The Omega Site

A ReDiscovery Website

Demonstration Tape
D 1
Half-track mono: excerpts from 4003, 4004, 5002, 5007, 6001, 6005, 6008.
Demonstration Tape
D 2
PLAY
Excerpts from new releases. "Fidelity Unlimited: Hear the Difference!"

Beethoven: Piano Concerto 3 (Bernard Vitebsky) / Grieg: Holberg Suite (Mervyn Vicars) / Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata (Vitebsky) / Kodaly: Summer Evening (Vicars) / Jubilee (Armando Thomas) / The Continental (Gordon Kibbee) / Mambo Flamenco (Roman Marquez) / Tenderly ( Joe Howard) / Margarita (Maldonado) / When the Saints Go Marchin In (George Lewis)
Demonstration Tape
Jim Ameche
D 3
Excerpts from 2001, 3001, 4002, 4006, 4007, 4008, 5001, 5006, 6003, 6007, 7007. Jim Ameche explains "Fidelity Unlimited".
Demonstration Tape
D 4
Excerpts from Alphatape releases 1-10.
Music for High Fidelity Shows
John Doucette
D 8
A "showoff tape for your hifi set", it included classical and popular selections performed by The Hi-Los, Rudolf Albert, Pete Candoli, Hermann Scherchen, Frank Comstock, Anton Paulik, Bob Kenne, Gordon Kibbee, Gunter Wand, Mary Lou Williams, Anton Karas, Claude Bolling, Roger Wagner Chorale, Robert Craft, Peter Daily, Warren Baker, Carlos Molina:

The Birth of the Blues / Stravinsky: Firebird excerpt / I Love a Parade / Bach: Brandenburg Concerto 2 excerpt / Frantica / Strauss: Carnival in Rome / Mimi / The Continental / Beethoven: Symphony 9 excerpt / Avalon / Lili Marlene / Black Bottom Stomp / Adoro te Devote / Antheil: Ballet Mecanique / Swanee River / Tiny Tot Tarentella / L'Amento Guitano / Bach: Brandenburg Concerto 4 excerpt.

Illustrating some 18 different reels by surprisingly substantial excerpts framed by portentous opening and closing announcements. Omegatape’s recent technical advancements are excellently exemplified, as is the impressive diversity of its repertory. —High Fidelity
Jazz for Reel
Ralph Gleason
D 9
Complete excerpts from the Jazztape series. A panorama of jazz from early New Orleans to coolest New York jazz. Selections performed by Oscar Moore, Bob Gordon, Herbie Harper, The Hi-Los, Pete Daily, Frank Comstock, George Lewis, Laurindo Almeida, Bud Shank, Bob Keene, Kid Ory, Bob Enevoldsen, Mary Lou Williams, Paul Seversen, Marty Paitch, Carl Perkins, Red Mitchell, Larry Bunker, Ted Nash, Jerry Fielding, Maynard Ferguson, Milt Bernhardt, Alvin Stoller:

Dippermouth Blues / Swanee River / When the Saints Go Marching In / Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone / Memories of You / It Ain't Necessarily So / Body and Soul / Rockin' Chair / South of Brazil / Robin's Nest / I Ain't Gonna Study War No More / Godchild / Iron Works / Speak Low
Special Purpose Demonstration Tape
SPD7
Excerpts from Omegatapes, Jazztapes, and Alphatapes: complete listing.
High Fidelity Jazz
OT 1
See Alphatapes 1.
Lover
OT 2
See Alphatapes 2.
Beyond the Stars
Buddy Baker and his Orchestra
OT 3
See Alphatapes 3.
Latino
Carlos Molina and his Orchestra
OT 4
See Alphatapes 4.
Christmas Mood
Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 5
See Alphatapes 5.
High Fidelity Mood Music
Warren Baker and his Orchestra / Hollywood All-Star Orchestra
OT 6
See Alphatapes 6.
Gypsy Music
Lendway Kalman and his Gypsy Orchestra
OT 7
See Alphatapes 7.
Cha-Cha-Cha
Carlos Molina and his Orchestra
OT 8
See Alphatapes 8.
Hymns
The Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 9
See Alphatapes 9.
The Hi-Los' Hits
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
OT 10
See Alphatapes 10.
Gershwin: An American in Paris
OT 11
See Alphatapes 11.
The Hi-Lo's Rhythm
The Hi-Los
OT 12
See Alphatapes 12.
Four Moods for Orchestra
Norbert Pawlicki / Vienna Amusement Orchestra
OT 13
See Alphatapes 13.
Music of Mozart
Mervyn Vicars / London Mozart Ensemble
OT 14
See Alphatapes 14.
Exotic Latin Melodies
Sheldon Burton / London Pops Orchestra
OT 15
See Alphatapes 15.
Gypsy Encores
Budapest Radio Orchestra
OT 17
See Alphatapes 17.
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Sheldon Burton / London Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 18
See Alphatapes 18.
Songs from the Great West
Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 19
See Alphatapes 19.
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Vivian Rivkin / Dean Dixon / L'Orchestra Societe Francais
OT 20
See Alphatapes 20.
Coates: London Suite
Hans Hagen / London Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 21
See Alphatapes 21.
Vienna Nights
Anton Paulik / Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra
OT 23
See Alphatapes 23.
Music to What By?
Paul Nero and His Fiddles
OT 24
See Alphatapes 24.
Six Images for Orchestra
7 Hans Hagen / London Pops
OT 27
See Alphatapes 27.
Anton Karas, Mr Zither
Anton Karas / Hans Hagen
OT 2001
PLAY
Just a Gigolo / Cuckoo Waltz / Glow Worm / Lili Marlene / White Lilacs / Lobau / I Kiss Your Hand Madame / Potpourri of International Evergreens

