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12 Album Tracks Released On 12 Different Formats

By Marc Chacksfield

16 December 2014

In a few years time, kids will look with bafflement at the shiny pieces of plastic in the loft and wonder what those 'compact discs' ever did.

There is no doubt that music is moving full steam towards releasing through a purely digital medium, yet there are those that still love the physical aspect of a record. And this fantastic release seeks to celebrate the history of physical formats in one single album.

Legendary producer Trevor Jackson (of Playgroup, and others) will release his first album in 14 years, F O R M A T, in February next year. It consists of 12 songs, each carried on a different format: 12", 10" and 7" vinyl, CD, mini CD, cassette tape, VHS, USB, MiniDisc, DAT, 8-track cartridge and even a reel-to-reel. It will be premiered at an exhibition at The Vinyl Factory in Soho, London before all items are available individually (bar the reel-to-reel, which will be part of a full set) from formatvf.com.

Jackson commented, “Every copy of a physical recording is different, a real object that has its own little story - a one of a kind, personalised by the effort you put in to purchase it, each time you touch it, and the unique ritual that goes along with playing it. I want the people who purchase these items to feel special; they will be the only ones who possess these tracks in any form at that time. The fact culturally everything's become so convenient and easily accessible whilst in the process totally disposable is an important subject i needed to address with this project.”

Take a look at all the elements of F O R M A T below; we'll be off to the loft to dig out our old tape player, record player and, er reel-to-reel player so we can have a listen..

DISCOVER THE 20 CRAZIEST LIMITED EDITION ALBUMS HERE

[via Designboom]