Dr. Philter Banx - High Heels And Mirrored Thighs (Vinyl)

This video is for the purpose of entertainment only...
The images used within my video are taken from photos & scans of my personal vinyl LP jacket/cover/labels, original Canadian pressing of
Dr. Philter Banx - "Insertion In Middle "C": Mood Moog Music (Scientifically Programmed For Intimate Couples)" (1975) on the Criminal Records label of London Ontario, Canada.
The audio transfer was done with an Oracle Delphi MKIII turntable, an SME45 tone arm, and a Vanden Hull MC-10 MC cartridge. Though I suppose after digital transfer to mp3, compression etc...all this is irrelevant.

At the time of it's release this album went virtually unnoticed. This is partially due to a couple things; limited number of pressings issued, and the misleading album cover artwork which resembled that of the infamous "Deutsche Grammophon" label, prompting many to think it was a classical music release. Upon my first glimpse of the LP in a used record bin in Calgary around 1978 I passed it off as just that. Though after studying it a little closer on my second visit to 'Hot Wax Records', curiosity got the best of me and I succumbed, forking over the $2.50 the proprietor was asking. I came across two other copies during the early 80's nestled in a milk crate at a used book store for around the same price. Had I known the album was to become so highly collectable, I would have bought those too.

The album is a nice mix of electronic/experimental mid 70's progressive rock...tons of great Moog synth, guitars, loops etc. Similar I suppose to what some of the French "EGG" recording artists were doing at the time; Heldon, OSE, Patrick Vian, Alain Markusfeld, etc. It's broken into two lengthy instrumental pieces, each taking up one side of the LP. For me, the stand-out is Side 1 with it's intensely trippy "High Heels And Mirrored Thighs". This in my opinion is a good as it gets regarding this style of music, rivaling anything any of the aforementioned artists have released.

A bit of background;
The story goes, Dr. Philter Banx - "Insertion in Middle C" was recorded by a studio collective project in 1975 attending Fanshawe College in London, Ontario Canada. The 8 track recording was done at Creative Electronics Studio, located at the College. Phil Ross was the key musician for the project...he was the Doctor in "Dr. Philter Banx".
The LP saw a limited release on the students own private label 'Criminal Records'. and was the only recording ever released on the label. It was sold locally and appeared on the shelves of local record stores and was also available by mail order through Rolling Stone Magazine.

The stunning 'Deutsche Grammophon' mockery cover artwork was by Ford Evans. The photography was by Randy Dunlop. The album was produced by Robert Leth, who now resides in Halifax Canada and works in the sustainable energy industry. He is the President of Breton Windworks Inc.
Upon release of the album, Dr. Philter Banx team had thought a second pressing was in order. That idea was challenged when the 'Deutsche Grammophon' company contested the validity of the album. They claimed that the album cover artwork was mocking their label (which it was) and that Dr. Philter Banx had illegally made use of the German labels well known design. The financially challenged students relented when they were hit with a Cease and Desist Order by the German recording label, ordering them to appear in German court. Due to financial instability, the team decided to give up at this point. Since then the album has become a sought after collectors item fetching upwards of $200.00 or more depending on condition..

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dr
• Philter
• Banx
• Electronic
• Experimental
• Progressive
• Rock
• Canadian
• Music
• 70s

[lethrobert]

Nice job on the video ! As correctly identified, I was the producer of the original album, Robert Leth. Still can't believe the attention this thing enjoys, even after all of these years. Down to my last 8 mint, sealed copies, out of only 500. Maybe it is high time that this thing got re-released.

Cheers,

Robert

[drprogensteinphp]

@lethrobert

It's an honour sir ...splendid production job ;)

Yes...a re-release is a great idea. Surprised this hasn't happened already, considering how many obscure 60s/70s gems have undergone the recent reissue craze.

Cheers!

[drprogensteinphp]

@lethrobert

Please let me know if you would like to part with one of your mint sealed copies...I would love to own one...or two :)

[buggadugg]

Wow, did Viagra miss its marketing calling card.

[drprogensteinphp]

@buggadugg

It might appear that way...perhaps I should include "Viagra" within the video tag?

[ou812uc]

Totally enjoyed this mood music...and the video fit the tune...enjoyed that as well!! All that were missing were some fresh handpicked shrooms!!! hehehehe...Thanks for uploading and enlightening my Guru friend...Peace

[drprogensteinphp]

@ou812uc

Yes...moody moog music! Very trippy indeed. I'm really surprised none of the more recent CD reissue labels known for re-issuing 70's obscurities haven't picked up this one yet. It's a bit of an underground home-grown obscurity. No masters are to be found either. But I'm sure one of those labels will catch on at some point, and use a decent vinyl rip as a source. Noticed a few people are blogging about this LP, and even one site did a bio. Sadly his info source is waay off the mark.

[elephanta2]

Your selection and videos are sophisticated with light humour, far different from mine. Also, you get many watchers, this point is also totally different from me, HAHA! Well, I hardly know Canadian prog rock artists, I want to try Bregent (& Dionne), but I have no money. This music and video makes me feel good, thanks!

[RRRSHINO]

Beatiful tune with tender atmosphere!

And interesting video（＾＾）

[jeffthrow6892]

@drprogensteinphp -- Yeah.....I did read that........thanks again, as always!