[klaatumail] Re: Review of Klaatunes Records remaster of Hope
- From: billmulvihill@xxxxxxxxxxx
- To: klaatumail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 23:47:09 +0000 (UTC)
Dave,
Thanks for the review.
It seems that there is a slight improvement on the Klaatunes version based on
your analysis.
I guess I would like to know if when you compare the two is there a noticeable
difference or just a slight difference?
Can you quantify it percentage wise as to how much better you believe it is.
And what's up with people stealing all this Klaatu stuff way back when?
What a bummer.
Maybe someday the original master will turn up and we will have to buy it
again!
At least it's something to look forward to.
Best Regards,
Bill Mulvy
----- Original Message -----
From: db65@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: klaatumail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 10:07:28 PM
Subject: [klaatumail] Review of Klaatunes Records remaster of Hope
Hi everyone,
Klaatu's albums have been given horrible treatments over the years when it
comes to CD releases, that is until the Bullseye Records releases of the past
decade. Now Klaatu are having their own turn at it and remastering their albums
(probably the last time this will happen) with the newest technology and
releasing them with extended booklets containing newly created artwork to
enhance the existing artwork. The additions to the artwork are by Ted Jones who
did the original album covers (except Sir Army Suit) and is a nice addition.
This time around is no exception. They've expanded the booklet, including
things like a map of Politzania, etc. (and who knew that HOPE was an anagram
for Hall of Peace Eternal?) and they started with a high resolution scan
(several scans actually) of the LP cover for their jumping off point on the
artwork. The contrast is better and the imagery looks sharper and more
pronounced. Very nice job with the artwork! The booklet is phenomenal. The CD
label harkens back to the original Canadian LP labels, excellent job guys!
(Some of you may recall that the original large painting that the Hope cover
comes from was stolen when it was sent to LA to Capitol Records in 1977 for the
LP release.)
But how does it sound?
Fantastic!
There had been good releases (Attic records) and not so good releases (BGO
Records) of this album over the years on CD, and the Bullseye remaster in the
early 2000s was a nice refreshing change. This remaster takes it a step
further. The sound is nice and crisp. The bass is powerful. The highs are very
present. The mids are crisp and clear. There's nothing muddy about this
release, and there's nothing brittle about this release. They've really brought
out more of the high end and still managed to keep the tape hiss to a minimum.
Very nicely done. (Some of you may recall that the original master tape with
the uncompressed first generation mixes was stolen when it was sent to LA to
Capitol Records in 1977 for the LP release and all the band has to work with is
a Dolby A encoded, EQ'd for LP cutting, compressed master copy.)
It's a close race between who finished first this time around. Bullseye vs
Klaatunes. Both sound phenomenal. But I have to say that the KIaatutunes
release on CD edges out the Bullseye release and takes over the number 1 spot
for CD releases of this album.
Fantastic job with the remastering! Kudos to Peter Moore and Klaatu!
Dave Bradley
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