The Velvet Underground (Vinylphyle LP)

AN IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE VELVET UNDERGROUND — THE VELVET UNDERGROUND VINYLPHYLE EDITION

During the production of the Vinylphyle edition of The Velvet Underground, our team returned to the original master tapes with the intention of presenting the album’s original “Closet Mix” on vinyl. 

Following the release, we discovered an issue within the tape archive: the master tape for Side Two of the Closet Mix had previously been spooled onto the reel associated with the album’s Valentin mix, while the Valentin Side Two master had been placed on the Closet Mix reel. 

As a result, the Vinylphyle pressing contains the correct Closet Mix on Side One, but the Valentin mix on Side Two. We take the archival accuracy of the Vinylphyle series and all UMe releases seriously. The correct Closet Mix Side Two master has now been identified, and we are having a new Side Two cut directly from that tape.

We will repress the LP with the full Closet Mix and provide the corrected version to everyone who purchased the Vinylphyle edition at no additional cost.  

Customers who choose to receive replacement discs do not need to return their original copy.  We will share additional information regarding timing and fulfillment as soon as the replacement discs are ready. 

If you would prefer to return your order for a full refund, please visit https://returns.udiscovermusic.com/ or contact Customer Service, who will be happy to assist. 

We are grateful this discrepancy was brought to our attention and appreciate the engineers and archive team who helped trace the issue back to the source.

The Velvet Underground's self-titled third album marked a striking evolution for one of rock's most influential bands. Released in 1969, the album traded the abrasive experimentation of its predecessors for a more intimate, melodic approach, revealing a new emotional depth on songs like “Candy Says,” “Pale Blue Eyes,” “Beginning to See the Light,” and “After Hours.” This Vinylphyle edition presents the original "Closet Mix", Lou Reed's intimate original mix of the album which featured on the very first pressings of this LP in 1969. Features new liner notes by Scott B. Bomar, four-time Grammy nominee and author of Southbound: An Illustrated History of Southern Rock.

Each Vinylphyle release features all analog mastering from original sources by an elite group of today’s top vinyl cutting engineers (unless sequenced analog masters don’t exist). The LPs are pressed at the world-class audiophile vinyl record pressing plant RTI, on 180-gram black vinyl. The production and packaging seek to honor the stature of these recordings and include tip-on wrapped gatefold jackets in satin matte finish, printed on clay-coated board, with archival poly sleeves and a four-panel insert featuring new liner notes. Backed by RTI’s craftsmanship, these releases are produced at the highest levels and include extensive quality controls at every step of the process, from mastering to plating to pressing and printing, ensuring an exceptional final product.

SOURCE: AAA. 1969 "Closet Mix" Stereo Album Master — Joe Nino-Hernes.