Ten LP Kinks Mono Box Cut by Kevin Gray From Original Analog Masters

A "Kinks in Mono" box set is due for release overseas shortly and in America on December 16th.

The good news is that all of the original albums in the box were cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Mastering supervised by Andrew Sandoval, using the original UK Pye NPL analog masters.

Only the 1970 compilation "twofer" The Kinks (the double black jacket hits package) was digitally sourced, which makes sense for a compilation. Flat digital transfers of the original analog masters were used to produce the high resolution cutting files, which were matched to an original pressing for level, track spacing, etc.

In addition to the Kinks first eight albums the box includes Live at Kelvin Hall, plus the previously mentioned "black" twofer. The box also includes a forty eight page hardcover booklet featuring never before seen photos and new interviews with Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avery.

When I interviewed Ray for The Tracking Angle back in the 1990s, he wasn't particularly enthusiastic about vinyl. Glad he's had a change of heart and even happier that this box is being done AAA!

COMMENTS
vinyl_lady's picture

Thanks Michael. I was just getting ready to email you and ask if you knew the source and presto--I have my answer. I'm really looking forward to this box set. IMO, the Kinks are the most under appreciated British Invasion band.

TommyTunes's picture

Thanks for finding this out. Just preordered it, worth the price just for a mono copy of Something Else and Village Green.

zachari6's picture

Are the first four of the box set the four that were released last year for the Kinks 50th? If so will they be sold separately, I don't want to purchase the first four again but I sure would like the others.

Michael Fremer's picture
In stereo?
zachari6's picture

and cut by Kevin Gray from the original Pye masters.

Martin's picture

Why can't the Rolling Stones???

Michael Fremer's picture
This box does not include American Kinks albums too, and the Pye tapes are controlled by Ray. The Stones history is far more complex. I'll cover it when I write the box review..
Martin's picture

To call the Stones history far more complex is still a huge understatement.
Tracks recorded in different studios in different countries, sometimes mono mixes only, some stereo mixes only, some both mono and stereo mixes done. Some released. Some not released. Some released later in corrections. Some released by mistake.
Tracks recorded and mixed in stereo, folded to mono for release, then futzed to make fake stereo from the mono fold downs...

And of course the wildly varying sound quality, depending on where they were and who was in charge. Or not.

RobWynn's picture

Popmarket has the box at a slight discount until noon tomorrow - $175 instead of $200.

If the site opens up on the Chicago box, just click the right arrow button on the bottom left side of the picture (where most of Chicago is sitting).

I too bought the first four LPs earlier this year, but figure the boxed price is too good to pass up (even though I'm currently between jobs). Besides, I can probably cover the cost by selling those 4 if need be.

Even with counting the 2LP set at 1 item, the per LP cost of the box, list price, is actually cheaper then the individual titles ($22 vs $24).

Why can't the Stones do the same, indeed! Lucky for me I prefer the early Kinks to the early Stones.

hg's picture

Thanks for the tip - pulled the trigger on this just under the deadline. I'm in the same boat as you - have the first 4 mono releases but I'm sure I will find a willing buyer for the extra copies. Can't wait for the VGPS!

RobWynn's picture

Felt I have a duty to let you know that it is now available for $150.

I just cancelled my original order, and placed a new order.

buhaina_delight's picture

Thanks for early x-mas gift + the discount info. I have the first four, but want the set. I will sell others to recoup $ while enjoying this set. I hope for a Small Faces / Immediate records set.

RobWynn's picture

Felt I have a duty to let you know that it is now available for $150.

I just cancelled my original order, and placed a new order.

Rodrigo Lopez's picture
Lothar's picture

Village Green Preservation Society. I have a UK Pye stereo original, which I love, but I also have the 'black album' which contains several VGPS tracks in mono and damn they sound nice. Been wanting a UK mono for a very long time, just can't justify US$800 ~ $1,000 for one...so I wonder if VGPS will be issued as a single LP like the other Kevin Gray remasters haven been?

orthobiz's picture

Guess it's not included?
Paul

Gardo's picture

Is "Best Of The Kinks: 1964-1970" all analogue? I haven't seen that confirmed anywhere. Just for reference, this is the LP I mean: http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/115113/The_Kinks-Best_Of_The_Kinks_196...

bongo-hifi's picture

Any information on where the LP's are being pressed for US and European pressings respectively?

bongo-hifi's picture

I emailed GZ to enquire if they were pressing this set. Initially they were very guarded and reluctant to give a straight answer. finally after some persistence and several emails GZ confirmed that they were doing the pressings.
GZ has a rather inconsistent quality control reputation

http://www.forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/pressing-quality-or-normal.457...

Lemon Curry's picture

On my door step last night - Village Green went straight on the table. Sounds GREAT. Dead quiet, sweet sound and instrument articulation. Well done!!

fishbone35's picture

Hey Mikey, I'm looking forward to your review of this set. Do you plan to evaluate it in the near future?

gullgrey@hotmail.com's picture

But, how can this be AAA, when "Flat digital transfers of the original analog masters were used to produce the high resolution cutting files."

Shouldn't there be a 'D' among those 'A's, then, since, well "digital transfers [...] were used to produce the high resolution cutting files."

I bought the box and was very, very excited! Finally I had decent versions of the early Kinks records.

So far I've been through Kinks, Kinda Kinks and The Kink Kontroversy. And I must say the pressings are fine: no surface noise, perfectly centered etc.

But... I'm rally not happy with the mastering. They honestly sound like... Boomy, loads of sibilance, squashed. I bet this is just the 2011 CD-masters (made by the same guy btw) slapped on vinyl... Because that's what the kids want!

culabula's picture

They are all AAA. The comment about high resolution cutting files referred ONLY to the 'twofer' or Black Album.

In no way are these CD Masters "slapped on vinyl".

PS currently only 117€ on Amazon Italy.

culabula's picture
culabula's picture

They are all AAA. The comment about high resolution cutting files referred ONLY to the 'twofer' or Black Album.

In no way are these CD Masters "slapped on vinyl".

PS currently only 117€ on Amazon Italy.

davip's picture

...is where I got mine at the time for €117 (took three attempts to get the least-scratched copy though). Sold the five that I didn't want individually on Fleabay for ~ €100 and after the €20 that Amazon.it offered me for the inconvenience I got four desired Kinks mono vinyls + a nice box (which I use for my 12" singles) and a truly-splendid Kinks Koffee-Table book effectively for nada! Regarding that book, the detail in those 60s photos is Something Else -- you can see the nicotine-stains on Dave's fingers!

Lothar's picture

One online music seller's site I happened across had "awaiting repress" attached to the mono collection box. Does this mean anything? Is there actually any chance of a repress?

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