The Vibra-Sound Recording Studio and label started in Schenectady or Rotterdam, New York circa late 1966. I’m not sure where exactly the studio was, but New York State business records list a residential address on Crestwood Drive in Rotterdam for Vibra-Sound, and also include a later starting date in 1969, with the business closing in 1992. However, several of the singles listed here such as the Heathens and Delirium are earlier, from sometime in 1967.
Nate Schwartz appears as engineer and also as a representative of the label in an local news item from the early ’70s. Initially the studio was located in Schwartz’s garage, with the control room in the basement without a window between.
Vibra-Sound had its own Vibra label, plus variations like Vibra-Sound, VSS, and others that were customized for the artist. Later productions often share publishing by Robert Barry Music BMI.
Below is a general discography in approximate chronological order of records made at Vibra-Sound / Vibrasound, with my comments.
Any additions or corrections would be appreciated, as well as info on any of the artists listed here.
45s:
Vibra L-103 – Elaine Brooks & the Pushers (Albany/Schenectady) “I’m So Blue” (Brooks) / The Pushers – “The New Thang” (C. Nelson) both published by Kama BMI
“The New Thang” is a cool instrumental with saxophone, tambourine and plenty of echo. I’m surprised to see what must be some connection to Kama Productions of Utica, NY in the publishing company (see the end of my article on the Roosters for more info on Kama and related productions).
Vibra L-104 – The Heathens (Schenectady, NY) – “The Other Way Around” / “Problems” (both written by Michael Dellario, arranged by Hooker-Stahl, Petticrew, Sheer & Marquez)
Maybe the most well-known garage single of the NY capitol region.
Vibra L-136 – Delirium (Mechanicville, NY) “I Need Your Lovin'” / “Never Comin’ Home” (both songs by T. Sullivan, Wall Music BMI)
A very rare single, and musically as good as the Heathens. If anyone has info on this band please contact me.
Vibra L-137 – The Dimensions (Latham, NY) – “The Pilot” / “Dimension Beat” (both by Federici, Federici, Olson and Speciale for Wall Music, BMI)
Another fine garage single, According to copyright records from February, 1967, The Dimensions were Martin Federici, Arthur Federici, Dominick Speciale and David Olson. I’ve also found a new clip from 1965 verifying the members of the group.
Vibra Sound 423702 – Sound with Brass – “Shine Down on Me” / “Lollypops and Roses / Wall St. Rag”
Vibra-Sound 121969 – The Changing Times – “Free As The Wind” / “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” 1969
Good versions of both songs, the capitol region being one of the few places where the Myddle Class had extensive radio play. Label credits for “Free As the Wind” give S. Trimochi, S. Lane in error, as the original song was a collaboration between Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and Rick Philp & Dave Palmer of the Myddle Class.
The Changing Times were from Mohonasen High School, Rotterdam, NY, with members Kurt Eastman, Mark Eastman, Gary Esposito, Bob Launders. and David Cilberti on vocals (thank you to David for his comment below)
USS 102 – The Chimes of Freedom (Scotia, NY) – “Did You Ever” / “Jungle Rock” (Hamilton, Francis, Pytlovany)
For more info on the Chimes of Freedom see my post on the group.
