via wikipedia:
"Soothing Sounds for Baby (1964) is a three-volume set of ambient electronic music by American composer, musician, and inventor Raymond Scott. Scott originally intended to lull infants to sleep with the music, but later generations have found value in the music for its minimalist aspects, often comparing it to the works of Brian Eno, Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream despite having predated such artists by more than a decade.
Originally released in collaboration with the Gesell Institute of Human Development[1], the volumes are split up into three age groups: Volume 1 is 1 to 6 months; Volume 2 is 6 to 12 months; and Volume 3 is 12 to 18 months. The music gets more complex with each volume. Scott created much of the music on the albums with instruments he created, such as the Electronium and the Clavivox. "Particularly on Soothing Sounds for Baby, Scott proved to be one of the first composers to merge the Brave New World of electronic sounds with a rhythmic pop sensibility."[2] Basta Music of Holland released the albums as a 3-CD set in 1997[2]."
Surprisingly you can currently find copies on eBay here.
Vol. 1 Track Listing
1. Lullaby
2. Sleepy Time
3. Music Box, The
4. Nursery Rhyme
5. Tic Toc
Vol. 2 Track Listing
1. Tempo Block
2. Happy Whistler, The
3. Toy Typewriter
Update: Per above I was surprised to see these on eBay. It turns out these are re-issues. Via Jeff E. Winner in the comments: "We issued CDs of all 3 volumes in 1997 — which are still in-print & selling very well — and these vinyl LPs, also still in-print. We have a 3-LP vinyl version of our MANHATTAN RESEARCH INC. compilation too (but it doesn't include the amazing, 144-page hardcover, full-color book):" link
Why is it a surprise? Those are the reissues we made, not original pressings.
ReplyDeleteThat's almost more surprising. How big of a demand was there for this?
ReplyDeletePretty big! We issued CDs of all 3 volumes in 1997 — which are still in-print & selling very well — and these vinyl LPs, also still in-print. We have a 3-LP vinyl version of our MANHATTAN RESEARCH INC. compilation too (but it doesn't include the amazing, 144-page hardcover, full-color book): http://RaymondScott.com/mripr.html
ReplyDeleteExcellent. Thanks for letting me know. I updated the post with this info. It will go out on Twitter and Facebook as well. Do you have a larger version of the "MANHATTAN RESEARCH INC." pic for a new post? If so email me. The contact link is on the bottom right of the site. BTW, check out the Raymond Scott label link at the bottom of this post to see what's gone up mentioning him so far.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I just now saw your request above for the image — I'll email you soon. Thanks.
ReplyDelete