A real Wiener-Prater delight, for its nostalgic tunes, zestfully lyrical playing, and effective combination of sharp- and soft-focus recording as best suited to the specific material. —High Fidelity
Music for a Blue Mood
OT 2002
The Orchestras of Andre Montero, Warren Baker, Buddy Baker:

Lover / I've Got You Under My Skin / Begin the Beguine / Just One of Those Things / Falling in Love with Love / This Can't Be Love / Beyond the Stars / Stardust / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / When  You Wish Upon a Star / Stars Fell on Alabama / Stairway to the Stars / Love Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere / Moulin Rouge / Ruby / World Events
Gypsy Music
Lendway Kalman Gypsy orchestra
OT 2003
Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade
Herbert Haffner / Vienna Symphonic Orchestra
OT 3001

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty
Sheldon Burton / London Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 3002
Some sources (including one early catalog) indicate that Romeo and Juliet was coupled with Don Juan (Richard Strauss), performed by the Paris Symphonic Society conducted by "Otto Strauss”.
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.
Strauss: Waltzes and Polkas
Anton Paulik / Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra
OT 3003
Blue Danube / Acceleration Waltz / Pizzicato Polka / Feuerfest Polka / Carnival in Rome / Swallows from Austria

Paulik uses a comparatively small, sprightly, but hardly polished orchestra, and sometimes condensed scores. This collection apparently is not one of his popular Vanguard series; indeed I can't trace any domestic LP version. Most notably it provides the first recording I've ever heard of the early Carnival in Rome. --High Fidelity
This is a lilting performance, highly recommended. Even the recording is outstanding. —Tape Recording
Ippolitov-Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches; Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Herbert Haffner / Friedrich Shuster / Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra
OT 3004
As in some similar listings, the orchestra is alternatively identified as the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra.
Tchaikovsky: The Tempest / Fekete: Caucasus Ballet Suite
 Zoltan Fekete / Vienna State Opera Orchestra
OT 3005
Music of Edvard Grieg
 Concert Artist Symphony / London Pro Musica Orchestra / Mervyn Vicars / Sheldon Burton
OT 3007
PLAY
Holberg Suite / Two Norwegian Melodies / Peer Gynt excerpts / Norwegian Dance

One of a series of reels produced by Concert Artist records. ‘Sheldon Burton’ is almost certainly a pseudonymn. But Maestro Vicars was a real person, artistic director of the company, and planned an ambitious series of recordings to be co-sponsored by Omegatape. But there were quality concerns, and when the UK head of Concert Artist disappeared, he took the money with him. Omega didn't receive the remainder of the promised tapes, and Vicars couldn't even get his £126 expense account covered. Years later that former Concert Artist exec would foist off dozens of purloined recordings as the work of pianist Joyce Hatto. William Barrington-Coupe went from shortchanging Omega to one of the most brazen cons in the history of classical recordings.
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite, Symphony in 3 Movements
Rudolf Albert, Cento Soli Orchestra of Paris
OT 3008
PLAY
Released as part of a licensing deal with the Club Francais du Disque. Often erroneously listed as a stereo tape (ST 3008) due to errors in some Omegatape catalogs.
Reissued from the Omegatape release by ReDiscovery.

Both orchestra and conductor are new to me, but the former obviously is thoroughly competent if not especially polished, and the latter if no Ansermet leads it with an assurance and awareness of innerpart-detail significances. The recording, while somewhat darkly powerful in a way that cries for the luminosity of stereo, is properly for Stravinsky unreverberant and sharply focused. --High Fidelity
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 5 and 6
Hermann Scherchen /  Members of the Cento Soli Orchestra of Paris
OT 3010
See 8006 below.
Reissued by ReDiscovery

Scherchen and the orchestra work together beautifully and come up with a profound rendition of the two compositions containing the essence of delicacy, charm, and finely balanced sound. Rated as tops. —Tape Recording
Patterns for Trombone
Joe Howard and his Orchestra
OT 4001
See Jazztapes 4001.
Listen to the Hi-Los, Vol 1
The Hi-Los
OT 4002
See Jazztape 4002.
Dixieland Special
Pete Daily / Johnny Lucas
OT 4003
See Jazztape 4003.
Jazz Lab
Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
OT 4004
See Jazztape 4004.
Reel Jazz
George Lewis
OT 4005
See Jazztape 4005.
Laurindo Almeida Quartet
Bud Shank
OT 4006
See Jazztape 4006.
Bob Keene and his Orchestra
Bob Keene
OT 4007
See Jazztape 4007.
New Orleans
Kid Ory / Lizzie Miles
OT 4008
See Jazztape 4008.
The Sextet from Hunger
OT 4009
See Jazztape 4009.
Reel Jazz Vol 2
George Lewis Ragtime Band
OT 4010
See Jazztape 4010.
Jazz Lab Vol 2
Bob Enevoldsen Quintet
OT 4011
See Jazztape 4011.
Listen to the Hi-Los, Vol 2
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
OT 4012
See Jazztape 4012.
Rhythmes Noirs
Mary Lou Williams Combo
OT 4013
See Jazztape 4013
Gershwin Parade
Bernard Zacharias Orchestra
OT 4014
See Jazztape 4014.
Cinematographe 1925
Claude Bolling / New Animal Crackers Jazz Band
OT 4015
See Jazztape 4015.
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Sheldon Burton / London Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 5001
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony Orchestra of London
OT 5002
There are now two (at least) Serenades on tape…I would be inclined to give this version the nod…The fidelity here is good. —Tape Recording
Grieg: Holberg Suite, Norwegian Melodies
Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 5003
PLAY
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

