Herb Powers Jr.
Real Name:
Herbert Powers Jr.
Profile:
Legendary mastering engineer who began his career at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs' NYC facility and was responsible for cutting a respectable share of classic Prelude and West End titles, as well as tons of disco, house, funk, and hip-hop classics over the years. He almost always included shout-outs and dedications inscribed in the run-out of his vinyl work, followed by one of his numerous signatures and his trademark smiley face - please do not include / transcribe the smiley face characters as part of ANVs. He also worked at Hit Factory Mastering. Herb still does lacquer-cutting and vinyl mastering, but most of his business is now in the digital domain. He owns and operates his own mastering facility called PM Entertainment, a.k.a Powers Mastering Studio.
Sites:
Variations:
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Herb Powers Jr.
"Pump", "Superb" Herb, "Superb" Herb Powers, Jr, Da Herb, H Powers, H. Powers, H. Powers Jr., H. Powers, Jr., HERbIE JR, HNP, HP, HP Jr, HPowers, Harb Powers, Harb Powers Jr., Herb, Herb "95 Miles Per Hour" Powers, Jr., Herb "Always Smokin' Erb" Powers, Herb "Bass" Powers, Herb "Big Bang" Powers, Herb "Big Bottom" Powers, Herb "Big Daddy" Powers, Herb "Big Schtup" Powers, Herb "Boom Boom" Powers, Herb "Boom" Powers, Herb "Bwana" Powers, Herb "Clappers" Power, Herb "Dale Un Trago" Powers Jr., Herb "Dancing Machine" Power, Herb "Dancing Machine" Powers, Herb "FUA" Powers, Herb "Family Man" Powers, Herb "He Still Pumps" Powers, Herb "Hip-Hop" Powers, Herb "House" Powers, Herb "In Effect" Powers Jr., Herb "Let's Go" Powers, Jr, Herb "Musical" Powers, Herb "Nasty Blasty Masty-er" Powers, Herb "Now" Powers Jr., Herb "Pampers" Powers, Herb "Papa Pump" Powers, Herb "Papa" Powers, Herb "Pappa" Powers, Herb "Pump It Up" Powers, Herb "Pump It Up" Powers, Jr., Herb "Pump" Power, Herb "Pump" Power Jr, Herb "Pump" Powers, Herb "Pump" Powers Jnr., Herb "Pump" Powers Jr, Herb "Pump" Powers Jr., Herb "Pump" Powers, Jr, Herb "Pump" Powers, Jr., Herb "Pumpin" Powers, Herb "The Dude" Powers Jr., Herb "The Infamous Pump" Powers, Jr., Herb "The Pump" Powers, Herb "The Pump" Powers Jr., Herb "The Pump" Powers, Jr, Herb "The Pump" Powers, Jr., Herb "Weekend Warrior" Power, Herb "Weekend Warrior" Powers, Herb "Zulu" Powers, Herb ''Pump'' Powers, Herb ''The Pump'' Powers Jr., Herb ''The Verb'' Powers Jr, Herb 'Big Bang' Powers, Herb 'Pump' Powers, Herb 'Pump' Powers Jr., Herb 'The Pump' Powers, Herb 'The Pump' Powers Jr., Herb 'Weekend Warrior' Powers, Herb (Bwana) Powers, Herb (Pump) Powers, Herb (Pump) Powers Jr., Herb (The Pump) Powers, Herb (The Pump) Powers Jr., Herb (The Pump) Powers, Jr., Herb Jr, Herb Powell, Herb Powell, Jr., Herb Power, Herb Power Jr., Herb Powers, Herb Powers Jnr, Herb Powers Jr, Herb Powers Jr. (The Herb), Herb Powers, Jr, Herb Powers, Jr., Herb Pump Powers, Herb Towers, Herb'Pump' Powers Jr., Herbert Powers, Herbie, Herbie "Charming" Powers, Herbie "He Still Pumps" Powers, Jr., Herbie "Pump" Powers, Herbie "Pump" Powers Jr, Herbie "Pump" Powers, Jr., Herbie "The Pump" Powers, Herbie "The Right Pump" Powers, Herbie 'Cheeseman' Powers, Herbie (Pump) Powers, Herbie Jnr, Herbie Jr, Herbie Jr., Herbie Powers, Herbie Powers Jnr, Herbie Powers Jr., Herbie Powers, Jr., Herbie Powersz, Herby Powers, Herd Powers, Jr, Pump Power, Superb Herb, The Herb, The Herbo, Volume Pumpin' Herb Powers
Marketplace
187,787 For Sale| Image | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZX 31712, 31712 |
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O'Jays* | O'Jays* - Back Stabbers (LP, Album, RE, Pit) | Philadelphia International Records, Philadelphia International Records | ZX 31712, 31712 | US | 1975 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ASD 281 |
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Instant Funk | Instant Funk - Philly Jump (12", Mono, Promo) | TSOP, Columbia | ASD 281 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76-5003 |
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John Davis And The Monster Orchestra* | John Davis And The Monster Orchestra* - Tell Me How You Like It (7", Promo) | Sam Records | 76-5003 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 4782 |
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People's Choice | People's Choice - Movin' In All Directions (7", Mono, Promo) | TSOP | ZS8 4782 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DEDJ-1590 |
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Kool And The Gang* | Kool And The Gang* - Super Band (7", Mono, Promo) | De-Lite Records | DEDJ-1590 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DEP-2023, DEP 2023 |
