Artist
Cameo
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- Cameo primarily recorded on analog multi-track magnetic tape during their peak in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Pressing Plants:
- Core records were often pressed at facilities like RCA and Columbia Records pressing plants.
- Lacquer Cut:
- Their music features strong bass frequencies, which can lead to inner-groove distortion if not cut properly, affecting playback quality.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors should look for matrix runout codes such as 'A-1' or 'B-1' to verify authentic 1st pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- Dating back to 1986, the original Atlanta Artists pressing stands as the definitive vinyl grail for Cameo collectors.
- Best Reissue:
- For an accessible alternative, the 2016 Funky Town Grooves 180g remaster of 'Word Up!' delivers exceptional pressing precision.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The dense multitrack vocal harmonies and electronic sub-bass frequencies characteristic of Cameo's production demand a stable microlinear stylus to prevent high-frequency sibilance.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Crate companions that natively share this specific vinyl profile include Zapp (Warner Bros.) and The Gap Band (Mercury).