The tape quality is excellent and the small London orchestra just right size for this music. —Tape Recording
The gentility of the music, the modesty of the scoring, and the equanimity of the direction are hardly excitants, but amateurs of sonics will find some excitement in the reproduction of a string orchestra without glint. -High Fidelity

The Exotic Cha Cha Cha
Carlos Molina and his Orchestra
OT 5004
Recorded in Mexico City.

Mi Nuevo Cha-Cha-Cha / Bailando Cha-Cha-Cha / La Virgen de Macarena / Green Eyes / Un Viejo de Amor / Kissing Mambo / Jarabe tapatio / L'Amento Guitano / Guageo en Dominante / Morenita Mia

One of the most lifelike big dance band recordings I have ever heard. What more can I say? —Tape Recording
The Exciting Latin Beat
Armando Thomas and his Orchestra / Maldonado and his Orchestra
OT 5005
PLAY
Recorded in Mexico City.

Margarita / Blue Blue Waters / Don't Pretend / Forbidden Love / Lolinda / Jubilee / Entirely Yours / Tippy Toe Mambo / How Beautiful / Beautiful Flower

Almost every type of Latin American rhythm is included here…My only complaint is that I feel the rhythm could have been more pronounced in keeping with the title. I kept wishing that those doggone brass men would play a little softer. —Tape Recording
Piano Havana
Marco Rizo and his Rhythm
OT 5006
Wooden Soldiers Mambo / Mama Inez / Frasquita / Manhattan / Cha-Cha-Cha / Jungle Drums / By Heck / Filipe Blanco / Chocolate Meringue / Marco's Especial

Another of the excellent Latin-American tapes being turned out by Omega. This one consists entirely of piano and rhythm section in a cleanly balanced recording. —Tape Recording
Mozart: Piano Concerto 21
Sergio Fiorentino / Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 5007
Mozart Bicentennital Celebration Edition 1956. Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

The pianist and ensemble in this British recording turn out a searching and delicate performance of this beautiful concerto…Omega has reproduced this tape with remarkable fidelity that succeeds in recreating perfectly the balance between the instruments. —Tape Recording
The piano tone is pearly and the woodwinds are beautifully distinct in a registration of high order, while the pianist shows a rippling symmetry of fingering worth orchestral support of higher finesse. —High Fidelity
Piano Rio
Maldonado and his Rhythm
OT 5008
PLAY
Instrumental Pianorama Vol 1.

Theme: Don't Feel So Sorry for Me / Margarita / Mambo en Sevilla / Jubilo / Free with Fancy / No Te Preocupes par Mi / El Pastellero / Besos Perdidos / They're Breaking Up the Town of Trinidad

If you like the piano style of Jose Melis, you’ll like this Maldonado…The recording is good and if you like the blend of a guitar, bongo drums, piano, and a ‘tastefully soft violin’ then you will like this. —Tape Recording
Smartly and smoothly done by Maldonado his cohorts. It's too bad that the sound isn't somewhat better as this tape is replete with high fidelity demonstration potential. The highs aren't as crisp and sharp as they could be. -High Fidelity
Stephen Foster Melodies
Norbert Pawlicki / Vienna Amusement Orchestra
OT 5009
Also credited to the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra.

Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming / Beautiful Dreamer / Oh Susannah / Massa's in the Cold Cold Ground / Gentle Annie / Old Black Joe / Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair / Camptown Races / My Old Kentucky Home / Old Folks at Home

More schmaltz, suavely continentally flavored, arranged for dancing and recorded with rather pinched highs. —High Fidelity
The Exciting Mambo
Ramon Marquez and his Orchestra
OT 5010
Recorded in Mexico City.

Mambo in Seville / Suby-Boogie / Caterpillar Mambo / Dancing Kangaroo / Mambo Flamenco / Bullfighter's Mambo / La Virgen de la Macarena / Be Happy / Dancing Ghost / Jose / Four Little Shells

Definitely designed for dancing it even includes, on the jacket, the basic Mambo step through the courtesy of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios! We haven’t tried it yet but we intend to, and if the column is missing from the next issue, you’ll know what happened. This stuff does get under your skin, doesn’t it? —Tape Recording
How many would buy this one for listening alone is certainly problematical, but dancing is another matter. Marquez knows how to keep things interesting (which is more than I can say for whoever writes the titles of these things) and an occasionally grunted refrain adds to the variety. -High Fidelity
High Fidelity Showpieces for Orchestra
OT 5011
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (Sheldon Burton/London Pro Musica) / Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody #2 (Ernst Graf/Vienna Symphonic Orchestra) / Rimsky-Korsakoff: Hymn to the Sun / Offenbach: Can-Can

