third album entitled River more as a reminder of the man( perhaps the presence of David Lindley of the American Kaleidoscope and Willie Bobo amongst others might have played a part)

His albums are relatively inexpensive except maybe for his earlier UK Columbia works but even those would not cost an arm and a leg and one may check them out for the history he brings.

23/02/2026

Harvey Mandel was once described by a reviewer as “ the unknown genius of the guitar”. Perhaps to the uninitiated, he was unknown but to some of us, he was not an uninitiated. I got to know about him due to his work with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat as well.

Nicknamed the “ Snake”, the album featured is his first album ie an original UK copy on the Philips label, which was released in 1968 and titled Christo Redentor, a title borrowed from the Jazz track performed by Donald Byrd. Least one is prompted by this to be a Jazz album, one can be put to rest.

It is an instrumental album but no means just confined to Jazz. There are several blues rock tracks as well as traces of psychedelia. Lights Out is one of the tracks which stands out amongst others and the album has been described as ahead of its time and still sounds as fresh today as when it was issued in 1968.

Such was his guitar prowess that he has been said to have been invited to join the Rolling Stones( Mandel appears on two tracks on their Black and Blue album)

Though he has made several more albums, I guess that it still remains one of my favourite albums of his perhaps due to the fact that it was this album which made me seek out the rest of his albums.I was rather surprised to see him being reviewed in the pages of Steve Hoffman ( when I was going through the reviews for this posting). Apparently, there is a reissue mastered by Hoffman himself( amongst others) and one should seek out this album whether original or reissue. It’s not an expensive album and one has a choice of an original or reissue. One could also listen to the album in full on You Tube before one decides.

System used was the Clearaudio and Loricraft cleaning machines with the Groovewasher cleaning fluid and played on a reasonably good turntable ie a almost full blown Linn turntable, Radikal, Linn Ekos SE arm fitted with Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge and fired into a Naim 52 preamp into a brace of Naim 135 amps. Speakers were a rebuilt Wilson Watt Puppy.

21/02/2026

I posted about a withdrawn LP yesterday ie the Beatles Rubber Soul which apparently was withdrawn because it did not sound right.

There is another withdrawn LP amongst others ie the infamous Robert Ludwig ( RL) mastered album of Led Zeppelin’ Volume 2. I was told my a regular buyer, Boon, that a Malaysian seller is asking for about $10,000 ringgit for the Pink Floyd’s Dark Side as it has been mastered by RL.
( I initially didn’t want to name him but he felt I should for authenticity)
Think I better wade into the controversy by giving my two pennies worth.

The Led Zeppelin was withdrawn for different reasons. It was felt that it was recorded at a rather relatively high volume which caused speakers and amplifiers to blow up at that time. It’s been said that Ertugan’s daughter blew up her speakers when she took home an advance copy and blew up her equipment( another version states that it was an Atlantic executive’s daughter. Well, we know the exact reason ie whether it was Ertugan’s daughter or not, the story is apparently true.

The RL copies not only have the 1841 Broadway address but both sides have the RL at the dead wax area towards the end( Side 2 has the additional SS matrix). It was withdrawn and another issue also with the same number ie SD 8236 was issued. Later on another issue ie numbered SD 19127 came out. However some are with the 1841 address and others with a Rockefeller address. It was withdrawn because it was felt that it was recorded at too high a volume causing equipment failures. Nowadays, these problems don’t exist anymore as audio equipment has seen progress by leaps and bounds making the few copies in circulation highly collectible( I have seen even beaten up copies ie VG, fetching US $400+ or more)

To say Pink Floyd’s solid triangle Dark Side is better is , I feel a misrepresentation. Ludwig did master several but it’s the Led Zeppelin vol 2 which is highly collectible.

I have had both the RL , as well as the remastered SDD 8236 and the SD 19127 as well as an early UK plum. To, me the UK version is preferred. I suppose it could be system dependent or perhaps one could be loosing hearing certain frequencies due to age( I had even listened to a MOFI version which I still keep but the UK reigns supreme to me)

Coming back to the solid triangle of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side. I suppose one should be looking for a matrix number of 2 and whether the postcard has a 45 degree line( first copies had a 45 degree line- see pictures). All inserts should be intact. One should not bother with a RL as it’s of no consequence. For you information, I found 4 copies of this At the Europe fair( two were taken by a Frenchman living here apparently one for himself and the other for a fellow Frenchman as a birthday gift! I had given away the rest including an excellent copy to Boon with the 45 degree cards. I have had several copies including a MOFI UHQR which is a minor collectible ( I still keep the UHQR I guess more for bragging rights as I found even a non solid triangle 7/7 of acceptable sonics)

System used is both the Clearaudio and Loricraft cleaning machines and played on a reasonably good Linn turntable with EKOS SE arm and a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge into a Naim 52 preamp and a brace of Naim 135s. Speakers were the Wilson Watt Puppy.

20/02/2026

As a self confessed Beatles ‘freak’, I have been often asked what is my favourite Beatles album.

It used to be Sgt Peppers for several years. Then it evolved into Revolver ( I used to say it was a toss up between the two).

