ESP Disk Recordings with a Quad Notation

[Mark Anderson]

In the mid 70's I had heard the CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOOPEE BAND-Smoke Dreams and saw the mention of quad. It was suggested by some that it was Dynaquad encoded meaning they used a four channel encoder with the intention of using a decoder for quad playback. It was also listed in the QUAD Incorporated supplement in 1981. The back cover of the US ESP issue album mentions quad-super-stereo and the record labels state "to play this STEREO record in quad, connect a 3rd speaker to the + terminals of your amplifier.
The original Image Label release in Australia makes no mention of quad.
Well I gave that a try (also known as a hafler circuit) and wow, stereo recordings had a whole new dimension added to them! but that is not quad.

Currently the Popular Discography list the following and I am thinking it is time to move it to the NOT QUAD Discography

THE CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOOPEE BAND - Smoke Dreams. ESP Disk ESP-3009 (DY)
{The title above has been reported to be released only in quad with no stereo
version known, The original Australian release (Image ILP 724) was stereo
only}

My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes B/W Nagasaki. ESP Disk ESP 3010
(DY45)

Below is a list of other ESP disk recordings that mention quad that are being considered for the NOT QUAD Discography

ESP-1004 New York Art Quartet ‎–New York Art Quartet

ESP‎–1020 Albert Ayler ‎– Spirits Rejoice [Originally issued in 1965]
{to play your ESP album in quad, Convert your existing stereo system to QUAD
by connecting a third speaker to the + terminals to your amplifier}

ESP-1022 Marion Brown Quartet ‎– Marion Brown Quartet [Originally issued in 1966]
{Stereo compatible quad on inside cover, quad-super-stereo on record label}

ESP-2017 The Godz ‎– Godzundheit [Originally issued in 1973]
{This record is recorded in stereo-compatible QUAD. Convert your existing stereo system to QUAD
by connecting a third speaker to the + terminals to your amplifier}

ESP 3007 The Revolutionary Ensemble ‎– Vietnam 1 & 2 [Originally issued in 1972]
{Stereo Compatible Quad listed on back cover}

ESP-3008 Jim McCarthy ‎– Alien [Originally issued in 1973]
{This record is recorded in stereo-compatible QUAD. Convert your existing stereo system to QUAD
by connecting a third speaker to the + terminals to your amplifier}

ESP-3009 CAPTAIN MATCHBOX WHOOPEE BAND -Smoke Dreams [Originally issued in 1973]
{original Australian release makes no mention of quad, US ESP Disc version has the note
"attach a third speaker to the + terminals of your stereo amplifier to hear this record in
authentic quad"}

ESP 3013 Frank Lowe ‎– Black Beings. [Originally issued in 1973]
{Stereo compatible quad on back cover, quad-super-stereo on record label}

Your comments and suggestions are welcome

 

[Quad Linda]

Just like the ill-fated Billingsgate, these aren't Quad.

 

[quadtrade]

I had several and they were trying to sell records with fake news.

 

[quicksrt]

It’s insulting - and was damaging to the marketing of the real quad discs and tapes.

There should have been a law against it. Standards are there for a reason. But here it looks like they are calling an additional ambient speaker (3 speakers total) quad!

I do wish that high-res surround was within spect on DVD-V, because often the content data fits, but it’s not considered a part of the DVD-V spec, so we get a bit of lossy when lossless would have fit.

 

[fizzywiggs41]

FWIW my copy of Capt Matchbox did not sound all that great even via Sansui QSD 2.

Likely these are really just "recommended" via DY 4D setup , much the same as Brian Eno - Ambient 4 and other Eno discs , however much more happens in the rears on the Eno discs.


That being said I'm curious to hear the Burroughs disc , mostly talking I presume.