unreleased demo – The Concepts (Ravena,NY) – “Faces Come, Feelings Go” 1968. Presumably from an acetate, this track is on the Garage Beat ’66 vol. 2 CD
Hemlock VSS-2/09 – Art Anderson and the Anderson Family – “Don’t Come Knockin’ At My Door” / “I’ve Been Searchin’ in My Dreams” (both by A. Anderson, Robert Barry Music, BMI, ZTSP 140404, 1968)
Knight Records KN-1 – Marshall Hanson and the Hamps – “Dark Clouds” / “Waiting for My Love” (1966, State Music Productions, ZTSC122592/3)
Governor VSS-910 – Bob “Rebel” King and the Knights of Music – “Suspicious Illusions” (R. King) / “For the Good Times”
Al Knight Records VSS 2704 – Al Knight ”Dreaming Dreams of Yesterday”
Zep Records KN-4 Tim Ryan ”Angels in the Front Row”
Cobb 81935 – The Universal Set – “Ballad For Linda” / “Memphis Express” (both by E. Locke, Robert Barry Music, ZTSP 144640/1)
Darec VSS 81943 – The Dignitaries – “Steppin’ Out” (R. Gigliotti) ZTSP 144740
Hemlock 81946 – Cathy Lee, Anderson Family – “The Dark Side of the World” / “Our Side” (ZTSP 144893, Vibra-Sound 81946)
Kandy 101 – The Essentials – “Baby You Get to Me” (S. Wheeler) / “Oklahoma Blues” (F. Stay, S. Wheeler) both Robert Barry Music BMI, 1969
Kandy 82042 – The Essentials – “Sunshine Baby” / “Freedom” (both by Squeeky Stay for Robert Barry Music BMI, Vibra-Sound 82042, ZTSP-221980, 1970)
JC 82017 – 2nd Foundation – “Wipe Out” / “I Am The One” (D. Spensley, Robert Barry Music) (ZTSP 221697/8) – instrumentals produced by Johnny Cefala
Katy VSS 2705 Dusty Atcher and River Valley Boys – ”Right, But I Think It’s Wrong”
Little Records VSS-82043, Jimmy Lane and the Incredible 5 – “Deal With It” (J. Lane) / “What Kind of Man” (S. Brooks, J. Wortham) (both Robert Barry Music, BMI, A Little-Mickens Production, ZTSP 222378, Vibra-Sound 82043)
Jinhea DC-100 – Squeeky Stay and Mark Galeo – “Slippin’ Away” / “Mrs. Jones”, early 1970s
Rambler 2712 – Jerry Madore and the New Prairie Ramblers – “Wishing” / “Blue Blue Eyes”
EROS Records VSS 1239 – The Ridgerunners – “Stop, Look and Listen” / “King and I” (Robert Barry Music, produced by Watrobski Enterprises Broadalbin, NY 1973)
CMS 5105-40 – Billy D. Hunter, the Country Joe Revue “My Heart’s Still Doin’ Time” / “Old Five & Dimers” A Conway-Murray Production
476-45P – Bunz Rock Show – “Doctor Rock & Roll” / “Raw Power” (both by S. Atwood, C. Cirrone, B. Deitz, R. Hull, 1976)
Neon Records 6084-24 – Skip Johnsen – “My Friend John” / “I Like You” (1976)
Sit’ n Bull 6072-31 – Night Conference – “I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)” / “Kansas City” (1976)
Alan 7054-25A – Alan Burn “Unless You’re Born Again” / “Jesus the Healer” with James Caulfield (backup vocal), and musicians Ernie Burnell, Joe Latorra and Mark Carnival
Also many square dance records on the Jay Bar Kay Records label by the Rustlers and others
LPs:
Vibra-Sound 8014N5 – The Common People – Come Rest In My Heart (need confirmation of this one)
VRS-741 – Yankee Doodle Band – Yankee Doodle … Comes To Town
Vibra-Sound 82031 – Birdcage Beat: The Moods & Sounds of Go Places with General Electric 1969
82055/6 – The Golden Fox Steakhouse Presents Live the Vito Mamone Trio and Carlos & Rosita (The Chaynas); Lou Mauriello, technical assistant.
Brian Kirschenbaum and Max Waller provided many additions to the discography.
I am inquiring about the JC 82017 from Vibra Sounds Recording Studio. My father is the drummer on that record. Do you have a copy?
I have a copy of the 2nd Foundation. Would you like an MP3 of it?
Yes please! So upset I didn’t see this sooner
Reply t o my email and i will sent it to you.
