I recently had the pleasure of introducing someone to a phenomenon in the world of vinyl collecting of which they had no previous knowledge. And the subsequent discovery that six degrees of separation may actually be no more than two. That is the inclusion of record plant engineers and artists run-out groove matrix inscriptions. And the subsequent revelation that one of the 'Prime' instigators is possibly a friend of a friend.
Greetings from the folk in the record plant lacquer cutting room who expertly scratch that spiral of sound onto the face of your precious plastic platter. Expert engineers who can pull off mighty magic by squeezing the last few grooves onto a side right down to the label, without 'Groove Cramming' and losing sound quality, or spiraling two tracks concentrically onto one side to make a "three-sided" record! (Monty Python's "Matching Tie" album, or Handsome Beasts' "Breaker" EP, and others). Depending where you drop the needle it will play a different track!
Often It's the cutting engineer signing off or leaving his moniker on a plate. Good to know who cut what on what shift at the pressing plant, and a vital recognition of engineering skill. These are not just helpful for identifying pressings. More than just "Kilroy was 'ere"! Often they can prove critical identifiers in sorting your Mint first pressing from your budget reissue. Some bands and artists had more to say, some made more of a habit of it than others - some, who you would expect to embrace the subculture, never did. And sometimes, run-out messages show up in the least expected places.
There are coded messages, sound advice, whimsical meditations, political manifestos, hopes, worries, literary allusions and declarations of joy. From a simple signature to cryptic cocktail hour wisdom and enlightenment, the run-out matrix is a cutting engineer and artists playground.
Thanks George!
More about the King of the spiral scratch Here.
And I've started to catalogue the fine examples found in my own collection on Discogs.
That list can be found via this link
As for the connection to the erstwhile Mr P., I've no wish to be boastful or indiscreet, but my brother in law had some amazing connections.
Nuff said. ;)
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