Although Omega lavished their usually careful recording techniques on the tape, I feel that the musical content is a trifle too pedestrian to arouse much cheering. —Tape Recording
High Fidelity Showpieces for Orchestra Vol 2
Sheldon Burton / London Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 5012
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Polla: Dancing Tambourine / Grieg: Arabian Dance / Dargamyshsky: Cossack Dance / Khachaturian: Sabre Dance / Brahms: Hungarian Dances (2) / Ganglberger: Teddy Bear Dance / Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Flutes

This is more like it. These are high fidelity showpieces designed to exercise most any rig... much percussion of various kinds as well as unusual instrumentation and more than enough orchestral tutti... Engineered to perfection, the tape is highly recommended. —Tape Recording
High Fidelity Showpieces for Orchestra Vol 3
OT 5013
Fortunately these are whole movements excerpted of the recording…Neither the presentation nor the recording are too noteworthy, even as hi-fi-showpieces. —Tape Recording
Pianorama
Heinz Sandauer and his Orchestra
OT 5014
Young at Heart / Delicado / Then We Dance the Mambo / Photo-Photo / Seven Lonely Days / Carmen Says Si Si / Baia Bongo / Carnevalito / Avant de Monrir / The Gypsy Band / Old Man River / Fiesta Cubana / Bar of Johnny Miller / 'S Wonderful

There is little real distinction to these performances, better suited for cocktail-hour background listening than for actual dancing. —High Fidelity

Three Coins in the Fountain
Heinz Sandauer and his Orchestra
OT 5015
Three Coins in the Fountain / Autumn Serenade / In Berlin I Stil Have One Trunk / A Mama Majo / Mister Sandman / Banjo Benny / River of No Return / Lolita / El Paradiso / Simonetta / Arividerci Roma
Mozart: Three Salzburg Symphonies
Mervyn Vicars / London Mozart Ensemble
OT 6001
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

The tape is well engineered and quite clean, preserving the small orchestra feel of these three works. —Tape Recording
They are played with brave and telling elan and slighted shading; hard to resist and hard in tone. —High Fidelity
Beethoven: Piano Concerto 3
Bernard Vitebsky / Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 6002
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Vitebsky has the feel of the composer throughout, but is outstanding in the slow movement. Here he and the orchestra perform with complete rapport and a delicate deftness that excites the ear. Technically, I had trouble equalizing this recording. —Tape Recording
Folk Tunes
Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 6003
Licensed from Layos records.

Whoopee Ti Yo / From Afar / Dark Eyes / I Wandered Through Woodlands / All Through the Night / Loch Lomond / Charming Marguerite / I Laid Me Down to Rest / Juanity / Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes / Varadis Highway

Genuinely tasteful expressiveness and verve, clothed in the purest of warmly colored sonorities…unobtrusively arranged and entirely unaccompanied. —High Fidelity
Folk Tunes Vol 2
Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 6004
Licensed from Layos records.

Red River Valley / Cool Water / Kerry Dance / The Low Backed Car / Back on the Texas Range / Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie / Deep in the Heart of Texas / Londonderry Air / Rose of Tralee / The Eyes of Texas / Wearing of the Green
Music of Franz Liszt
Irene Kohler / Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 6005
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Malediction for Piano and String Orchestra / Angelus / At the Grave of Richard Wagner
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik / Divertimento 10
Mervyn Vicars / London Mozart Ensemble
OT 6007
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.
Tchaikovsky: The Tempest / Elegy for Strings
Zoltan Fekete / Vienna State Opera Orchestra / Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony Orchestra of London
OT 6008
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Dramatic music, such as this, requires a dramatic orchestra and the Vienna group is every bit of that…This tape required a considerable treble cut and slight bass boost to make it conform to the standards of the others. —Tape Recording
The tape has insufficient volume to overcome background noise, the choirs of the orchestra are not in balance, and timbre is ambigious. —High Fidelity

Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata / Pathetique Sonata
Bernard Vitebsky
OT 6010
Produced for Omega by Concert Artists Records, UK.

It is not possible for a critic to feel enthusiasm for new manifestations of this music, of which there is already an aggregate of thirty recordings. These are standard performances, and the piano issues a sound of good realism a little light in the bass, probably a faithful reflection of the performing left hand. --High Fidelity
The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Vol 2
Gordon Kibbee
OT 7001
Oklahoma: Oh What a Beautiful Morning / Surrey with the Fringe on Top / I Can't Say No / Many a New Day / People Will Say We're in Love / Out of My Dreams / All 'er Nothing / Oklahoma / South Pacific: Dites Moi / A Cockeyed Optimist / Twin Soliloquies / Some Enchanted Evening / There Is Nothin' Like a Dame / Bali Hai / A Wonderful Guy / Younger than Springtime / Happy Talk / This Nearly Was Mine
Wild Bill Hickok and Jingles on the Santa Fe Trail
Guy Madison / Andy Devine
OT 7002
Songs written or adapted by David Raksin, Howard Fenton, Gene Bone, William Bowers, John Bradford. Arranged and conducted by Ruby Raksin.
Licensed from London records.

