Pioneering music production processes including those of the Beach Boys and Phil Spector will be the subject of new research from a pair of ICMP academics and tutors. 

Jason O’Bryan, Programme Leader BA (Hons) Creative Music Production and Daniel Green, Teaching Fellow in Popular Music Studies, are to launch new research focussing on engineer Larry Levine including his work on Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound productions and the classic Beach Boys’ album, ‘Pet Sounds’, one of the most revered records in popular culture. 

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The pair will travel to the US to explore the music recorded by Larry during his time at the Gold Star studios during the fifties and sixties and later his work at A&M records.

The research aims to create a comprehensive study into the participants, the equipment, recording processes and how the music helped set the bar for contemporary music production. 

Jason O’Bryan said: 

“This project aims to develop new literature and analysis of Larry Levine, one of popular music recording pioneers. 

By requesting interviews with many of Larry’s friends and collaborators including the legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson, Phil Spector and Herp Albert, musician and label owner of A&M Records, we hope to uncover new insight into how these timeless pop records were made."

The book resulting from this research will be aimed at lecturers and students in the subject fields of music production, audio engineering, music technology and popular music studies.

The publication is expected to be suitable for all levels of study from FE students through to PhD researchers.

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