Wow, it’s been awhile! juliepudvah525@hotmail.com. Thank you so much!
Hi Brian,
I’m wondering if you could also email me a mp3 copy of this (JC 82017 from Vibra Sounds Recording Studio) as well? JC was a family member. Thank you!
Sorry, i just saw this. If you got the mp3 already you don’t have to give me your email address.
Al Knight Records VSS 2704 Al Knight ”Dreaming dreams of yesterday”.
Katy VSS 2705 Dusty Atcher and River Valley Boys ”Right, but i think it’s wrong”.
Zep Records KN-4 Tim Ryan ”Angels in the front row”.
Rambler 2712 Jerry Madore and New Prairie Ramblers
Should be added to discography list.
My uncle was Dusty Atcher he really started my musical career and its nice to find him surviving at least on the net thank you for preserving a very pleasant memory,from my uncle’s humble beginnings led to a very wonderful musical career for me thank you and thanks Big D Ray Blackwater
My father played drums with Dusty periodically while I was growing up. I loved going to his house for band practice!
I played with your dad many times Julie, loved him!
The Sound with Brass ”shine down on me” Vibra Sound 423702
Actually The Changing Times 121969A were a Mohonasen High School band. Members were Kurt and Mark Eastman, Gary Esposito, Bob Launders and David Cilberti was the vocalist. It was our first time in the studio. Nate Schwartz was in the control room engineering and directing. Unbeknownst to me at the time the Mauriello brothers were there listening. Several years later i became their lead vocalist in Fantasy and Electric City. Nate was our manager. I still have a copy if that 45.
Do you remember where the studio was?
My band The Sidesmen use to play with a group from Albany called The Changing Times we hired them to do a dance with us we put on. Also they played many battle of the bands with us a great bunch of guys back in 1966!
Nate Schwartz was my father. I’m going to compile what I can to contribute to this site, but I would love to hear any stories about him if anyone remembers.
I believe it was Nate Schwartz, who is the engineer where we recorded with Viber sound studio. It was either in 1967 or 1968 and the band name was The Concepts and I was the keyboard player.
I have a 7″ titled “Bunz Rock Show”. The A side is Doctor Rock & Roll. B side is Raw Power (no, not the Stooges) It was in my mother’s record collection and I can’t find any information online anywhere. Both tracks are attributed to S. Atwood, C. Cirrone, B. Deltz, R. Hull. It was recorded at Vibrasound Studios for BMI. Produced by Mouse for Sonic Hog Productions. Might anyone have any information on this?
Squeeky Stay and Mark Galeo ”Slippin’ Away” on Jinhea 100
The Dignitaries ”Steppin’ Out” on Darec 81943
EROS Records VSS 1239 The Ridgerunners ”stop, look, and listen”/”king and I” Robert Barry Music Produced by Watrobski Enterprises Broadalbin, NY 1973
My group The Bitter Taste recorded two songs in March 1969 at Vibra Sound studio. Nate was a great guy pushing the band to record at its best!
Hi Daryl,
Do the Bitter Taste songs still exist on a demo record or tape?
Nate was my dad. I’d love to hear any stories you can recall!
It would be great to put a compilation CD together of all the groups who still have their songs from Vibra Sound studio. If interested I would help in anyway I can. Daryl Patrick formally of Schenecatady
Nate was my father–I would love a compilation like this- or anything else you remember about him.
Wow! I lived on Bayberry Road, and babysat frequently on Crestwood. I am fascinated with the list of records coming out the studio I never knew existed! The only name I know is J. Hochanadel….from Lydia St, not Crestwood!!! Thank you for this fascinating list!!!
Did you ever babysit for Nate and Alice Schwartz on Crestwood drive? Bc I was one of those kids!
looking for any recordings or info on Jerry Madore.
Alan Burn ”Unless You’re Born Again” ALAN 7054-25A ”Jesus The Healer” on ALAN 7054-25A/B.