Recently, Rubber Soul is taking more time on my turntable. Perhaps, it was the power of suggestion. A couple of friends made me listen to Norwegian Wood again and again ( the odd thing about listening is that it makes one delve into other records in one’s collection. American Breed’s Bend Me Shape Me comes to mind and made me search out this album too from my collection. It did shape me or bend me in the way I listen to the Beatles)

A few things about the Rubber Soul. The first pressing known as the ‘loud cut’ ie the 1/1 was withdrawn after only 2 days . It was felt that the mix was distorted and that it the bass and treble was accentuated making the vocals less prominent. It was replaced by the 4/4 version ( the ‘loud cut’ is frightfully expensive for a mint copy and is highly sought after by collectors due to its scarcity). As far as I know, the 4/4 is the first pressing after the loud cut and no 2 or 3 exists. If you do come across one, please let me know. I have scoured books and articles but to no avail.

I have had the ‘loud cut’ for several years together with the 4/4 and since I preferred the latter, I gave it away to a friend who wanted it. I kept the 4/4 version and felt it was more balanced.

However, 5/5 version is also being sought after now because some consider it rare as it was engineered by Hazel Yarwood, the first and only female engineer of the album. Whether it’s sonics or the fact that it was engineered by a female is up to anyone but to me, the mono 4/4 is the best. I have not heard the Yarwood mastered version but thanks to my German friend Werner, I have listened to the German blue Odeon and it did sound good; maybe better than the original in some aspects.

For anyone who wants to listen to the ‘loud cut’ the Australian issue with a 1/1 matrix may be the cheaper alternative. It is also on the yellow black Parlophone label and is somewhat more accesible ( had kept a copy of this Australian pressing though)

Pictured is the 4/4 version with the “Sold in UK .. “ text and with the Gramophone Record Cimpany at the 9 ‘o clock position at the label. System used is both the Clearaudio and Loricraft cleaning machines and played on a reasonably good Linn turntable with EKOS SE arm and a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge into a Naim 52 preamp and a brace of Naim 135s. Speakers were the Wilson Watt Puppy. I also used a second Linn fitted with a Naim tonearm but with the Miyajima mono cartridge as the album was in mono.

19/02/2026

Though I do not go out for the way to look for albums I have been ‘ chasing’ from early on, I do buy collections if they land in my lap.
One such album will be Brainchild’ only album from the 1970s titled “ Healing of the Lunatic Owl “ which had become a staple for die hard progressive fans.i guess when one starts buying and selling one might come across such treasures.

Though I used to go to the Holland fair bi annually since 2015, I have not been to locate a decent copy of this album. With the decrease of the English sellers due to Brexit, my hopes of ever finding a decent copy have vanished.

So imagine the surprise I had when a local collector offered me this though at the princely sum of $300 Singapore dollars( as most collections were about $20 each, $300 seemed very high)Though I told him that it might be Singaporean in origin ( or some sort of export copy- see below) I nevertheless took it as the lot included a Jade Warrior’s “Released” small spiral German Vertigo but with the poster intact as well as Albert Ayler’s New Grass on Impulse amongst others though I ended up buying it at a reduced price since I took the whole lot

The album has been described as jazz-rock akin to early Blood, Sweat and Tears or Chicago with its brass section but on playing it was more progressive in nature with some heavy psychedelia as well as jazz funk( the presence of Ayler in this collection made it least surprising in this respect). Perhaps it could be due to personal interpretation but it my opinion that it is more progressive and heavy rock in nature.

The album came in a UK Jacket and with the matrix numbers machine stamped( Singapore made albums had the matrix numbers scratched in) but it had the “ Made In England” text missing. This text is what I have seen on the UK copies( at the 9 o’clock position below the A& M logo on the label)at the fair.

After cleaning on both the Clearaudio and Loricraft cleaning machines and played on a reasonably good turntable with EKOS SE arm with a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge, it sounded pretty good to me( Amplification was through a Naim 52 into a brace of Naim 135s. Speakers were the Wilson Watt Puppy)

17/05/2024

I suppose for some of us old fogeys who started out our musical journey( and vinyl) with the British Invasion bands of the 60s, groups like Unit 4 plus 2 with their Concrete and Clay and later with Argent’s Hold Your Head Up, the name Russ Ballard might invoke fond memories.

Russ was with an earlier group called The Roulettes who recorded one album in 1965 titled Stakes and Chips. Though they were critically acclaimed at that time with their hit Bad Time, they never recorded another album and later went on to be the backing band of Adam Faith.

So I guess one might never feel the sense of excitement one has who has gone through that phase as I felt when I picked up an original UK copy on the Parlophone label. A four piece group, this album became as rare as hen’s teeth fetching as high as 500 British pounds in mint condition whenever it surfaces. It includes another well known musician of that period in the form of Peter Thorpe.

Listening to that album now which is bringing back some fond memories.

For The Record

24/03/2026

14/03/2026

13/03/2026

09/03/2026

06/03/2026

05/03/2026

24/02/2026

23/02/2026

21/02/2026

20/02/2026

19/02/2026

17/05/2024

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Tuesday	12:30 - 19:30
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