Cook Recordings, 1952-1966
"The recordings Emory Cook released on his Sounds of Our Times and Cook Laboratories labels reflected his philosophy of sound. An audio engineer and inventor, Cook used his recordings to demonstrate his audio equipment and manufacturing techniques. From 1952 to 1966 he recorded, manufactured and distributed some of the highest quality audio recordings in the world. His releases included Euro-American classical, U.S. popular, Caribbean popular, and traditional music, as well as a variety of mechanical and natural sounds.
Emory and Martha Cook donated their record companies, master tapes, patents, and papers to the Smithsonian Institution in 1990. Every title is being kept in print and is available for purchase. Administered by the Center for Folklife Programs and Social Studies, Cook Recordings is one of the ways the Center supports cultural conservation and continuity as well ass integrity and equity for traditional artist and cultures."
Smithsonian Cook, Folkways and Paredon Recordings
(As well as to say these records were a great kick to collect in the late fifties and on into the sixties until, as I remember reading, their factory burned down in Stamford, Connecticut . Great steam locomotive and other sound collections. Even an attempt to capture earthquake tremors in hi-fi, a literal promise to shake the plate glass and move the furniture with speaker power. Some of the absolute best Caribbean rythem stuff ever made available. Smithsonian Records is also responsible for the entire Folkways catalogue which is also available from them at the above site.)
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