Wild Bill Hickok / California / Joanie and Johnny / Wooly Boogie Bee / Me Name It Is Jingles / Santa Fe
Paging Bobby Page
The Bobby Page Trio
OT 7004
Kodaly: Summer Evening; Prokofiev: Summer's Day
Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 7005
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

A remarkable recording, both musically and technically. I have listened to it many times and find myself more ‘taken’ with each hearing. —Tape Recording
A tape with beautiful orchestral sound quality, miked to perfection, but the playing these two nicely paired easy works is routine, though accurate. —Audio
Both pieces are played with unforced sympathy in accordance with the benignity of a holiday summer. The sound cannot be faulted. —High Fidelity
The Hi-Los in Hi-Fi
The Hi-Los
OT 7006
Mono version of ST 7006.
High Fidelity Showpieces
Gordon Kibbee
OT 7007
See also listing below. Licensed from Judson records.

Granada / Somebody Loves Me / Begin the Beguine / When Your Lover Has Gone / My Heart Belongs to Daddy / C'est si Bon / VIenna, City of Dreams / Gallopping Comedians / Baia / French Military March Song
Tchaikovsky: Danish Overture, The Storm
Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony of London
OT 7007 (?)
Several sources list this title and number, although an early Omegatape catalog lists the Gordon Kibbee tape above. It is probable that the Kibbee listing is correct, and this tape bears a different number. It is also possible that the Tchaikovsky tape was never issued, due to the problems with licensor Concert Artist noted above
Pipe Happy
Bob Kates
OT 7008
Licensed from New Sound Records.

Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe / Blue Danube / Goody Goody / Cheek to Cheek / Lover / Undecided / Deep Purple / This Can’t Be Love / Serenata / Tenderly
The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ
Gordon Kibbee
OT 7009
PLAY
.
While Omega licensed many recordings from other labels, this title reversed the process. The recording was a Dave Hubert production, and he licensed it to Starlite Records for LP release (possibly in exchange for one or more Hi-Lo’s albums Starlite provided to Omega).
Available on youtube.

Pal Joey: I Could Write a Book / Bewitched / Do It the Hard Way / you Musn't Kick It Around / Jumbo: Circus on Parade / My Romance / Over and Over Again / Little Girl Blue / The Most Beautiful Girl in the World/ and The Continental / Louise

The ‘B’ track has a few stops where the chimes bang richly and there are a couple of real lowdown grunts from the pedals, but the overall effect is disappointing. With all this meat available they have given us a big bag of potatoes. —High Fidelity
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites; Bizet: L'Arlessienne Suites
Hans Hagen / L'Orchestra Societe Francais
OT 8001
While this is repertoire of the greatest popularity, the reel cannot be rated a serious contender in the market. If it moves well, it can only do so if not sampled in advance. Performances are routine and the sound is poor. --Billboard
This is the best classical recording to date from Omega…This a superlatively reproduced recording, by any standards. —Tape Recording
Strictly routine smallish ‘pops’ orchestra performances. —High Fidelity
The Ballet
Pro Musica Orchestra
OT 8002
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Delibes: Sylvia Ballet Suite; Strauss: The Blue Danube; Gounod: Faust Ballet Music; Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; Weber: Invitation to the Dance

The tape is a delightful hour-plus of music for classical dancing, and I defy you to keep your own feet still when listening to it... The tape itself, although well recorded, could have been reproduced at a higher level... A decidedly noticeable flaw exists at the end of the reel and on track one on the review copy. The music begins to go faster and faster like a turntable that has been switched from 33 1/3 to 78 rpm. I trust the Company has caught the error by this time and recalled the faulty copies. —Tape Recording
Gregorian Chants
Roger Wagner Chorale
OT 8003
Licensed from Layos records.

The group of male voices is in expert form, altho it is probable that specialist collectors seeking this repertoire would desire more the stamp of authenticity provided by the many church groups available on disk. Sound is excellent, altho there is noticeable tape hiss in the background. --Billboard
The velvety background of tape reproducrtion enhances the atmospheric magic of the music itself as no disk possibly could. —High Fidelity
Czonka: Children’s Fantasy Suite / Prokofiev: Summer Day Suite / Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Mervyn Vicars / Concert Artist Symphony Orchestra
OT 8004
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Both music and composer [Czonka] are new to me but this unpretentious, mildly ‘modern’ little work is surcharged with infectiously gay and festive melodiousness. —High Fidelity
Beethoven: Symphony 9 "Choral"
Günter Wand / Cologne Gurzenich Orchestra and Chorus
OT 8005
PLAY
Licensed from the Club Francais du Disque.
Soloists: Teresa Stich-Randall / Lore Fischer / Ferdinand Koch / Rudolf Watzke
Reissued on CD by Testament.

The Finale is worked up with more exciting dramatic force than one normally expects from any non-Toscanini....For recording clarity, brilliance, and expanded dynamic range it should be placed very close to the top. — R.D. Darrell, High Fidelity
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1-4
Hermann Scherchen / Members of the Cento Soli Orchestra of Paris
OT 8006
PLAY
Club Francais recordings of  a superlative set of the Brandenburgs. Claims by Kurtz Myers (Index to Record Reviews, 1978)  of a stereo issue are erroneous.
LP: OML 3039/40/41.
 Reissued by ReDiscovery.