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Kool & The Gang | Kool & The Gang - Open Sesame (Album) | De-Lite Records, De-Lite Records | DEP-2023, DEP 2023 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 3599 |
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Dexter Wansel | Dexter Wansel - Life On Mars (Single) | Philadelphia International Records | ZS8 3599 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SD 36-140 |
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Blue Magic | Blue Magic - Mystic Dragons (Album) | ATCO Records | SD 36-140 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| VI-7001, VI 7001 |
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Street People | Street People - Street People (Album) | Vigor Records, Vigor Records | VI-7001, VI 7001 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PZ 34394, 34394 |
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Jean Carn | Jean Carn - Jean Carn (Album) | Philadelphia International Records, Philadelphia International Records | PZ 34394, 34394 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45-7061 |
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Blue Magic | Blue Magic - Spark Of Love (Single) | ATCO Records, WMOT Records | 45-7061 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| MARLIN 2201 |
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The Ritchie Family | The Ritchie Family - Arabian Nights (LP, Album, P/Mixed, Mon) | Marlin | MARLIN 2201 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45-3376 |
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Anglo Saxon Brown | Anglo Saxon Brown - Straighten It Out (7", Single, Mono, Promo, SP) | Atlantic | 45-3376 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 3600 |
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MFSB | MFSB - Summertime And I'm Feelin' Mellow (7", Mono, Promo) | Philadelphia International Records | ZS8 3600 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 4784 |
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People's Choice | People's Choice - Jam, Jam, Jam (All Night Long) (Single) | TSOP | ZS8 4784 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 3602 |
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Don Covay | Don Covay - Travelin' In Heavy Traffic (7", Promo) | Philadelphia International Records | ZS8 3602 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DSKO 73 | Barrabas | Barrabas - Desperately / Broadway Star (12", TP) | Atlantic | DSKO 73 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8-3597 |
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Bunny Sigler | Bunny Sigler - My Music (7", Styrene) | Philadelphia International Records | ZS8-3597 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ZS8 4781 |
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People's Choice | People's Choice - Here We Go Again (Single) | TSOP | ZS8 4781 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PZQ 34245 |
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The O'Jays | The O'Jays - Message In The Music (LP, Album, Quad, Ter) | Philadelphia International Records | PZQ 34245 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PZ 34124 |
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People's Choice | People's Choice - We Got The Rhythm (Album) | TSOP | PZ 34124 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PZ 33957 |
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Lou Rawls | Lou Rawls - All Things In Time (Album) | Philadelphia International Records | PZ 33957 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DISCO 1732 |
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Street People | Street People - I Wanna Spend My Whole Life With You | Vigor Records | DISCO 1732 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2424 135 |
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Arthur Prysock | Arthur Prysock - All My Life (LP, Album) | Polydor | 2424 135 | Canada | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Image | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PZ 34358 |
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Instant Funk | Instant Funk - Get Down With The Philly Jump (LP, Album, Promo) | TSOP | PZ 34358 | US | 1976 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reviews
smainfunk
April 16, 2020
We rarely talk about him but he’s everywhere on our Shelves
Maybe one of the most important person in the 70 & 80 decades in the black music industry !??
So talented that he had monopoly and in my mind he worked night and day like a slave
But sure it’s been a pleasure for him
Always smiling on pics, seems to be a nice person. I better understand the smileys on dead wax ;)
Thanks a ton Man
Just wondering if he became close of some soul funk artist, if he tried to produce something, what’s his taste, did he’s more on soul side, disco, boogie, electro ?
