Spectre is the third album by the late West Coast composer, healer, and medium Pauline Anna Strom. First released in 1984, the album finds Strom exploring the darker corridors of human mythology under the influence of vampiric lore, evoking a hushed gothic solitude and showcasing her breathtaking dexterity of sound design. Despite its shadowy hues, Spectre offers generous glimpses of a vivid light that could only have come from a heart wide open to the cosmos. Restored and mixed from the original reels by Marta Salogni, and newly remastered, this is the album’s first ever official reissue, and the definitive edition of a visionary statement.
“As for Spectre, the welding of mysterious vampire legends, modern violence and desolateness of which produces a cobalt mix of subtle gothic chills, fulfilled its purpose with a whispered gloss of steel. The sounds were culled from concrete, glass and steel, from cold arctic temperatures and elusive spacious voices” - Pauline Anna Strom
All music composed, arranged, and performed by Pauline Anna Strom
Original recording sessions engineered by Pauline Anna Strom and Peter Buffet, and produced by Pauline Anna Strom and Illuminé Productions at home and at Independent Sound across 1982 and 1983 (San Francisco, California). Special acknowledgement to Robert J. Strom, Jr.
Mixed by Marta Salogni for Studio Zona across 2021 and 2022 (London, United Kingdom)
Mix assistance from Jeremy Harris, John Also Bennett, and Euan Hinshelwood
Tape transfers by Sonicraft (Red Bank, New Jersey)
Mastered and cut by Anne Taegert for Dubplates & Mastering (Berlin, Germany)
Cover artwork by Karma Moffett
Design by Will Work for Good
Research, development, and blood thirsting: Zonder Titel
Originally released on Trans-Millenia Consort Recordings in 1984. Licensed under permission from the estate of Pauline Anna Strom.
