In Australia during the 70s, a number of privately run recording studios gave birth to their own custom record labels. Perhaps this was done to promote their studio, or perhaps the recording artists wanted to make their product seem like it was branded by a reputable company. Whatever the reason, labels like Jam and Earth created their own record labels dedicated to producing artists that hadn't previously been married to a commercial recording label.
One such studio was a little place called Music Farm Studios. Based in Coorabell, Northern NSW, a township east of Byron Bay, this studio must have been a pretty isolated affair. I'm not sure how many records Music Farm Studios was responsible for producing, but they released at least two titles on their label's imprint acronym, M.F.S.
The first release in 1977 was a rare compilation of folk, jazz and rock recordings that featured the following manifesto: "Just Playing... Recorded October 1976 through May 1977 at "The Farm that grows music" - Music Farm Studios, Coorabell NSW - Music Farm's aim has been to present local bands and musicians with the opportunity to record - many for the first time. All but one track are original compositions and in every case the artists have had total control over their music - everyone thanks everyone for a happy experience just playing..." Check out the only copy I have ever found of this record here, while it's still available.
It's clear from this statement that there must have been some kind of community approach to this endeavour, and this record was evidently the first release of the label, marked MFS 0001. It seems a shame that only one other LP may have seen the light of day.
Speaking of which, let's move onto that album. With it's minimal artwork and gate fold sleeve that opens to reveal an impressive but simple landscape view, there's really no indication of what to expect from the cover of this record. I have to say though, that if ever I saw an album that featured almost every cliched fusion-style track name that one could possibly conceive of, then this is it. Even the band's name conjures images of mad late-night jazz-rock noodle-fests in this collector's mind. And to be frank, that's pretty much what you get at a cursory listen. I'm not a huge fan of this record, but it does have some charm, and the other internet interest it has garnered leaves me ever open to the possibility of growing more fond of it as I age.
I decided to issue this update because of such interest in the record at the Midoztouch website. Check out their forum for lots of discussion on Australian music, particularly but certainly not exclusively in the field of rock. This guy over here also details the album in his list that includes a dozen or so worthwhile Australian progressive rock records. You'll also find reference to it here since one-time AC/DC drummer Ron Carpenter played drums for this group too.
First Light - First Light LP (M.F.S., 1978)
