Pink Floyd: Ummagumma - 2-Disc Original Capitol/EMI LP - 24/96 rip to redbook

Two discs: one live and one studio. On the concert disc, the band jams on tracks from their first two albums. "Astomonmy Domaine" is changed from a Barret tab to subtle art rock. "Careful With That Ax Eugene" rests on Water's spare bass framework, and is probably the first time in the band Gilmore opens up with his soloing. The other two tracks, from "Suacer Full Of Secrets" show Floyd's early snuggling with classical avant-garde. The crowd is mostly mixed out, adding the nuance this is a rock recital, not a party gig.

The studio disc furthers the modern classical ideas Flyod started on disc one. Each member has his own composition. Wright does a fright night keyboard suite. Water's plays with accustic guitar and tape loops. Gilmore plays with dissonce and melody, and Mason does a masterful percussion blowout.

The sound is great. Only the Beatles and Hendrix used stereo seperation, brand new in 1969, as effectively as Floyd does here. Listen to how the fly buzzes back and fourth on Water's animal piece, as the cymbals slice through your tweeters on Mason's.

Like this? Do something old fashioned. Ask mom and dad for their old headphones–ear-covering cans, not the micro peices they make now-turn out the lights and play the whole album. You'll understand why a good stereo was imporatent back in the stone age.

Ummagumma is a scrapbook of ideas Pink Floyd would later integrate into their more streamlined, commercial albums. For me, the gambit testing here is edgy, exciting and emotionally driven.

Disc 1 (Live Concert Recording) Side A:
01. Astronomy Domine
02. Careful with That Axe, Eugene

Disc 1, Side B:
03. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
04. A Saucerful of Secrets

Disc 2 (Studio Recording), Side A:
01. Sysyphus Part I
02. Sysyphus Part II
03. Sysyphus Part III
04. Sysyphus Part IV
05. Grantchester Meadows
06. Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict

Disc 2, Side B:
07. The Narrow Way Parts I, II & III
08. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party - I. Entrance 2. Entertainment III. Exit

Essential Equipment used:
Clearaudio Champion 2 turntable & Unify tonearm
Benz Micro L2 cartridge
Extremephono tonearm cable
Aqvox USB-2 MKII D/A
(light manual declicking)

PLEASE NOTE: Burn gapless (no track gaps) to match original track layout and continuous play (especially with this release!)

This is a freshly ripped LP transfer with nary a peak or hint of noise. Just turn down the lights, imbibe in whatever makes it right for you and enjoy…:-

rar pw: sysyphus