Corn-Fed Productions

[Rootsman]

Was any of the RA people ever on the mailing list for these productions and can provide me with a definitive list of what was issued on CD. Please PM me if you prefer.

Also can anyone give me some info on Eastern Star Records. I have aquired a CD called "Roots Earthquake Vol 1" and it has some superb 70`s roots all in discomix format.

Thanks and Regards

Dave

[AnorakTrev]

Hi Dave
Try this link : http://www.discogs.com/search?q=corn+fed&type=all

Just a few reggae releases here , also the Keith Hudson " Pick-A Dub " and " Brand " twoofer to add to that as well

[Stick-a-Bush]

I remember seeing those 'Corn Fed' discs on eBay - they kept popping up when I was looking for something else.

The 'European fan club pressing' spiel was just a cover for some guy knocking out CD-Rs in his bedroom wasn't it?

[Mark]

Also can anyone give me some info on Eastern Star Records. I have aquired a CD called "Roots Earthquake Vol 1" and it has some superb 70`s roots all in discomix format.

Dave

This is what a seller of the disc on Ebay says:

Original Japanese pressing - factory pressed silver disc in plain insert case with paper slip.

Rare and never to be released CD of absolute killer roots tunes.
Slated for release in 2008 through Japanese label 'Eastern Star' this disc was their first project - and last. Formed as part of a bigger group of reissue labels, they went out of business before this could be completed - only the factory-pressed CDs remain. I have several of them because I was involved in the audio remastering of the tunes.

The disc is still an sbsolute must-have for roots music fans, containing several of the hrdest to find tracks in the world of roots, like the Mighty Abidjans 'Guiding Light, the rare 12" mix of Barrington Levy's 'Praise His Name' and an unreleased FULL mix of Leroy Smart's 'Jahoviah' which had only previously been available on 2 sides of a 12.
There isn't a bad tune on this compilation, just check out the track listing! and they all sound absolutely incredible. It's a real shame the project didn't work out... but for the lucky few who are quick enough to grab this disc, at least it won't be entirely forgotten!

[Rootsman]

Thanks Mark

That just about sums up the disc, its a real gem. I was actually sent it as a freebie with some other discs that I had ordered, so it was a real nice surprise.

Stick-a-Bush

You are correct in saying that Corn-fed productions are CDRs but to say they were knocked out in some guys bedroom rather under sells the quality of them.

The sound quality is on on a par, if not better, than anything that has been put out by B&F, Pressure Sounds, Auralux, Heartbeat etc etc. And the inserts better a lot of the 2nd rate issues put out by Abraham, Rhino et etc.

And its music of the highest order.

Dave

[Stick-a-Bush]

Stick-a-Bush

You are correct in saying that Corn-fed productions are CDRs but to say they were knocked out in some guys bedroom rather under sells the quality of them.

The sound quality is on on a par, if not better, than anything that has been put out by B&F, Pressure Sounds, Auralux, Heartbeat etc etc. And the inserts better a lot of the 2nd rate issues put out by Abraham, Rhino et etc.

And its music of the highest order.

Dave

Right. I was under the impression that whoever was behind them had been ripping his own vinyl or downloading mp3 vinyl rips, burning the tracks to CD-R and putting these up on eBay (i.e. something that anyone here could do, if so inclined) along with a grand cock-and-bull story about 'private pressings' to avoid looking like your typical music pirate and getting his auctions deleted.

I certainly remember seeing complaints about those discs online a few years back...

[Rootsman]

Stick-a-Bush

I think you will find that the complaints centred around a thread about the exorbatant price that one of their productions "Misty In Roots Singles Collection" was being asked by a seller who was nothing to do with the Cornfed crew.

Think it was on B&F if I can remember rightly. The thread also bought up the subject on the non legitimate nature of these CDR`s.

I beleive the original vinyl source were all from privately owned collections in Holland and a small group of people got together to put out a few albums that had never been reissued in any format.

These albums were then transferred to CDR by a professional remastering set up in England and these CDR`s sold in limited numbers via an exclusive mailing list of 100 members.

One of the rules of this membership was that it was not permitted to sell on the CDs but over the years they have gradually began to appear on ebay seller actions.

But hey, I wasn`t posting this thread to get into the rights and wrongs of them. I own a few of them and I think they are superb and just wanted to know just exactly how many titles were issued and what they were.

[seewhyaudio]

Hi all,

I was told this stuff had begun to appear on blogs... time to stop the speculation.

I was the audio engineer involved, I worked for a shy bunch called 'Corn-Fed' who commissioned me to work on several titles through the early to mid 90's. I was 'paid' in discs and that's what you see appearing from time to time.

these guys put a lot of effort ito finding stuff and sharing the costs. They had 'about a hundred' members from the NL, Germany and EU region - I'm not sure really. A collective if you prefer.

Was it right to work for them? I'm afraid that's up to others to judge but I'd hope that people realize my real objective was to help them get some good quality roots music back into circulation, in the face of some really shoddy 'official' releases, that seem to be happening still today.

I spent WAY more time on this work than I've ever been rewarded through limited sales... though I am surprised at how much the titles have gone for in the last few weeks on eBay, I freely admit that it's saved my financial situation this Christmas. I haven't had a single complaint yet from any artist or label. I hope that doesn't start now... and don't forget this stuff is YOURS if you are the artist or label. I really WANT it to get a proper release.

I also really wish the CF guys would make themselves known, just to take some of the attention away from me. I don't want this to work out for the worst... legally speaking I'm stufed but it takes someone to object enough to what happened. I really hope this hasn't hurt anyone.

[Rootsman]

Hi Seewhyaudio

Personally speaking I have no complaints whatsoever and as you know I have bought sevaral discs from your good self.

To me they have been well produced, the sound quality is superb and they are better packaged than many of the so called genuine releases that seem to regularly appear on some obscure label.

Ok, maybe the prices they are fetching is over the top, but this is not your fault as the bidding process determines the final price and the item will only sell for what an individual is willing to pay.

From my perspective I wish there were many more Corn-Fed releases of great reggae albums to choose from. There is far too little great reggae music getting the release it deserve and I salute the releases they have been put out.
Those I have bought from you have been great additions to my collection.

So a big thanks from me for your efforts and no complaints whatsoever.

Regards

Dave

[Dubbaddikt]

Wow i have two Corn Fed CDRs, one is a dub compilation of about 20 dub b-sides and is excellent; the other is a shorter roots one with about ten tracks and their dub versions. Both are top quality with little or no background noise and the choice of tunes is without fault.I bought them on ebay years ago and have never heard about CF since this post.