The outstanding characteristic of Scherchen's readings is their persuasive conviction, not so much of "tightness" perhaps, as of suitability to their prime purpose of revealing unsuspected insights into music which many of us have thought held no further surprises. Overall, this is one of those rarely electrifying performances which reshapes our whole musical thinking and reinvigorates the most jaded listening taste: a miracle all the more remarkable in that it is achieved here without recourse to such extramusical technological aids as stereo sound.... Whatever the final verdict may be, I for one cannot imagine a more exciting new approach to the Brandenburgs. --High Fidelity
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1-6
Hermann Scherchen / Members of the Cento Soli Orchestra of Paris
OT 9001
Combines OT 3010 and OT 8006 on a single reel.
Mozart Concertos
Bernard Paumgartner / Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra
OT 9005
Clarinet Concerto / Oboe Concerto / Bassoon Concerto / Horn Concerto

The solo performers are unnamed and this, I think, is a shame because they are very fine artists….The clarity of the instruments is sonically superior. —Tape Recording
The Book of Psalms
Alexander Scourby
OT 10001
The Birth of Jesus / The Sermon on the Mount
Alexander Scourby
OT 10002
Mozart Bicentennial Celebration Edition
Mervyn Vicars
DS 1
First of a series of double sets; combined 6001 and 6007.
Latin Mood
DS 2
Combines 5005 and 5010.
Reel Jazz
DS 3
Combines 4005 and 4010.
The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ
Gordon Kibbee
DS 4
Combines 7007 and 7009.
Latin Panorama
DS 5
Combines 5006 and 5008.
Favorites
The Roger Wagner Chorale
DS 6
Combines 6003 and 6004.


alphatapes
High Fidelity Jazz
1
Alphatapes began as a series of 4" reels. Like Jazztapes (below), eventually this imprint fell into disuse and apparently many of its releases were absorbed into the Omegatape line.

Compilation tape with artists Pete Candoli, Hollywood All Stars, Frank Comstock, Crosby Original Dixieland Band, Rosy McHorgue's Ragtimers, Jack Teagarden.

I Love a Parade / Caravan / I've Got Eyes for You / Gettysburg March / Night Wind / Pretty Baby

An auspicious beginning in a new venture from a company which has made its presence felt from coast to coast in a very short period of time. —Tape Recording
Lover
Andre Montero and his Orchestra
2
Lover / Falling in Love with Love / This Can't Be Love / Begin the Beguine / I've Got You Under My Skin / Just One of Those Things

I had never heard of Andre Montero until I received this recording but I am willing to sit down and listen to a lot more by him, particularly on a recording as good as this one. —Tape Recording
Beyond the Stars
Buddy Baker and his Orchestra
3
Beyond the Stars / Stardust / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / When You Wish Upon a Star / Stars Fell on Alabama / Stairway to the Stars
Latino
Carlos Molina and his Orchestra
4
Green Eyes / Temptation / L'amento Gitano / Liszt's Second Rhapsody / UnViejo de Amor / La Virgen de la Macarena

Latin American rhythms, which are currently in vogue, played authoritatively by an orchestra that should know how. —Tape Recording
Christmas Mood
Roger Wagner Chorale
5
Licensed from Layos records.

Adeste Fidelis / Coventry Carol / Angels We Hard Heard on High / Carol of the Bells / Silent Night / Il est ne / With a Torch

To me this is exactly as Carols should be presented; the only think lacking is the finely falling snow. Except for the voices, the tape surfaces are uncannily quiet. —Tape Recording
High Fidelity Mood Music
Warren Baker and his Orchestra / Hollywood All-Star Orchestra
6
Love, Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere / Surrey with the Fringe on Top / World Events / Moulin Rouge / Hot Toddy / Ruby

Definitely not the soft lights and sweet music mood: this is the dance hall mood, bright lights and all. Good recording though, in spite of the mistitling. —Tape Recording
Gypsy Music
Lendway Kalman and his Gypsy Orchestra
7
Eight exciting Gypsy favorites.

No finer gypsy music are you liable to find on recordings. Even boasts of the ancient cymballum. Those interested in this difficult instrument will find 'Romanian Hour' interesting as a solo. —Tape Recording
Cha-Cha-Cha
Carlos Molina and his Orchestra
8
Mi Nuevo Cha Cha Cha / Bailando Cha Cha Cha / Kissing Mambo / Jarobe Tapatio Cha Cha Cha / Guageo en Dominante / Morenita

One of the most lifelike recordings in any media that I have ever heard….Try it and see. —Tape Recording
Hymns
Roger Wagner Chorale
9
Licensed from Starlite records.

Now the Day Is Over / Holy Holy Holy / Lead Kindly Light / Rock of Ages / Abide with Me / A Mighty Fortress
The Hi-Los' Hits
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
10
Licensed from Starlite records.
Reissued on CD by Jasmine.

Little White Lies / You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me / Whatever Lola Wants / Rockin' Chair / Button Up Your Overcoat / Have You Met Miss Jones?
Gershwin: An American in Paris
Dean Dixon / Society Francais Orchestra
11
LP releases on Vox et al gave the orchestra as the Pro Musica Orchestra of Vienna,

Dean Dixon tries hard for the jauntiness and gusto proper for Gershwin's American in Paris, but his Society Francais orchestra is coarse rather than deft and in the bold recording tends to sound noisily frantic. —High Fidelity
Hi-Lo's Rhythm
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
12
Licensed from Starlite records.
Reissued on CD by Jasmine.

