ATA Records: The Library Archive Vol.2 [ATA Records]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: ATA023

The spirit of KPM, DeWolfe and I Marc 4, distilled in a Leeds garage, returns for a second installment.

The funky, atmospheric, evocative and at times downright bizarre productions of companies like DeWolfe, Cavendish, Burton and the ubiquitous KPM have always been a fundamental inspiration for ATA Records, as evidenced in the haunting soundtrack work of The Sorcerers, the big band brass of The Yorkshire Film & Television Orchestra and even the soul-jazz of The Lewis Express (“Theme From The Watcher”).

For the ATA Records team, it felt natural to scratch their own library music “itch,” and so last year The Library Archive Vol. 1 was born. Recorded over several sessions in the Aladdin's cave of vintage recording equipment that is the ATA studio, it featured many of the label's regular musicians, who can also be found recording with The Sorcerers, Work Money Death and The Lewis Express.

With praise from library music aficionado Shawn Lee (“Holy sh*t, this sounds amazing! ATA really nails the classic British library sound. 10 out of 10”) and British library music “Don” Alan Hawkshaw himself, The Library Archive Vol. 1 was very well received, so a follow-up was inevitable. Recorded during autumn 2020, The Library Archive Vol. 2 still takes the golden age of European library music as its main reference, but this time the focus is more on the distinctive crooked organ of Italian quartet I Marc 4.

Opening track “The Glass Eye” kicks off with a tense bass riff, atmospheric percussion and a haunting organ melody. “Mosey Rambler” takes things to friendlier territory, before “Windie Man” sounds like the soundtrack to an early 70s sports roundup or a college party. “Ice Cool” introduces vocal elements reminiscent of Barbara Moore’s ethereal production, before “Cleared For Launch” blasts off into the stratosphere and “Swamp Cat” channels Johnny Hawksworth’s “Roobarb” theme and closes the A-side.

The B-side opens with the hard-hitting “Fight Or Fuzz,” before settling into the Addams Family-esque “Mysterious Manor.” The frantic organ and congas of “Push & Go” could perfectly accompany detectives Regan and Carter as they pursue another East End villain, while “Sensed Presence” brings a sense of supernatural menace. “The Actuator” sets the wheels in motion before the LP closer, “Going Galactic,” takes us back to the mothership.

Each track has been carefully crafted with a great sense of authenticity and the same attention to detail shown on The Library Archive Vol. 1, recorded with the same instruments, equipment and techniques as the music that inspired it.

The Library Archive is a labor of love from the label, with more volumes planned.