Did the engineer "Get Down On It" (the mono button)?

[canadiantire]

Ok here is my scandal :

Not long ago, I've (once more) compulsively purchased a compilation CD on which appeared the seventh occurence of "Get Down On It" from Kool & The Gang.

This time it happened to be the 12" version.

To my great surprise, I've discovered that the recording was mono channelled.

I went straight to my vinyl dungeon and pulled it out for the same listening test.

Identical!

For those who own the 12" version VG114/310933 made in France by De-Lite records, put on a pair of headphones and listen carefully for any kind of stereo image in the musical program. If your amplifier is old enough to have the mono/stereo button, make a comparison.

The French sound engineer (or the pressing company) most likely left the console in mono while doing the master tape.

I unfortunately do not own any other pressing than the one from France so I can't tell if U.S version is also affected by the same problem.

If it's the case, I'm in for a collective action to recover half of my money .

Did the engineer get down on the mono button?



- Marcus

[Disco Funk]

Thanks for pointing that out! I never noticed it, but then again, I've never listened to it in headphones. I just checked out a sound sample from allmusic, and it's definitely mono.

Disco Funk

[Mixmachine]

Thanks for pointing that out! I never noticed it, but then again, I've never listened to it in headphones. I just checked out a sound sample from allmusic, and it's definitely mono.

Disco Funk

Just listened to the Kool and the Gang’s "The 12" collection and more" Cd on Mercury, and yes the version used here is mono, really awful, something I didn't noticed the first time around while listening in my car's system, (this version clocks at 6:08 the label says).

But the Delite US 12" (Promo) single (MK 124) is mastered in stereo, it clocks at 4:58.

This song was very popular locally for me, so I also bought at the time the UK release on 12" single, (Delite-Dex 5) this one is cut at 45 rpm and is also the Stereo version (The same version as the US 12”), as an added bonus on side B they included the original LP version of "Summer Madness" (4:16) inside a nice color paper sleeve with logo that is still holding on pretty much intact . (Usually this flimsy British 12" import 12” record covers didn't last to long after daily club DJ abuse)

The UK 12” has slight sonic edge over the US single, better stereo/channel separation and you can hear the synthesizer behind the vocals much better (cleaner).

The “Summer Madness” side sounds great here too, I need to clean my copy to remove some noise, (used to play this record/song everyday in some clubs during “supper” time before the Disco Night got rolling) but the deep bass here is great and beautiful channel separation too.:icon_cool:


Edit: Just listened carefully at the mono CD extended version again ,they added a synth solo portion and extended sections sanwiched between "Get down on it" vocals, I don't think I ever heard this extended version until I picked up this CD a few years back.

[canadiantire]

I wasn’t too far from reality. It appears on many compilations in my collection:

6’11” – Best Funk Essentials 2
3’36” – The Disco Years Vol.7
4’55” – Funk Classics Of The Eighties
6’09” – Love Funk
4’55” – Old School Jams
6’10” – Old School Jams Gold

Next time I have a bit of spare time, I will compare them.

[Disco Funk]

The 12" mix is in stereo on the CD compilation 'Funk Funk'.

Disco Funk