I'm Beginning to See the Light / In the Blue of the Evening / Shoeless Joe / Through the Years / Skylark / You're the Top / Molly Malone
Four Moods for Orchestra
Norbert Pawlicki / Vienna Amusement Orchestra
13
Reissued in stereo (unknown if true or simulated) as ST-13.

Drigo: Serenade / Lamare: Andantino / Fibich: Poeme / Sinding: Rustle of Spring

Pleasant listening for a warm Sunday afternoon in a style popularized by Melachrino and Mantovani. This orchestra is every bit as good and the recording is cellent.Tape Recording
Music of Mozart
Mervyn Vicars / London Mozart Ensemble
14
Exotic Latin Melodies
Sheldon Burton / London Pops Orchestra
15
Produced for Omega by Concert Artist Recordings.

Seguidilla / Havanaise / Bolero / Cachucha / Zapateado / Mexican Fantasy

The Boston Pops would have a good time with these Spanish dance themes. The London group, however, seems to miss the point. —Tape Recording
Routine, undistinguished recordings of pallidly local-colored Exotic Latin melodies by Desormes.. —High Fidelity
Anton Karas
Unconfirmed.
Gypsy Encores
Budapest Radio Orchestra
17
Roumanian Dance / Zestoca / Hungarian Dance / Hungarian Holiday / Romanze
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Sheldon Burton / London Pro Musica Orchestra
18

Songs from the Great West
Roger Wagner Chorale
19
Licensed from Layos records.

Cool Water / Red River Valley / The Eyes of Texas / Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie / Round-Up Lullaby / Little Old Sod Shanty
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Vivian Rivkin / Dean Dixon / L'Orchestra Societe Francais
20
LP releases on Vox et al gave the orchestra as the Pro Musica Orchestra of Vienna,.
Coates: London Suite
Hans Hagen / London Pro Musica Orchestra
21

Viennese Nights
Anton Paulik / Vienna Pro Arte Orchestra
23
Blue Danube / Feuerfest Polka / Carnival in Rome

The fidelity is fine, the music light and gay, and Paulik turns in a commendable performance with this small orchestra.. —Tape Recording
Music to What By?
Paul Nero and his Fiddles
24
The livelier pieces are diverting, escapist chamber-music fare, but the slower ones, for all their desperately ingenious arrangements, are hardly satisfactory for either background listening or actual dancing. —High Fidelity
Six Images for Orchestra
Hans Hagen / London Pops Orchestra
27
The Enchanted Sea / Prelude in g / Spring / Clair de Lune / Romance / The Swan


jazztapes
Scene: West
Bob Gordon / Herbie Harper Quintet
1001
Licensed from Nocturne Records.
The Guitar of Oscar Moore
Oscar Moore
1002
Body and Soul / Blues in B-flat / The Nearness of You / Love for Sale / Up Tempo / Buddy Can You Spare a Dime? / There'll Never Be Another You / April in Paris / Warm Up / Samson and Delilah / Moonlight in Vermont / Again / Dinner for One Please, James / Walkin' Home / Roulette / Kenya
Buck Clayton Session
Buck Clayton Sextet
1003
PLAY
Only the first five tracks include Bud Clayton. The remainder are from a different session featuring Peanuts Holland. Since both were licensed from the Club Francais du Disque, the other performers in each case were French jazz musicians.
LP: OML 1052.
Reissued on CD by Gitanes. Available on Apple Music.

Buck's Bon Voyage / Fast but Soft / Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone / Easy to Riff / I Found a New Baby / Flying Home / That's My Desire / 'S Wonderful / Blue Feeling
The Hi-Los On Hand
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
1004
Reissued on CD by Jasmine.

Lulu's Back in Town / Mamselle / Clap Yo Hands / You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby / April Snow / You Took Advantage of Me / 'Round My Old Deserted Farm / All I Do Is Dream of You / The Touch of Your Lips / You and the Night and the Music
Patterns for Trombone
Joe Howard and his Orchestra
4001
PLAY
Instrumental Dance Series Vol 4. Arrangements by Jerry Fielding.
Available on youtube.

My Man's Gone Now / I'll Be Around / Lindy Lou / I Cover the Waterfront / Speak Low / Take Me in Your Arms / Tenderly / Study War No More

In my opinion no better dance music can be found anywhere, at least not all on one recording…The recording is of excellent fidelity. —Tape Recording
Over-bland corn for only the most lethargic and moon-struck dancers. —High Fidelity
Listen to the Hi-Los
The Hi-Los / Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
4002
Licensed from Starlite records.
Reissued on CD by Jasmine.

June in January / Jeepers Creepers / She's Funny That Way / Nice Work if You Can Get It / Fools Rush In / Where Are You? / Stars Fell on Alabama / I Thought About You / Speak Low / Put Your Dreams Away
Dixieland Special
Pete Daily / Johnny Lucas
4003
There's A Quaker Down in Quaker Town / Swannee River / Close Walk with Thee / Make Love To Me / Lazy River / Hindustan / Loveless Love / High Society

This is an excellent presentation that should not be overlooked by Dixieland fans anywhere…I would say that the fidelity is as good as the best. —Tape Recording
If this were a contest Johnny Lucas and his boys would win on the basis of pure excitement alone. Daily's group suffers some by a comparison with the George Lewis Closer Walk with Three reviewed below... Recorded sound on the B track (Lucas) is better than that on the A. -High Fidelity
Jazz Lab
Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
4004
PLAY
Featuring Tony Rizzi, Ted Nash. Licensed from Starlite records.
Available on youtube.

