Syd Lawrence - Big Band Spectacular!

In creating this double album, producer Mike Valentine wanted to explore the sound differences between direct cut vinyl and a multi track analogue tape recording and mix down, of exactly the same event. Because the album had to be recorded live, he had to first choose a selection of music which would be of the perfect length. Next came the musicians and Valentine felt so lucky to have to opportunity in working with the UK's leading big band, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Finally, he had to find a recording studio which not only had a superb sounding space, it also had to have an engineer versed in the black art of cutting live vinyl. Ultimately, he chose Air Studios with engineers Jake Jackson and John Webber. The Syd Lawrence Orchestra led by Chris Dean perform music consisting of eight pieces from the big band era, the creations of Glen Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman played live at Air Studios. Well, what did their adventure reveal? Please judge for yourself, for Valentine hopes that you have as much fun in listening, as they had in creating these discs.