 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Test and demonstration records were sold cheaply or given away with equipment. This enabled listeners to sample the benefits of the new album format, or (in June 1958) the introduction of stereo. Sometimes the discs would demonstrate the features of new record players or talk people through setting up their new stereo system. The sleeves for these discs often played on similar themes of sound waves and curved futuristic shapes.
EMI
Stereophonic Demonstration Test Record
EMI
SDD 1 : 1958
This disc carried a range of thrilling sound effects on side one (Inside a swimming bath, Table Tennis), with extracts from a number of different musical genres on side two, ending with a metronome! This will appear in the centre of the virtual stage between the two loudspeakers if correctly set. If not it could turn up in your neighbours back yard. EMI launched their stereo album catalogue in August 1958 but this album was slipped out a couple of months early to allow dealers to have something to play on the new machines.
Super
Stereo Demonstration Record / 209 S Electronic
Philips
6830 209 : Holland : 1972
A standard Dutch Philips demonstration disc of European MOR tracks, housed inside a gatefold sleeve publicising the new Philips 209 electronic record player. The cover uses the imagery of a circuit board, while the back carries a photo of the deck showing the various features. The tracks are inside along with a seductive close up of the machine, which is typical of the neat detailed styling given to Philips hi-fi products at this time.
An
Audio Obstacle Course / Trackability Test Record
Shure
TTR 101 : USA : 1967
A record produced specially to push the new Shure cartridge to the limits, with very modern sounding tracks like Drum And Cymbal, Silent Grooves and Bass Drum. Plus a printed sheet full of audio bumf to enable hifi bores to baffle people at parties, and even a score sheet to fill in as you play the tracks! Who cares, the simple striking cover image is excellent.
Adventures
In Stereo
Brunswick
STA 3004 : UK : August 1958
"There's a new word looming larger on your entertainment horizon - STEREO!" It also looms large on the cover of this gold black and white sleeve, which housed a collection of Decca's Brunswick albums - from Sammy Davis Jnr. to the Lawson Haggart Rockin' Band, plus a cheesy spoken intro to each side. As the text explains "the ears have it!".
Mel
Henke / Dynamic Adventures In Sound
Warner
Bros. Decca WM 8103 : UK : 1962
Sold through the stores as a regular title, this disc nevertheless plays heavily on the description of the technical tricks and studio wizardry used to create the ground breaking effects on this disc. Tracks like Adventure In the Steaming Tropics and See The USA in Your Chevrolet were designed to push stereo effects to the max. Part of a number of similar Workshop Series albums in this vein. The sleeve uses geometric effects and blurred photographs (by Sid Avery) to reinforce the modern technical nature of the material.
High
Fidelity Demonstration Record
Nixa
WLP 5002 : UK : 1958
Kicking off with a "locked groove" at the end of the frequency test bands, this stereo demo disc used a number of Nixa's classical offering to illustrate various aspects of the new format. The label even had a stroboscopic pattern round the label with which to test the speed of your player. A lot of the Nixa album had very cheap unlaminated covers, but this one (with an illustration by Norman Glick) has a certain charm about it. An impressive looking graph on the back cover adds technical weght to the text. A pencil note on the back cover tells us that Brian still owes 5/4d on the price of 15/3d...
Click on the sleeves for a larger image.
