Phase II Pan Groove - Pan Rising

Story Time With Mr. Sanch
Pan Rising - Magnetic Levitation at Sunset Propels Len 'Boogsie' Sharpe and Phase II Pan Groove
Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) is a Physical phenomenon whereby an object is suspended in free space with no apparent support. In reality, a strong magnetic field is used to supply an upward thrust that balances the downward effect of gravity so there is no resultant vertical force. Hence the object is free to travel horizontally on a cushion of air if propelled appropriately.
One fascinating application of this technology is railway systems that allow trains to travel quieter, faster and smoother, with far less wear and tear than using conventional methods of propulsion. Maglev has brought the types of benefits to transportation that contactless optical pickups imparted to the audio industry when they replaced magnetic heads and phonographic styli.
Interestingly, Maglev may also encompass cultural icons and phenomena...
Sunset on the evening of March 08th 1986 ushered my lifelong career of ‘real-time’ digital recording. The venue was a cul-de-sac, the end of Damien Street Woodbrook Port of Spain, Panyard of musical guru, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, a genius born of self-proficiency, not of letters. The intriguing saga of ‘Boogsie’ and Phase II Pan Groove Steel Orchestra is one whereby innate skills and fertile imaginations couple inextricably with innovativeness and perseverance to achieve excellence and international acclaim.
My portable on-location recording system consisted of a pair of Brüel and Kjaer omnidirectional reference microphones type 4004, a Nakamichi DMP 100 Digital Mastering Processor and Sony Betamax slim-line video cassette recorder model SL 2000. Subsequently, a cassette entitled ‘Pan Rising’, the first of over 150 titles, was released. These were made available to ‘John Public’ in three quality levels with corresponding price points - Normal, Chrome and Metal Bias.
Replication was done from analogue master tapes made from the original digital recordings. Two Revox B77 two-track open reel machines running at ‘15 ips’, fed signals to sides A and B respectively of a bank of twenty Nakamichi cassette decks connected ‘in parallel’. It was a technique that I’d learned from the late, great mastering engineer Douglas Sax, founder of Sheffield Lab. It served me well for fifteen years.
I conclude that Pan Rising is a Maglev phenomenon that usually occurs at sunset; Lady Cheryl concurs.
Enjoy the music, comment and share; thank you.
SLS
19.11.15

[@charlesbarry971]

The most innovative pannist. This is one of the signature tunes of Phase 2 pan groove

[@waynemcdaniel3891]

I became a Phase II supporter when I first heard them played this...I have been a supporter of the band since that time.

[@ricardojohn3473]

ONe of the sweetest arrangements by the Boss.

[@ensenarts4038]

Awesome music!

[@charlesbarry971]

The inner parts are clearly heard.

[@Curtic888]

I still think that this is B# and Phase II best ever.

[@SanchElectronixLimited]

Thank you for your kind commentary, Curtis. Interestingly, 'Pan Rising' is the first commercial recording ever done by Sanch with Phase 11 (or any steelband for that matter). It was initially released as a 'real time' cassette in 1986.

[@AGB_HDV]

@@SanchElectronixLimited I had this cassette... The quality of the recording is exceptional... All of your recordings are... The best in the world... A supreme sound...

[@SanchElectronixLimited]

Thank you so very much Aldric.