Description

ATA Records – The Library Archive Vol. 3 (LP) [ATA Records ATA031]

The funky, atmospheric, evocative, and sometimes downright weird output of companies such as DeWolfe, Cavendish, Burton, and the ubiquitous KPM have always been a guiding inspiration for ATA Records, as evidenced in the spooky soundtrack vision of The Sorcerers, the big band brass of The Yorkshire Film & Television Orchestra and even in the soul-jazz of The Lewis Express & Outer Worlds Jazz Ensemble.

It only seemed natural for the team at ATA Records to scratch their own Library itch and so “The Library Archive Vol. 1” was born in 2019. Recorded over a series of sessions in the Aladdin’s Cave of vintage recording equipment that is ATA studios, it featured many of the ATA stable of performers. Released in 2021, “The Library Archive Vol. 2” still had the golden age of European Library music squarely in its sights, but this time the focus was drawn more to the off-kilter soul organ sound of Italian quartet I Marc 4.

These two volumes garnered praise from Library aficionado Shawn Lee (“Holy F*$K this sounds great! ATA really smash the classic British Library sound. 10 out of 10”) and the Don of British Library Music himself, Alan Hawkshaw. And so to “The Library Archive Vol. 3”: taking heavy inspiration from Jungle Obsession 9 by Roger Roger, and The Feed-back, as well as Blaxploitation era composers such as Willie Hutch and Melvin Van Peebles, and the masterful and ingenious Roy Budd, “The Library Archive Vol. 3” draws deeply from the well of library greatness.

Each track has been lovingly crafted with a keen ear for authenticity and the same eye for detail shown on ‘The Library Archive’ Vol. 1 & 2, recorded on the same instruments and equipment and with the same techniques as the music that inspired it, with a focus throughout on stripped-back rhythm sections topped by flute, vibes and vintage synths.

With three volumes now out and another currently in R&D, The Library Archive will stand as a testament to the love the ATA producers and artists have for the original composers and performers.