South Of Brazil / Passion Girl / Taylor Talks / Languid Latin / The Grabber  / Frantica / Laurel / Footloose / Starlight / Less Sand and More Cement
Reel Jazz
George Lewis Ragtime Band
4005
PLAY
LP: OML 1053

When The Saints Come Marching In / Doctor Jazz / Louisiana / Burgundy Street / Panama / Ice Cream / Down By The Riverside / A Closer Walk With Thee


I would label this as a genuine collector’s item, quite possibly one of the latest authentic touches of old New Orleans, the birthplace of the American Jazz idiom. —Tape Recording
Easily the greatest impact is in the two traditional hymn tunes, Down by the Riverside and A Closer Walk with Thee. the old church choir rarely sounds as good. Technically—about the same as a first-class disk. -High Fidelity
Laurindo Almeida
Laurindo Almedia Quartet
4006
PLAY
Featuring Bud Shank.
Available on Apple Music.

Speak Low / Amor Flamengo / Noctomulism / Hazardous / Nono / Stairway to the Stars / Tocata / Carinoso / Acercate Mas
Bob Keene
Bob Keene and his Orchestra
4007
PLAY
Instrumental Jazz Series Vol 1. Arrangements by Billy May, Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, Johnny Thompson, Paul Villepigue.
Reissued on CD by Del-Fi.
Available on youtube.

Isn't It Romantic? / Mimi / The Lady Is a Tramp / They Didn't Believe Me / Dancing Tambourine / Flyin' Home / Jug Stop / It Ain't Necessarily So / Easy to Remember / Dancing on the Ceiling.
New Orleans
Kid Ory's Creole Band
4008
Featuring Lizzie Miles.

Basin Street Blues / Savoy Blues / Ace in the Hole / Ballin’ the Jack / I Cried for You / Dippermouth Blues / Careless Love / High Society / Basin Street Blues (Creole version)

Despite the fact that Kid Ory is an almost legendary name in American Jazz, his work is not shown up to best advantage here…The recording, though acceptable, is not up to the usual par of Omega’s jazz tapes. —Tape Recording
The Sextet from Hunger
4009
Darktown Strutter's Ball / That's a-Plenty / Royal Garden Blues / Harmony Rag / Everybody Loves My Baby / At the Jazz Band Ball / Fidgety Feet / Original Dixieland One-Step / Bye Bye Blues / When You Wore a Tulip.
Reel Jazz Vol 2
George Lewis Ragtime Band
4010
Tin Roof Blues / Swanee River / Dallas Blues / Lord Lord / Mama Don't Allow It / Jelly Roll Blues / Dippermouth Blues

Throughout the recording there is the feeling that here is authentic improvisation by a group that has enjoyed doing this, and nothing else, for several decades…If you don’t like Dixieland music, you won’t like this. If you do like it, don’t pass this up, no matter what. —Tape Recording
Jazz Lab Vol 2
Bob Enevoldsen Quintet
4011
The group is good but not the most important feature of the tape. Instrumentation and recording techniques are paramount and steal the show. —Tape Recording
Listen to the Hi-Los Vol 2
The Hi-Los
4012
Reissued on CD by Jasmine.

Little White Lies / In the Blue of the Evening / Whatever Lola Wants / Have You Met Miss Jones? / Button Up Your Overcoat / You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me / Sky Lark / Rockin' Chair / You're the Top / I'm Beginning to See the Light
Rhythmes Noirs
Mary Lou Williams
4013
PLAY
Licensed from Club Francais.
Reissued on CD by Gitanes. Available on Apple Music.

Swingin' for the Guys / Club Francais Blues / Freight Train Blues / Memories of You / Leg'n Lou / Avalon / Gravel / Rock Me / I Made You Love Paris / Nancy Is in Love with the Colonel

Engineers enjoy a field day with the relaxed yet zestful piano playing (and occasional singing) of the star and with some magnificently rowdy, electrifying percussion work by an unnamed but true virtuoso on the drums. —High Fidelity
Gershwin Parade
Bernard Zacharias Orchestra
4014
PLAY
Available on Apple Music.

The French engineers can’t disguise the group’s lack of rhythmic animation, but they do make the most of its rich, well-varied sonic coloring. —High Fidelity
Cinematographe 1925
Claude Bolling / New Animal Crackers Jazz Band
4015
Licensed from Club Francais.

Cinématographe / Quand Charlot joue du Saxophone / Cracket's Danse / Charleston / Alexander's Ragtime Band / Long John Stomp / Doin' the Racoon / Le Black-Bottom Stomp

special purpose tapes
Mood and Background Music
101
Four hours of instrumental selections (10.5 inch reel, dual track, 3.75 ips). Combines 102 and 103.
Light Music and Semi-Classical Background Music
102
Two hours of instrumental selections (7 inch reel, dual track, 3.75 ips).
Standard and Popular Mood and Background Music
103
Two hours of instrumental selections (7 inch reel, dual track, 3.75 ips).