Ry Cooder – The Slide Area – 1982 – Blues Rock (vinyl lp)

Here's a pressing that doesn't come around often - Ry Cooder's "The Slide Area" on Canadian Warner Bros. from 1982. This album marked a fascinating pivot point in Cooder's career, bridging his earlier roots explorations with the world music collaborations that would define his later work. While many know Ry for his slide guitar mastery on blues and folk material, "The Slide Area" found him diving headfirst into early 80s production techniques, working with synthesizers and drum machines alongside his signature bottleneck approach. The result is a unique artifact of its time - distinctly Cooder in its musical intelligence and guitar work, yet unmistakably influenced by the new wave and synth-pop currents swirling around Los Angeles studios in the early Reagan years.

The Canadian pressing is particularly sought after by collectors who appreciate the superior vinyl quality that Warner's Canadian plant was known for during this period. These northern pressings often exhibit better dynamics and less surface noise than their US counterparts, which is crucial for an album this sonically adventurous. Tracks like "UFO Has Landed in the Ghetto" and "I Need a Woman" showcase Cooder's ability to make even the most modern production techniques sound organic and soulful. For collectors tracking Cooder's discography, this represents essential listening - a bold creative statement that's often overlooked in favor of his soundtrack work and later world music projects, making original pressings increasingly scarce.

Retro Revolution Records – Halifax, Nova Scotia

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