Seven – Gardner Test/Master Pressing Disc

Listing from eBay (13 July 2016):

510 932-1: JAMES – Seven LP 1992 Fontana *GARDNER* TEST PRESSING

This is a Test Pressing copy of James’ “Seven” for Fontana in 1992. Features the hit “Ring The Bells” which was features on an episode of “The X-Files”. This copy comes from the personal collection of master engineer Brian Gardner (see below).

From the Collection of Brian Gardner:

This item is from the collection of Grammy Winner Brian “Big Bass” Gardner. A master engineer since the 1960’s, working on genres varying from classic rock, R&B, hip hop, and pop punk, Gardner collaborated with artists like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, 2 Pac, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Depeche Mode. Gardner, who mastered in the Bernie Grundman Studios, is famously known for his work on hip hop albums, particularly as the engineer for Dr. Dre. Gardner was a six-time Grammy nominee, finally winning “Album of the Year” for his work on Outkast’s “Speakerboxxx.” Many of his LP’s are acetates, reference discs and test pressings in pristine condition.This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of musical history; a record from the collection of the legendary Brian Gardner!

A Reference Disc is a 12″ lacquer (aluminum substrate coated with nitrocellulose) that is cut on a cutting lathe and can be played back immediately on a turntable. During the days when the LP was the industry format, Reference discs were commonly used to make decisions about mastering before actually going into production. Additionally, because a Reference disc is a first generation transfer directly from the analog master tape, a “Ref” is the closest one can get to the actual master from which the Ref was made. Reference discs are often “one of a kind” making them highly collectible. In addition, having a Ref disc puts one as close to the original master tapes as you can get!
Label: Fontana
Record Condition: Very clean shiny disc, no signs of play; NM (Played once or twice, no flaws, but a remote ever-so-slight amount of that shiny luster may be gone. Jacket will be virtually flawless, slightest signs of wear, maybe one bumped corner, or a hint of edge wear. Shrinkwrap, if still on, may have some stickers on it or minor tearing.)
Jacket Condition: comes with generic sleeve with pencil noting of title – see photos
Year: 1992
Matrix No.: 510 932-1

Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Born Of Frustration (4:22)
2. Ring The Bells (4:44)
3. Sound (6:40)
4. Bring A Gun (3:42)
5. Mother (4:20)

Side 2
1. Don’t Wait That Long (6:39)
2. Live A Love Of Life (4:18)
3. Heavens (3:56)
4. Protect Me (3:06)
5. Seven (3:24)

• Born Of Frustration :1992
• Bring A Gun :1992
• Don’t Wait That Long :1992
• Heavens :1992
• Live A Love Of Life :1992
• Mother :1992
• Protect Me :1992
• Ring The Bells / Ring Those Bells :1992
• Seven :1992
• Sound :1991