This is a strange thing with a very poor mastering. While listening you should try this:
Bass: +4dB
Treble: +5dB
Front Left: 0dB
Front Right: 0dB
Surround Left: +12dB !
Surround Right: +8dB
(Since this whole album runs as one track the recommended levels are average.)
Then you'll listen to a great album. I would give it an "8".
So this is nothing to look for and buy it.
You should wait until someone will find the time to remix it.
Four very different votes before I added mine: '10', '8' '6' & '1' (although since the '1' is from Dixie4, that can be immediately discredited, lol)
I feel the urge to vote inbetween the '8' & '6' for this one as the music's pretty good, and while the mix is discrete, it pales so much in comparison with other 70s prog mixes, particularly the Steven Wilson & Genesis mixes.
It's a '7' at best for me.
Great album. Poor, small sounding drums. It sounds like the drum kit is 6 inches wide. Poor stereo imaging. Bass way too low. I would love SW to redo the Nektar catalog, I would settle for DTS DVDs.
IIRC, this LP was recorded on a 4-track tape machine. So the sound will always be lo/no-fi.
I'm a HUGE Nektar fan, but even as a super-fan I would say that this recording is half-baked at best. A few good ideas with lots of noodling around. This record is nothing compared to RTF or Recycled or even Tab In The Ocean.
Nektar has almost NO record label muscle behind them so its a true miracle we have this & RTF in surround. I believe this & Remember The Future are actually the original quad mixes and not 5.1 remixes from the original multi-tracks.
For me, Remember The Future(although in quad) is the real multi-channel Nektar recording not to be missed. I'd give iMachine's front teeth to have: Recycled & Tab & Down To Earth & Magic Is A Child & Man In The Moon in discrete 5.1.
Nektar was on the German Bellaphon label around 10 yrs ago but no idea now I'm afraid. Their back cat's in dire need of an SW overhaul
I discovered Nektar through these releases and now love them. I agree i would love more titles in surround. Who owns their catalog? Does SW know of the band? We get XTC and Gentle Giant in 5.1 but no Nektar( who are a million times better).
Nektar are currently on the U.S. "Cleopatra" label according to Wonkipedia..
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_Records
The Nektar catalog has bounced around so many times. I think the catalog may have reverted back to the band. But it would take a record company to put out some semi-big $$$ for any reissue or 5.1 remix campaign. I don't recall Steven Wilson ever mentioning Nektar. I love 'em. Roye Albrighton is a fine guitarist, singer & songwriter. By the way, Nektar re-released most of their stuff, approved by Roye in 2002. So when you buy Nektar make sure you buy the 2002 "Nektar approved remasters". There are several truly horrible sounding Nektar CD issues out there to be avoided.
You need to be patient with Gentle Giant, ignore the GG records your don't like(like I do). I think you will enjoy:
Free Hand
Octopus
The Power & The Glory
As far as XTC, I can see why neither you nor I care much for that band. You sir, have excellent taste in music, just like me!
@the XTC fanboy bandcamp: I am just having fun here, don't get your panties in a bunch. If SW likes XTC then they must be doing something good.
The Nektar catalog has bounced around so many times. I think the catalog may have reverted back to the band. But it would take a record company to put out some semi-big $$$ for any reissue or 5.1 remix campaign. I don't recall Steven Wilson ever mentioning Nektar. I love 'em. Roye Albrighton is a fine guitarist, singer & songwriter. By the way, Nektar re-released most of their stuff, approved by Roye in 2002. So when you buy Nektar make sure you buy the 2002 "Nektar approved remasters". There are several truly horrible sounding Nektar CD issues out there to be avoided.
You need to be patient with Gentle Giant, ignore the GG records your don't like(like I do). I think you will enjoy:
Free Hand
Octopus
The Power & The Glory
As far as XTC, I can see why neither you nor I care much for that band. You sir, have excellent taste in music, just like me!
@the XTC fanboy bandcamp: I am just having fun here, don't get your panties in a bunch. If SW likes XTC then they must be doing something good.
GG records have really annoying vocals but i like the music.
The vocals on RTF are divine. I do not like the mix though, lead vocals in rears are fine if the vocal is moving around soundstage or temporarily but for a whole verse, hell to the nah. Still love the surround mix though. Fantastic music.