The EDISON record company didn't release electrical transcriptions until June of 1928, fully three years after the process had been perfected. This delay was due to stubborn resistance from the head man himself. By the mid-'20s, Thomas Edison was nearly deaf. Since he had final OK on which records went into production, Edison needed a way to preview company test pressings. He discovered that by biting down on the cabinet of an acoustic gramophone, sound waves would travel through his jawbone to the inner ear, thus he could listen to these 78s.
Edison couldn't distinguish between the new electrical recordings, which had a far wider frequency range, and the old-style acoustic ones, so he saw no need to modernize. It was only after company sales tanked that he agreed to release what became known as "ELECTRICALLY RECORDED --Needle Type-- RECORDS." The EDISON folks manufactured these until October of 1929, a mere 16 months, and then ceased operations altogether.
EDISON laterals, some of the rarest of 78s, are highly prized by collectors. Many of the tracks on the CDs issued by DIAMOND CUT PRODUCTIONS, including some on HOT DANCE OF THE ROARING 20'S, are one-of-a-kind test pressings. All come from the EDISON co. archives. Sound quality of these nearly 80-year-old sides is remarkably good. The HOT DANCE album has a 12 page booklet, including seven that detail the EDISON records story.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 68:17
January 14, 2007 |  | Beautiful Sound! Wonderful History |  |
This CD has beautiful sound quality notwithstanding the fact that it was mastered at the very beginning of the electrical recording era. These cuts are almost impossible to get anywhere else. Very fine job.
March 31, 2003| | | AN EXCELLENT CD OF "HOT" DANCE BANDS OF THE 20'S | |
EVEN 1920'S JAZZ COLLECTORS ARE UNLIKELY TO HAVE HEARD THESE RARITIES, THIS SET IS HIGHLY ENJOYABLE, AND FEATURES SOME HOT SOLOS, AND IS VERY JAZZ ORIENTED. ASIDE FROM A COUPLE OF BAD BAND VOCALS THIS CD IS GREAT. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, ESPECIALLY TO COLLECTORS OF 20'S JAZZ, WHO ARE UNLIKEY TO HAVE ANY OF THIS MATERIAL.
September 8, 2000| | | Great roaring 20's dance bands ! | |
If you like the later 20's dance music you will be pleased. Very good lively tunes. I hope they decide to issue more in this series. Highly recommended !
April 2, 2000More reviews at Amazon.com ...
