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Post by etherealise on Jul 27, 2021 0:57:15 GMT -8
“So…here we are and there you go. Once again, these six albums go out into the world, with new ears!
This latest fourth incarnation of what became known as the 'Vitamin Enhanced Box Set' is the first time I’ve personally had a chance to really make th e frequencies and spaces shine bright enough on these tunes to satisfy my ears. I hope you have as much fun listening as I did enhancing!! Be well and shine bright!'' Ed Wynne, Ozric Tentacles.
If like me you have the Snapper 2013 reissue and are wondering what the difference is (apart from being remastered again) , according to Wikipedia this one has a 48 page book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_Enhanced
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Post by spongey on Aug 9, 2021 12:18:06 GMT -8
I was hoping Ed would be using all this "down time" to come up with some new music. At this point I don't care what he calls it- solo, Ozrics, Nodens; just as long as we get some new tracks to dig into.
I also hope they record at least one gig from the upcoming tour and it gets released.
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Post by orpheus73 on Sept 14, 2021 4:56:01 GMT -8
It was mentioned on the Facebook group that a collection is coming out soon featuring the latest remixes of the albums from Pungent to Jurassic Shift, and contains a book on the history of the band written by Dom (Shimmerscape).
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Post by yiannis on Sept 15, 2021 0:13:39 GMT -8
Pity they don't sell the book on its own but I'm not missing it. I've wanted this for a very long time.
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Post by orpheus73 on Sept 15, 2021 1:41:02 GMT -8
Pity they don't sell the book on its own but I'm not missing it. I've wanted this for a very long time. Maybe they will if there’s enough demand, or not enough uptake of the box set. A book has been a long time coming really. |
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Post by etherealise on Sept 15, 2021 2:17:07 GMT -8
It was mentioned on the Facebook group that a collection is coming out soon featuring the latest remixes of the albums from Pungent to Jurassic Shift, and contains a book on the history of the band written by Dom (Shimmerscape). Those albums were so well mixed to begin with, I'd be surprised if they were being remixed. Also weren't the master tapes lost? |
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Post by orpheus73 on Sept 15, 2021 2:30:23 GMT -8
It was mentioned on the Facebook group that a collection is coming out soon featuring the latest remixes of the albums from Pungent to Jurassic Shift, and contains a book on the history of the band written by Dom (Shimmerscape). Those albums were so well mixed to begin with, I'd be surprised if they were being remixed. Also weren't the master tapes lost? Totally agree. Maybe Ed had reservations at the time, or just wants his current audio tastes imposed upon them. I haven’t heard his remixes of the Vitamin Enhanced releases, as I can’t justify another purchase of the set. |
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Post by yiannis on Sept 15, 2021 10:41:21 GMT -8
I haven’t heard his remixes of the Vitamin Enhanced releases, as I can’t justify another purchase of the set. Same here. |
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Post by etherealise on Sept 15, 2021 17:24:16 GMT -8
I thought about it. I mean I love those early albums, maybe with the exception of Live Ethereal Cereal which is the roughest one and a bit less interesting for me. But yeah basically I'm not too sure how much better they can sound with a remastering job, when the source material was more lofi from the start. These albums probably would be "better" with a remix as opposed to remaster but then again we've all gotten used to the way they sound so that might be debateable.
Reality is the remaster before this latest one is pretty decent and has the credits and a booklet, so I can live with that. It was definitely a nice upgrade on the original.
I've always thought of the run from Pungent or at least Erpland through Hidden Step to be exceptionally well mixed and produced records but will be interesting to hear the results of these releases anyway.
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Post by yiannis on Sept 16, 2021 2:43:44 GMT -8
I actually prefer the earlier versions of the Vitamin Enhanced albums, the2013 versions are a bit too bassy for my liking. I'll eventually find a way to listen to the newer remasters.
I think The Hidden Step could benefit from a remaster. I love that album, but it's really low in the volume department, which means that in order for it to be clear you need great speakers/headphones at a high volume. Same goes for Pongmasters. However, the newer remasters are even lower in volume than the originals.
The rest of the albums were fine to begin with, I agree.
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Post by etherealise on Sept 17, 2021 1:27:09 GMT -8
That surprises me about them being quieter. Usually remasters are louder which is one of the reasons I don't like them. The other being they're usually brighter. The loudness thing often results from them being over compressed which can make for a fatiguing listen. Usually if I find myself turning UP the volume I'm glad because it's probably the hallmark of a production that has more dynamics left in it.
I have little respect for remastering unless the album was deficient to begin with. Exceptions are Steve Hillage's box set and the Hawkwind remasters which are tastefully done. Not squashed and not really trebly.
For me the original releases of those early Ozrics album lack bottom end, partly just a result of the way they were recorded. They sound thin. But I do think what the remasters did in an attempt to correct this, is in some cases to accentuate the inconsistencies in the bass, resulting in a bit of wobbliness. But I like that they fixed up the tape drop outs on the first few.
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Post by alberik on Sept 22, 2021 3:51:52 GMT -8
well, 2020 (and onwards) sucks for recording, performing artists, so squeezing for revenue is a must. Space for Earth is getting a 2CD re-release,
And Dom's book should be widely available since it's a Kscope venture, iirc.
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Post by etherealise on Sept 22, 2021 22:54:33 GMT -8
well, 2020 (and onwards) sucks for recording, performing artists, so squeezing for revenue is a must. Space for Earth is getting a 2CD re-release, And Dom's book should be widely available since it's a Kscope venture, iirc. Yeah it does suck for them alright. I won't be buying Space for the Earth though - I have the vinyl which is a bit underwhelming compared to the rather good Shimmer Into Nature. The book would tempt me on its own. |
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