Dionysus Records proudly announces two vinyl LP releases for May of 2012: Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited “Plays Lost TV Themes” and The Creatures of the Golden Dawn “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was The Ground”
Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited “Plays Lost TV Themes” with free digital coupon – Dionysus Records ID123390 – click here to purchase
Out of print as an LP for over 15 years, Stereophonic Space Sound Unlmited’s debut platter, “Plays Lost TV Themes”, was originally released on Dr. Dream records on both LP and CD in 1997. When Dr. Dream folded operations a couple of years later, Dionysus Records reissued the CD, but not the LP version of this album.
Even with six full-length albums (including a soundtrack for a movie about Swiss racecar driver Jo Siffert) under their belt, not much is known about this mysterious Swiss electronica duo – not one SSSU photograph exists! But that hasn’t stopped them from garnering a legion of fans who love all retro, surf, spy, Henry Mancini, John Barry and electronica from buying and loving the group’s music.
The album jacket was designed by artist SHAG before he became famous. The LP was cut at HRS (History of Recorded Sound) on a vintage Scully lathe using a Westrex 2-B stereo cutting head. And – this LP has what is called an eccentric shut-off groove; when the album ends, the tonearm is lead to an off-center circle groove (harmless to the stylus) that swings the tonearm back and forth – this was a feature that was common on 78s and pre-1961 albums – it was used to kick in the shutoff or changer mechanisms. Dionysus had HRS cut the record this way because they are record geeks and wanted to take the retro thing a step further…
The Creatures of the Golden Dawn “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground” with digital coupon, edition of 500 on gold vinyl – ID1233147 – click here to purchase
Arriving after the ’80s garage/psych revival – Bethlehem’s The Creatures of the Golden Dawn came on the scene with a lot more attitude then similar-minded combos. Lead by vocalist Mark Smith – their knife-sharp punky garage-meets-the-early-days-of-psychedelia tunes were filled with hooky riffs and always shadowed by varying degrees of darkness. The Creatures amassed a cult following in the states and Europe, and were played heavily on Little Steven’s Underground Garage syndicated radio show.
“Dark Was The Night…Cold Was The Ground” is a collection of what Mark Smith felt were the group’s best recorded efforts and includes tracks from their CD releases as well as their 7″ EPs. Though test pressings for the album were in Mark’s possession, Huntington’s Disease took his life before the LP was finalized. Thanks to the help of Mark’s brother Gregg and former Creatures of the Golden Dawn guitarist Steven Schlack, work on the record continued, was approved and set for release.
From the LP liner notes: Born of angst and attitude, The Creatures of the Golden Dawn bring forth a collection of songs compelling you to get up and get to action! Savage rhythms, angry guitars and vocals filled with rage and emotion will set your souls, hearts and minds on fire! This is the music that has brought teenagers around the globe to the edge of mania! So get ready to GO with the primitive beat of The Creatures of the Golden Dawn!
Tonight I’ll be cutting the vinyl for the first two Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited albums “Lost TV Themes” and “The Fluid Soundbox.” Both were originally released on Mai Tai Records in the ’90s. Dionysus reissued the albums on CD and digital only after Mai Tai ceased operations.
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