Looking back to the late 1970s [see 'Investigation', Jan and Feb] it does seem remarkable that the same brief period saw both the rise of the small labels that promoted direct-cut recording, and the rapid emergence of digital recording. Of course, the underlying factor was the strength of the record industry itself. Although the hi-fi business had shot itself in the foot with quadraphonic, and consumers were now being distracted by video recorders, record sales would hold up well until the great recession of 1981. Yet the intense activity of the 1970s brought with it the beginning of an embittered analogue-versus-digital debate, particularly in America.
展开▼
