5 Facts About Jon Hassell's Vernal Equinox Recording

The album was recorded at Mastertone Recording Studios in New York. Mastertone was a well-known studio in the city during the 1970s.

Recording took place during September and October 1977. This two-month session captured the album’s unique blend of jazz and world music.

The album’s title refers to the spring equinox. Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Jon Hassell was a trumpeter and composer known for his “Fourth World” music style. He combined electronic processing with acoustic instruments to create atmospheric soundscapes.

The recording location and time period influenced the album’s experimental sound. Late 1970s New York was a hub for avant-garde and minimalist music.