Command Records
| Company type | Record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Enoch Light |
| Fate | Acquired by ABC-Paramount Records |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Enoch Light (producer) |
| Products | Audiophile music recordings |
Command Records was a record label established by Enoch Light in 1959 and was acquired by ABC-Paramount Records within the same year. The majority of the label's productions were overseen by Light himself.
Origin and history
After the era of Grand Award Records, Command Records was created with a focus on audiophile audiences. Light, along with engineer Bob Fine, implemented sophisticated recording methods, including the use of multiple microphones strategically positioned for each instrument.
The label gained recognition for its distinctive abstract cover art, initially crafted by Josef Albers under the artistic direction of Charles E. Murphy. Many of these designs are now part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Subsequent album covers emulated Albers’ artistic approach.
In 1966, Light left Command to launch Project 3 Records.
Recording technique
Unlike the common use of magnetic tape for vinyl recordings at the time, Command utilized magnetic 35mm film for their albums. This medium supported a greater number of multitrack recordings compared to the usual two or three tracks found in standard studios, while its higher linear speed resulted in improved analog sound quality. The sprocket-driven mechanism minimized "wow and flutter" effects typical in tape recordings, allowing for precise isolation, volume control, and stereo placement of individual instruments.
Command test record
The Command test record (also known as Stereo Check Out) was an LP released in 1960 intended to assist consumers in assessing their stereo sound systems.
Album details
Presented in a gatefold sleeve with comprehensive liner notes, both sides featured narration by Charles Stark who elaborated on technical elements and highlighted the instruments heard on Side Two.
Side one
Side One contains various turntable diagnostic tests including:
- Stereo Balance Assessment
- Left and Right Channel Verification
- Volume Calibration
- Frequency Sweep Evaluation
- Output Level Balance
- Flutter and Wow Measurement
- Phase Testing
- Acoustic Environment Check
- Rumble Detection
Side two
Side Two offers musical excerpts selected from Command’s catalog:
- Hernando's Hideaway (from Provocative Percussion Vol II)
- Cumana (from Provocative Piano)
- Tenderly (highlighting bongos)
- Enjoy Yourself Cha-Cha (from Pertinent Percussion Cha-Cha's)
Selected albums
- Enoch Light...And His Orchestra – A Discothèque Dance...Dance...Dance
- Enoch Light...And His Orchestra – Paperback Ballet
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade – Big Bold And Brassy
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade – Vibrations
- Enoch Light...Big Band Bossa Nova – The New Beat From Brazil
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade – Happy Cha Cha
- Enoch Light...Command Performances
- Los Admiradores - Bongos/Flutes/Guitars RS 812 SD 1960
- Off Beat Percussion – Don Lamond and His Orchestra
- Terry Snyder And The All Stars – Persuasive Percussion (Volumes 1–4)
- Enoch Light...And The Light Brigade – Provocative Percussion (Volumes 1 & 2)
- Provocation Piano – Dick Hyman and His Orchestra
- The Man From O.R.G.A.N. – Dick Hyman
- Spanish Guitar – Tony Mottola and his orchestra (1962)
- Persuasive Trombone of Urbie Green (Volumes 1 & 2)
- Enoch Light...& The Light Brigade – A New Concept of Great Cole Porter Songs (1971)
- Doc Severinsen...His Trumpet and Orchestra Fever! (1971)
- Ravel – Daphnis Et Chloe, Suite No.2 - Pierre Dervaux Command Classics (1961)
- Ravel Bolero – Rapsodie Espagnole - Pierre Dervaux Command Classics (1961)
- Tony Mottola And His Orchestra – Roman Guitar RS 816 SD