Ep517: Preserving the Westbound Sound

Ep517: Preserving the Westbound Sound

Author: The Vinyl Guide September 29, 2025 Duration: 1:11:13

Mastering Engineer Dave Gardner & Audio Archivist Catherine Vericolli discuss the preservation of the Westbound Records audio catalogue, including the masters of legendary recordings by Funkadelic, The Counts, Ohio Players & more.

Topics Include:

  • Dave Gardner (mastering engineer) and Catherine Vericoli (archivist) introduce their specialized roles
  • Mastering serves as link between creative process and manufacturing standards
  • Catherine transfers analog tapes to highest possible digital quality preservation
  • Physical restoration work includes extensive mold and splice remediation tasks
  • Much archival work involves "audio archaeology" detective work with clues
  • Working backwards from incomplete information when documentation is missing completely
  • Common assumption that old records were always done "the right way"
  • Reality reveals beloved records often weren't made using proper methods
  • Got rare access to examine entire Westbound Records collection together
  • Westbound Records started late 1960s by distributor Armin Bolodian in Detroit
  • Detroit-based independent label achieved regional success with multiple hit records
  • Funkadelic, Ohio Players, Detroit Emeralds were among their major successful acts
  • Complete catalog reissue approach rather than cherry-picking just popular hits
  • Assets moved between multiple locations over decades, not everything returned
  • Found various generations and copies of tapes for each release
  • Maggot Brain original masters were believed to be permanently missing
  • Discovery of missing masters hidden in completely unmarked white archive boxes
  • Original tape playback speeds rarely match speeds of vinyl releases
  • Spent entire week meticulously fine-tuning correct playback speeds for accuracy
  • Academic ethnomusicologist confirmed musical key was wrong on commercial releases
  • Many recent European reissues contain fundamentally inaccurate speed and sound
  • Double 45 RPM format avoids sonic compromises required for long sides
  • 27-minute album sides on 33 RPM required major audio quality sacrifices
  • All-analog cutting process preserves original sound character without digital conversion
  • Unreleased material exists primarily in unprocessed multitrack tape format only
  • Dennis Coffey played guitar on many more Funkadelic recordings than known
  • Analog tape degradation accelerating rapidly, especially problematic for digital formats
  • Cultural preservation mission drives their passionate collaborative archival restoration work
  • Asset paranoia and trust issues affect access to important historical recordings
  • Primary motivation remains saving irreplaceable music for all future generations

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
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