THE MAKING OF ZENO · STUDIO IV · SUFFERN, NY · 1985
Bear Tracks.
The final sound. Near Woodstock.
“This album was produced between January and August 1985 throughout the World.”
— FROM THE ORIGINAL ZENO VINYL SLEEVE, 1986
October 1985. After Dublin, Gjerlev and London, ZENO’s journey reached the United States. The final mix took place at Bear Tracks Studios in Suffern, New York — not far from Woodstock, amid the colours of autumn.
At the desk, Jon Mathias and Ian Taylor brought the ambitious layers into balance: Michael Flexig’s high-register vocals, Zeno Roth’s orchestral guitars, Ule Ritgen’s bass and Chuck Bürgy’s drums.
The studio had visitors, too. Chuck Bürgy returned during the mixing sessions; Joe Lynn Turner stopped by to say hello to Zeno. And Bruce Garfield, head of Manhattan Records, heard the finished ZENO album mix for the very first time.
