I made the first post in this series on the sister Facebook group for this blog, That post is no more, so I decided to reproduce it here.
I have been working with another person who is highly skilled with the iZotope software suite to produce some amazingly good digital versions of these rare LPs. The objective here was produce rips that are de-clicked without damaging the original audio (cleanup), and to introduce any improvements to the sound, if possible (remastering).
The first set of downloads are the three LPs by The Gene Rains Group. I will go out on a limb and say that these are probably the best digital versions of these LP available to date, which includes any releases on CD, web downloads or on the streaming services. Listen and see if you agree.
The zip archive for each album contains: the audio files for each track in lossless FLAC format, with 24-bit samples @ 96 KHz, and also images of the front and back covers. No guarantee how long the links will be valid, so get them while you can.
These albums were remastered to have the best listening experience over loudspeakers.
Technical Information:
Turntable: VPI Scoutmaster.
Cartridge: Hana SH
Phono Preamp: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
ADC: MOTU UltraLite Mk5
Capture Software: AlpineSoft VinylStudio Pro
Cleanup And Remastering Software: iZotope RX and Ozone
LP Cleaning Machines: VPI 17 and KLAudio - KD-CLN-LP200
NOTE: Clicking on the album covers below will take you to the DropBox download page for the album. Click on the download icon ⭳ in the upper-right corner of the DropBox page to get the zip file.
The Gene Rains Group
1960 - Lotus Land (Stereo)
Decca – DL 740643
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| Click the cover photo to download the album zip file. |
More info from Ambient Exotica and Discogs.
1961 - Far Across The Sea (Stereo)
Decca – DL 74164
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| Click the cover photo to download the album zip file. |
More info from Ambient Exotica and Discogs.
1962 - Rains In The Tropics (Stereo)
Decca – DL 74348
NOTE: On track 4, Mapuana, @ 2:12, you can hear someone knock something over and then whisper “Sorry!” You will need to use headphones or earbuds to make out this blooper.
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| Click the cover photo to download the album zip file. |
More info from Ambient Exotica or Discogs.
Addendum March 17, 2024:
I found this cool article about The Gene Rains group in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin from March 13, 1960. Click on the photo to read it on Newspapers dot com.
Thank yuou SO much! These are real gems, have revived in me the ancient passion for the old 'sharity' music blogs I was eager to read, every saturday morning, some 20 years ago!
ReplyDeleteThe same sense of wonder, but now with much technical quality. I've also joined the facebook group last weekend, searching some more informations about this "series" without luck :( . But I've always find difficult to deal with that the social network, so tanks again for this more "friendly" blog post.
Thanks for the rare chance to hear. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Great job with the ripping and cleaning. Love the good sound.
ReplyDeleteMerci For that Job ;°)
ReplyDelete