Enoch Light
Enoch Light was a popular bandleader of the 1940s and '50s who is best known for his Persuasive Percussion and Provocative Percussion albums of the mid-'50s. They were some of the first albums to exploit the capabilities of stereo recording and the practice of using 35mm film as a recording medium instead of tape.
During the '30s, he headed the Enoch Light and the Light Brigade big band. The Light Brigade primarily played in theaters and on the radio, although they also toured Europe. The band also managed a hit in 1937 with "Summer Night," which was sung by Johnny Muldowney.
After the Light Brigade disbanded, Light became a session musician, playing on various records and radio broadcasts, including Hit Parade. During the '40s, he recorded versions of popular hits for budget labels, for sale in discount stores.
Light's career bounced back in the late '60s, when the Charleston City All-Stars, under his direction, had a series of hit albums entitled Roaring 20's. After their success, he founded the Command record label, which gave him an outlet for his sonically adventurous records. Light happened to begin the label around the time stereo became widely available, and he exploited the new technology to its fullest, creating albums that used the full sonic spectrum of stereo. The first of these albums were Persuasive Percussion and Provocative Percussion, and they were wildly popular, charting in the American Top Ten. One of the most notable features of these albums were their "ping-pong stereo," which featured the music jumping from the left speaker to the right, and vice versa. During this time, Light and Command also pioneered the practice of using 35mm film instead of tape as a recording medium.
Light remained the managing director of Command until 1965. While he was the head of the label, he recorded classical albums, big-band records, and collections of film themes. After 1965, Command was bought out by ABC Records, who in turn was quickly bought out by MCA Records. MCA made Command into a budget label, pressing the albums on poor vinyl and putting them into discount stores. By 1970, the label was no longer profitable and MCA shut it down. Light continued working, both as an arranger/conductor and the head of Project 3 Records. His activity slowed in the '70s, though he did continue to record. Light died on July 31, 1978.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Jazz Anthology (Original Recordings)
Jazz - Released by Miradas Records on 30 Jan 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The King of Jazz Story - All Original Recordings - Remastered
Jazz - Released by Silver Classics Jazz on 4 Mar 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz After Midnight
Jazz - Released by Silver Classics Jazz on 25 Sep 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Golden Oldies
Traditional Jazz & New Orleans - Released by Music Manager on 17 Jun 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Hits Collection
World - Released by Music Manager on 21 Apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Confectioner's
Latin America - Released by fsp analog on 23 Mar 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Man At His Leisure
Jazz - Released by classics & more on 3 Jul 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Love Caught
Latin America - Released by classics & more on 19 Jul 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Secret Meeting
Jazz - Released by classics & more on 30 Jun 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Noble Blue
Latin America - Released by classics & more on 25 Jun 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Favourite Dish
Jazz - Released by classics & more on 18 May 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fabulous Creature
Latin America - Released by classics & more on 2 May 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fun And Sophistication
Jazz - Released by Records on 20 Mar 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rich And Rugged
Latin America - Released by Records on 2 Mar 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Great Themes From Hit Films
Soundtracks - Released by ibomusic vs ibosound on 11 Dec 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Express Yourself
Latin America - Released by sinderella on 3 Dec 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lets Have A Drink
Jazz - Released by obligat music on 23 Nov 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo