"A Saucerful of Secrets." Album Description:
In the midst of the psychedelic era, the year 1968 witnessed the release of Pink Floyd's second studio album, "A Saucerful of Secrets." This 12" Vinyl LP, with the catalog number SCX 6258, stands as a testament to the band's experimental and groundbreaking approach to music during a transformative period in the world of rock.
Produced by Norman Smith, a notable figure in the British music scene, "A Saucerful of Secrets" followed the success of Pink Floyd's debut album, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn." The album marked a transitional phase for the band, witnessing the departure of the charismatic Syd Barrett and the emergence of a new creative dynamic within the group.
From a production standpoint, Norman Smith played a crucial role in shaping the sonic landscape of the album. His experience and expertise brought a level of professionalism that contributed to the album's polished sound. The careful production allowed the diverse musical elements explored by Pink Floyd to shine through, from atmospheric soundscapes to avant-garde experimentation.
The album cover, designed by the legendary art group HIPGNOSIS, adds another layer to the cultural and artistic significance of "A Saucerful of Secrets." Known for their innovative and surreal designs, HIPGNOSIS captured the essence of the music within a visual medium. The cover art became an integral part of the overall experience, reflecting the album's psychedelic and unconventional nature.
The release in Israel under the catalog number Portrait SCX 6258, made by CBS, highlights the global reach of Pink Floyd's music and the international impact of the counterculture movement. The fact that this album made its way to Israel speaks volumes about the widespread influence of the band during a time when music served as a powerful conduit for social and cultural change.
The music genre assigned to "A Saucerful of Secrets" – Acid, Psych, Stoner Rock – encapsulates the eclectic nature of the album. Pink Floyd delved into uncharted territories, pushing the boundaries of conventional rock music. The album became a sonic journey, inviting listeners to explore unexplored realms of musical expression.
Music Genre:
Acid Rock, Psych |
| Album Production:
Produced by Norman Smith
Norman Smith – Producer, Sound EngineerThe Beatles called him "Normal". Pink Floyd collectors call him the guy who made the chaos sound expensive. Read more... Norman Smith - the calm EMI wizard I still hear in the grooves whenever early Floyd turns the lights weird. He cut his teeth at Abbey Road, engineering The Beatles' EMI sessions from 1962 through autumn 1965 (yes, up to "Rubber Soul"), then stepped out from behind the glass as a producer. In 1967-1969 he steered Pink Floyd through "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn", "A Saucerful of Secrets" and "Ummagumma", keeping Syd's sparkle and the chaos on tape. In 1968 he produced The Pretty Things' "S. F. Sorrow", and in the early 1970s he shaped Barclay James Harvest (including "Once Again"). Later he even popped up as Hurricane Smith, because rock history loves a plot twist.
Album cover design: Hipgnosis
Hipgnosis – British album cover art design groupHipgnosis is my favorite proof that a record sleeve can be a full-on mind game, not just a band photo with better lighting. Read more... Hipgnosis is the legendary London-based art design group that turned rock sleeves into visual myths. The core duo, Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell, were childhood friends of the Pink Floyd inner circle in Cambridge—a connection that allowed them to bypass the stiff mandates of EMI’s in-house design department in 1968. Their debut, "A Saucerful of Secrets," was only the second time in EMI history (after The Beatles) that an outside firm was granted creative control. The very name "Hipgnosis" was a piece of found art; Syd Barrett, during one of his more enigmatic phases, scrawled the word in ballpoint pen on the door of the South Kensington flat he shared with the duo. Thorgerson loved the linguistic friction of it: the "Hip" for the new and groovy, and "Gnosis" for the ancient, hidden knowledge. While Peter Christopherson later joined as a third partner in 1974, that initial Barrett-endorsed moniker defined a decade of surrealist mastery for bands like Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and 10cc, before the group dissolved in 1983.
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Record Label & Catalognr: Portrait SCX 6258, YAX 3633 |
| Vinyl Format: 12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record |
| Year and Country 1968 Made in Israel |
