Michael Schenker Group/MSG Tape one Studios

A new definitive sound source is now available from the “Cozy Tapes” series, which releases rare sound sources that are coveted by hard rock enthusiasts! From the only studio album “MSG” (Japanese title: Mythology) co-starring Michael Schenker and Cozy Powell, a rare version of the official completed version “one step closer” has been miraculously discovered! This work is based on Koji’s London “TAPE ONE STUDIOS” cassette tape (with “MICHAEL SCHENKER” simply typed on the label), which was directly digitized using professional equipment. The masterpiece album in metal history will be highlighted with its natural studio sound and true appearance. A must-have for all metal enthusiasts, now available in limited quantities from overseas! In 1980, Michael Schenker left UFO and the SCORPIONS, which he briefly returned to, and began his long-awaited solo career. At that time, he was extremely popular in Japan, comparable to Ritchie Blackmore. What cemented his popularity was his collaboration with none other than Cozy Powell. After Schenker released the album “THE MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP” (Japanese title: Kami), he acquired Cozy immediately after leaving RAINBOW, and not only his popularity but also the band’s ability significantly improved. This composition of “Guitar Hero” and “Drum Hero” facing each other excited fans all over Japan at their first performance in Japan in August 1981. Prior to their first visit to Japan, the band began work on a new studio album from February to July 1981. Needless to say, this album is Schenker’s masterpiece, “MSG.” In addition to overflowing melodic beauty and sensual beauty, Schenker and Cozy’s collaboration has a heroic and dynamic explosive power, and it continues to be loved as a masterpiece of metal/hard rock. However, even with such a masterpiece, production and sound making have been talked about as negative elements since then. Ron Nevison, who was in charge of producing the album, clashed with Cosey over the album’s direction and rehearsals, and the finished work had a well-organized sound image and compact finish (as if with radio airplay in mind). Due to record company circumstances and scheduling issues before their first performance in Japan, the album was ultimately released with a “radio-friendly sound.” Although it was acclaimed as a masterpiece due to the quality of the songs, Cozy even went so far as to say that “it would be better to remix it.” For that reason, one wonders just how wild and wonderful the original sound of the album “MSG” that Koji, Schenker, and other band members heard in the studio was…If you are a metal enthusiast, you must have heard it at least once. Didn’t you wish you could listen to it? The sound source unearthed from “Cozy Tapes” this time is one that will bring you closer to the “truth of the album” that every enthusiast has dreamed of! When you play the disc, Koji’s drums reverberate dynamically and loudly, and battle with Schenker’s sharp guitar. In contrast to the overly organized sound of the finished version, this sound, which even has the feel of a raw studio live performance, was the true “MSG”! The master used this time is a London-based “TAPE ONE STUDIOS” cassette tape with “MICHAEL SCHENKER” written on the label. Although there is some tape-derived hiss and partial deterioration, you can enjoy the entire album in more than adequate condition as a rough mix sound source. You can check out the eight songs included in “MSG” in the same order and arrangement as the final version. However, the moment you listen to the songs here, you will be convinced of the “difference in sound.” In contrast to the final version, which emphasized the high range and had a bright but slightly light texture, this sound source develops a natural and powerful sound from the beginning of the first song “Ready To Rock”! The intro, with a flash of Schenker’s guitar and the roar of Cozy’s drums, is sure to surprise and delight enthusiasts who have listened to the final version. Even in “Attack Of The Mad Axeman”, the solid mid-range tone pours plenty of dripping moisture into the song (especially the middle part and guitar solo part are a must-listen). In Gary Burden’s singing, this wet sound makes the charm of his mid-low range stand out even more. “On And On” and “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”, where you can hear the rhythm count by Cozy at the beginning of the song, are especially great listening spots in this sound source. The tension and thrilling development of the song is like listening to a one-shot studio live recording right in front of your eyes. Schenker’s clear guitar playing and Cozy’s drumming, which hits one heavy blow after another, unfold as if right before your eyes. This rough feeling, the vividness that makes you feel like you’re in the studio, is the real appeal of “Cozy Tapes”! Following “But I Want More” and the melodious “Never Trust A Stranger” (also counted at the beginning), the supreme masterpiece “Looking For Love” explodes! Led by Koji’s count, the sight of the entire band going all at once in top gear is truly unbearable! If you listen to this song with its thick sound that embodies the dynamism of rock, with a tone that enhances the dark development of the song, you can understand Cozy’s comment that “the mix should be re-done.” ! Listeners won’t be able to take their ears off for a second until the last song of the main story, “Secondary Motion”, and will listen to it all at once! Furthermore, this work also includes “Attack Of The Mad Axeman”, “On And On”, and “But I Want” from the “Maxell UD XL1 C60” cassette tape (written as “MSG The 81 Selection” on the label), also owned by Cozy. Additional recording of demo/rough mix sound source of “More”. All of these are takes that are different from the main sound source, and are valuable materials that give you a glimpse of the song’s construction process (unfortunately, only “On And On” is a fragmentary take of about 40 seconds). These were previously included in Koji’s rare sound collection “ALIVE IN STUDIO 2”, but it has been about 10 years since that work was sold out and out of print, and it is one of the sound sources that has been highly requested by enthusiasts for reissue. The only thing I can hear here again is “I’m happy!”. While enjoying a single sound source, we will uncover the behind-the-scenes (or true nature) of masterpieces that were originally never heard or known. This is what makes collector’s items so interesting. If you are a rock fan, you may have listened to “MSG” to the point of getting tired of it, but after this work, it will have a different feel and you may be able to enjoy it with interest again. When playing this work, I would like all the enthusiasts to listen to the entire story with their eyes closed, if possible. Please enjoy the drama of all 8 songs (plus 3 bonus takes) while imagining Koji and Schenker in the studio! This work is a pair of the simultaneously released 2014 version “ASSAULT ATTACK DEMOS”, and is an extremely rare sound source from the Michael Schenker Group. Taken from the original “Tape One Studios” cassette tape belonged to Cozy Powell (51:39) 1. Ready To Rock 2. Attack Of The Mad Axeman 3. On And On 4. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie 5. But I Want More 6 Never Trust A Stranger 7. Looking For Love 8. Secondary Motion Original Demos 1981 Taken from the original Maxell UD XL1 C60 “MSG/The 81 Selection” belonged to Cozy Powell 9. Attack Of The Mad Axeman 10. On And On 11. But I Want More