PINK FLOYD – M-502

Description

Grosser Saal, Musikhalle, Hamburg, Germany, February 25, 1971.

　The legendary recording of “Atom Heart Mother,” featuring mixed chorus and brass, has been polished up. GRAF ZEPPELIN has polished up the classic recording known as the LP “M-502” to create this top-notch updated edition.

　This work permanently preserves the legendary audience recording from the “February 25, 1971 Hamburg Performance.” This show is also legendary for being one of the best recordings from the LP era. The LP was released without a title and has been nicknamed “M-502” due to the matrix imprint. It has been beloved by FLOYD collectors worldwide for its astonishing sound quality of the complete “Atom Heart Mother” performed with the Jeffrey Mitchell Choir.

　This work is a top-notch updated version of the “M-502” recording, reassembled with the best masters and meticulously mastered by “GRAF ZEPPELIN.” Before introducing the contents, let’s first confirm the position of this work from the activity overview.

“ATOM HEART MOTHER Tour”
January 17th to February 27th: Europe # 1 (10 performances) ←★COCO★
April 3rd to July 1st: Europe # 2 (20 performances) ←※ULTIMATE BRESCIA 1971
August 6th to 15th: Japan / Australia (5 performances) ←※OSAKA 1971, etc. September
18th to October 3rd: Europe # 3 (7 performances) ←※MONTREUX 1971
《October 4th to 7th: Filmed in Pompeii》 October 10th
+ 11th: UK (2 performances)
“MEDDLE Tour”
October 15th to November 20th: North America (27 performances) ←※CLEVELAND 1971, etc.

　This is PINK FLOYD in 1971. Above all, it is a period symbolized by the legendary first visit to Japan, but the Hamburg performance of this work was a part of “Europe # 1” about half a year ago. Our shop handles the complete history of Floyd, and we’ve archived as many masterpieces as possible for “Europe #1.” Furthermore, let’s focus on the dates and organize your collection.

● “Europe #1” Details
* January 17th “ROUNDHOUSE 1971”
– January 23rd + February 3rd (2 shows)
* February 12th “COLCHESTER 1971: 2ND GEN”
– February 13th-24th (3 shows)
* February 25th: Hamburg performance ←★This album★
* February 26th “OFFENBACH 1971: 1ST GEN” and others
– February 27th: Frankfurt performance

[The story of the legendary recordings surrounding the legendary LP “M-502”]
　This album is a permanent preservation of the legendary recordings that have passed down the story of that show, as the best masters. While it’s known as the legendary LP “M-502″ as the title suggests, this album isn’t the LP itself. Let’s briefly summarize the circumstances surrounding it.

　”M-502” was originally the nickname for an unofficial LP that came out in 1971. The LP itself had no title, and it was named after the “M-502” stamped on the matrix. However, the “M-502” matrix only appeared on the 5th pressing and later. Prior to that, first pressings only had the numbers “1, 2, 3, 4” engraved on them, and were also called “Spread Legs Covers” because of their distinctive jackets.

　The recording was made by Robert Nitz, who ran a record store in Germany at the time. It was recorded using a West German-made reel deck, the UHER Report 4200 Stereo, and two Sennheiser microphones. This means the original sound is stereo. While some scenes were later unearthed in stereo, the LP “M-502” itself was, for some reason, entirely mono (the reason for this is unknown, but it is thought to be due to the specifications of the cutting machine).

　Currently, two of the best masters of this famous recording are known, and this work couples them together.

[The highest quality sound created from the original masters of the legendary LP, “1, 2, 3, 4”]
　First, the main master, which occupies “all of DISC 1 to the first track on DISC 2.” This was digitized from the original pressings of “1, 2, 3, 4,” of “M-502.” This master was transferred from the extremely rare original, of which only 300 copies were made, and because Mr. Nitz himself produced the master, it essentially sounds exactly like it was dropped directly onto the master tape.

　Indeed, the sound is top-notch. Though mono, the directness and sound pressure are overwhelming. Gilmour’s crystal-clear vocals on “Green Is The Colour,” the rising tension of “Careful With That Axe, Eugene,” the vividness of the footsteps and door slams on “Cymbaline,” and the bizarre explosion of “A Saucerful Of Secrets”—every moment is filled with the density you’d expect from a direct master recording.

[A superb stereo master that also includes scenes cut from the LP]
　Also included on “Disc 2, Tracks 2-5” is a separate master, “Tape Source (Stereo).” While the recording itself is the same, it was digitized from the tape source before it was released on LP, and is a stereo source. This is the third generation, transferred to a TDK SA90 cassette, and it delivers incredibly high sound quality. Roger introduces the Jeffrey Mitchell Choir, and “Atom Heart Mother” is led by an MC. The stereo dynamics are superb, offering a different appeal from the mono LP master. Moreover, the meticulous mastering of “GRAF ZEPPELIN” further enhances the clarity. The clarity, free of hum noise, is heartwarming.

　The greatest feature of this tape source is the inclusion of “Soundcheck” and “Atom Heart Mother (reprise),” which are not included on the main LP. The soundcheck conducted after the performance of “Atom Heart Mother” and the replay of the song’s final section, which didn’t fit on the side of the LP, are important parts that can be heard in stereo.

[A rare recording featuring “Atom Heart Mother” with mixed chorus and brass]
　The greatest attraction of this album is, of course, “Atom Heart Mother.” The horns roar, the mixed chorus forms a layer, and the brass adds a touch of elegance. These parts, which were layered with overdubs on the studio version, sound as if they were taken live in one take. The irreplaceable value of this recording lies in the realism of a live performance, which cannot be achieved in a studio.

　Live recordings of “Atom Heart Mother” with brass and chorus are extremely rare and unobtainable, and even limited audience recordings exist, including this one from Hamburg, the following Offenbach performance, and the Montreux performance from the same year. This release offers the ultimate in sound, recreating the legendary M-502 LP. Experience “Atom Heart Mother” with mixed chorus and brass on both sides, in both mono and premium stereo tape. This cultural heritage album permanently preserves the GRAF ZEPPELIN-honed, 2-CD set, allowing you to experience the ultimate in sound.

★This is the legendary audience recording of the February 25, 1971 Hamburg performance. This is the ultimate in sound, refining the classic recording from the classic M-502 LP. This disc features both the original pressings of “1, 2, 3, 4” and a stereo tape source of the same recording. This is a cultural heritage album featuring “Atom Heart Mother” with mixed chorus and brass.

Disc 1 (67:52)
1. Green Is The Colour
2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
3. Cymbaline
4. The Embryo
5. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
6. A Saucerful Of Secrets

Disc 2 (62:44)
1. Atom Heart Mother

Tape Source (Stereo)
2. Introduction by Roger Waters
3. Atom Heart Mother
4. Soundcheck
5. Atom Heart Mother (reprise)