Focus On Phase 4 Stereo

Focus On Phase 4 Stereo

Originally released in 1968 on Decca Records, Focus On Phase 4 Stereo is a showcase for the label's celebrated Phase 4 Stereo recording process, bringing together 14 contrasting performances from across the Decca catalogue. The UK edition appeared as BPS 1, with the album specifically designed to demonstrate the spacious, detailed stereo sound that made the Phase 4 series such a popular part of the hi-fi era.

Rather than concentrating on one particular musical style, the compilation moves through an unusually broad selection of orchestral pop, easy listening, big band jazz, Latin music, vocal groups, military band music and stage-and-screen themes. Stanley Black opens with the sweeping “I Love Paris”, followed by Ronnie Aldrich and his Two Pianos with the London Festival Orchestra on a lush instrumental interpretation of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”. Los Machucambos bring a Latin flavour with “El Cumbanchero”, while Harry James supplies classic big-band trumpet on “I've Heard That Song Before”.

The programme also demonstrates the sheer variety of artists working within the Phase 4 catalogue. Will Glahé's “The Skaters Waltz”, Les Paul's inventive reading of “Lover” and the Band of the Grenadier Guards' “Washington Post” provide three very different approaches to instrumental music, while Side B continues with The Keating Sound's “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra's lively “La Bamba”. The album's source recordings themselves span several years: the sleeve notes indicate recordings dating from 1964 through 1968, making this a snapshot of the developing Phase 4 catalogue rather than a set recorded at one single session.

The second side also includes Frank Chacksfield's atmospheric “Limelight”, Roland Shaw's orchestral treatment of “The Avengers”, Werner Müller's “Two Guitars”, Ted Heath's “More” and Eric Rogers' arrangement of “Camptown Races”. The result is an entertaining cross-section of the polished, highly produced sound associated with 1960s Decca Phase 4 Stereo, with familiar melodies presented for maximum instrumental colour and stereo impact.

For collectors of 1960s easy listening, vintage hi-fi records, stereo demonstration discs, Decca Phase 4, orchestral pop, big band jazz and lounge music, Focus On Phase 4 Stereo is an appealing period document. It also offers a particularly good introduction to the Phase 4 catalogue, with artists including Stanley Black, Ronnie Aldrich, Edmundo Ros, Frank Chacksfield, Ted Heath, Les Paul and Harry James represented across one LP.

Side A

1. Stanley Black – I Love Paris
2. Ronnie Aldrich And His Two Pianos With The London Festival Orchestra – A Whiter Shade Of Pale
3. Los Machucambos – El Cumbanchero
4. Harry James And His Orchestra – I've Heard That Song Before
5. Will Glahé – The Skaters Waltz
6. Les Paul – Lover
7. Band Of The Grenadier Guards – Washington Post

Side B

1. The Keating Sound – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
2. Edmundo Ros & His Orchestra – La Bamba
3. Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra – Limelight
4. Roland Shaw And His Orchestra – The Avengers
5. Werner Müller And His Orchestra – Two Guitars
6. Ted Heath And His Music – More
7. Eric Rogers Chorale And Orchestra – Camptown Races