So curious about him as he handled tons of original tapes in his golden hands
And many have never been released moreover... he probably heard some insane lost tapes
I dream about live his life during 70/80’s... can’t be more happy to go at work !
Big Respect to this Monster Shadow Worker
Thanks for all these perfect jobs
Maybe one of the most important person in the 70 & 80 decades in the black music industry !??
So talented that he had monopoly and in my mind he worked night and day like a slave
But sure it’s been a pleasure for him
Always smiling on pics, seems to be a nice person. I better understand the smileys on dead wax ;)
Thanks a ton Man
Just wondering if he became close of some soul funk artist, if he tried to produce something, what’s his taste, did he’s more on soul side, disco, boogie, electro ?
So curious about him as he handled tons of original tapes in his golden hands
And many have never been released moreover... he probably heard some insane lost tapes
I dream about live his life during 70/80’s... can’t be more happy to go at work !
Big Respect to this Monster Shadow Worker
Thanks for all these perfect jobs
gdhalla
July 7, 2019
Found his beautiful name etched on the vinyl of Ashford and Simpson album Street Opera, which I just pulled out of storage. It sounds meticulous. Had to look him up. Incredible mastering.
ruffrob
April 1, 2016
Herb Powers was a staple for me in my DJ career. When I saw a record mastered by him,i know I was in for a treat. I was actually angered to find some of the records I liked NOT mastered by him,once i got home them from the record store. But given the large amount of gems he made sound so good,he couldn't be everywhere or on every record. He's a friend on Facebook that I got the opportunity to chat with recently. Hats off to you brother,I hear vinyl is making a comeback,and I only hope you're part of it!!
soulkings
January 26, 2016
edited over 7 years ago
The Rudy Van Gelder of the Electro / Funk scene (with best respect to both engineers) ;))
MeanDumpsterCat
December 26, 2013
Every time I see "Herbie Jr. :^) " on a record, I know it's going to be worth buying!
Yemsky
June 22, 2013
As Discogs only allows Videos on Youtube to be embedded, here's a link to a 100 minute long interview with Herb Powers Jr. at the Red Bull Academy in 2013: http://vimeo.com/66162113
Media-Rite
March 29, 2011
Of the hundreds of records I have listened to where I see the Herbie Jr etching in the runouts, all mastered nearly perfectly. This man has done the music world a huge favor one record at a time in a career spanning way longer than I have been alive.
What I always found fascinating is how he is able to saturate the mids and high range frequencies without even the slightest bit of artifacting or distortion, i.e. the hi hats always sound super crisp yet don't jump out of the speakers and hiss you down.
Same goes for the bass, especially 808 kick drums, which always seem to be mixed PERFECTLY and punch hard even on a not so great stereo. I bet an 808 would boom on a clock radio speaker if Herb mastered it! :)... Keep in mind this quality has been in effect since the late 70's. I guess I could go so far as to say the final mix on a lot of Def Jam / Profile / Capitol mid to late 80's rap records was DEFINED by Herb Powers. Just listen to a lot of today's pop rap which uses essentially the same TR-808 / 909 drum kits and tell me if it hits as hard or as clean. NO? WHY NOT? Because sadly this is a gift that is fading from the studios and engineering process of recorded music.
Modern technology will allow anyone to record, mix and release an album from their bedroom now..... but will it ever replace the God-given talent of making it sound like Herbie Jr mastered it?
What I always found fascinating is how he is able to saturate the mids and high range frequencies without even the slightest bit of artifacting or distortion, i.e. the hi hats always sound super crisp yet don't jump out of the speakers and hiss you down.
Same goes for the bass, especially 808 kick drums, which always seem to be mixed PERFECTLY and punch hard even on a not so great stereo. I bet an 808 would boom on a clock radio speaker if Herb mastered it! :)... Keep in mind this quality has been in effect since the late 70's. I guess I could go so far as to say the final mix on a lot of Def Jam / Profile / Capitol mid to late 80's rap records was DEFINED by Herb Powers. Just listen to a lot of today's pop rap which uses essentially the same TR-808 / 909 drum kits and tell me if it hits as hard or as clean. NO? WHY NOT? Because sadly this is a gift that is fading from the studios and engineering process of recorded music.
Modern technology will allow anyone to record, mix and release an album from their bedroom now..... but will it ever replace the God-given talent of making it sound like Herbie Jr mastered it?
protomd
September 19, 2022