Description
Offered for sale is a limited edition U.S. half speed mastered audiophile edition of Point of Know Return by Kansas.
This was a part of Columbia’s short-lived Mastersound series of half speed mastered LPs issued in the early 1980s.
About this copy: This copy of Point of Know Return is a 1980 pressing on the Kirshner label.
The cover is VG+, with slight ring wear near the top edge and trace corner wear.
The generic Mastersound insert is missing.
The disc is M- with a couple of spindle marks on the labels, but no marks on the vinyl. Clean disc!
A nice copy of a scarce audiophile LP. Pretty good album, too.
Background: This particular pressing was part of Columbia Records’ short-lived (1980-1983) audiophile series, in which they released a number of then-new and vintage titles in high-quality, half speed mastered editions in order to compete with Mobile Fidelity and Nautilus.
These records were mastered with both the tape deck and the cutting lathe running at half speed, which produces deeper bass and better imaging than standard pressings. In addition, these records, which sold for a substantial premium over the regular pressings of the album, were pressed on high quality virgin vinyl. Mobile Fidelity’s audiophile pressings are better known than those from Columbia, but Columbia’s half speed mastered pressings are, for the most part, exceptionally good ones, and this album is no exception.
The 1977 LP, Point of Know Return was the fifth studio album by the band, and is Kansas’ best-selling LP, containing the hit “Dust in the Wind.” The album reached #4 on the U.S. album charts and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.
Allmusic.com gave Point of Know Return a 4 star review:
This is the definitive Kansas recording and includes their most famous tune, “Dust in the Wind.” The band is in peak form and also churned out the single “Point of Know Return,” which is still played daily on classic rock stations. While their pop-oriented approach and standard rock guitar sound helped define the classic rock sound of the ’70s, careful listening reveals that this band’s talent goes beyond colleagues such as Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Boston. Yet despite the minor inconsistencies and a dated sound, their interplay and superior musicianship make this both an essential classic rock and progressive rock recording.
| Country of origin: | U.S. |
| Size: | 12″ |
| Record Label: | Kirshner |
| Catalog Number: |
HZ 44929 |
| Year of Release: | 1980 |
| Format: | Stereo |
| Share: |       |
