hey everyone I've been curious about this band for a while and was wondering which CD versions of their music have the best sound quality. Also....where do I begin?
Hi! I only own their phenomenal debut I have the wonderful-sounding Japan ERC-32005 CD from 1988 I think there was a mini LP version, but it was compressed and eq'd. Avoid that one mate
Begin with "Retrospective" which has most of the best tracks from there first 3 albums. It sounds good too!
Only have 3rd "better late" by HTM. Pleasingly mellow and good sound quality on the CD with two extra tracks.
Their three studio albums are all great. There have been archival releases that are good but more for serious fans. I haven't heard the reunion albums.
'Happy The Man' and 'Crafty Hands' are excellent. 'The Muse Awakens' is also worth owning. I'm not sure there is much difference in the original CD and various reissues. Wayside Music has most of their releases. And if you wanna go deep, Stan Whitaker & Frank Wyatt released Pedal Giant Animals in 2006 and I like that one too.
Besides the Japan issues there have been three releases of both of their first two albums on the following labels: - One Way Records: masters prepared by HTM keyboardplayer Kit Watkins - Musea - Esoteric Recordings AFAIK the Musea and Esoteric editions are sonically identical to the One Way's. Those two albums are simply the finest examples of 70s American progressive rock.
Kit Watkins remixed the first album for the One Way CD reissue. I think the same thing was done to Crafty Hands as well.
Officially it state "Audio Enhancement And Digital Remastering" which doesn't sound like remixing to me.
That's a pretty vague term used for a mastering process but from what I remember since I was and still am on The Artist Shop mailing list is that they were remixed by Kit Watkins and were well received by the fans after their release.
For the first time in ages listening to HTM’s debut (cd, One Way edition) and boy, is this music good and what a helluva job Ken Scott did recording it.
