For those unaware, out today, one of the world’s most ingenious libraries of the 21st century The Westport Library, has released its debut album Verso Records: Volume One.

Serving the CT and the tri-state area, it is the first library of its kind with its own record label and the very first to ever produce, record and release vinyl.

Everyone from Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer’s in Dennis Dunaway of Alice Cooper Group and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads (who wrote the album’s liner notes) to renowned producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones) and hip hop originator Tony Tone (Cold Crush Brothers) have collaborated with The Westport Library.

In fact, what makes this 12-track compilation so special is that it highlights regional and emerging artists only and provides them with the resources necessary to record and produce at the library’s hi-tech recording facilities Verso Studios.

Side A:
1. Daniprobably - Cowboy
2. Alexandra Burnet & the Stable Six - You’re Okay
3. Ports of Spain - All You Can Carry
4. Lulu Lewis - All Just Pretending
5. Terri Lynn Hotchkiss - The Salt Water Sea
6. Flameproof Mascara - Immaculate and Deadpan

Placing the lush yellow vinyl LP on the turntable, an act I never tire of, this groundbreaking library and its landmark debut opens on the drum-led, harmonica-driven, sultry soft vocals and low key pop fuzz of Daniprobably’s Cowboy and the low slung, countrified, Americana-hued You’re Okay (Alexandra Burnet & the Stable Six), and then brings us Ports of Spain’s indie pop-jangle of All You Can Carry, the foot-tapping, early ’80s pop-rock of Lulu Lewis’ All Just Pretending, the first side rounding out on the atmospherically-charged, guitar-blended The Salt Water Sea (Terri Lynn Hotchkiss) and Flameproof Mascara’s upbeat, joyous, indie-driven Immaculate and Deadpan.

Side B:
7. The Problem With Kids Today - Validation (No Vacations)
8. The Zambonis - The Gretzky Twist
9. MIGHTYMOONCHEW & Dooley-O - Jus Bcuz
10. Tiny Ocean - Culling of an Ache
11. John Collinge Jazz Quartet - I Could Write a Book
12. Sheneta Nicole - Love Languages

Flipping the vinyl over and next out the gate is the punk angst of The Problem With Kids Today’s Validation (No Vacations) and the Petty-esque, veritably surf rock-hued The Gretzky Twist (The Zambonis), and they are in turn followed by the tantalizing, infectiously emboldened Jus Bcuz (MIGHTYMOONCHEW & Dooley-O), Tiny Ocean’s ornately sculptured indie ballad Culling of an Ache, the music coming to an end with the flirtatiously- flighty, finger-snapping piano and percussion jazz jam that is the John Collinge Jazz Quartet’s instrumental I Could Write a Book and the Adele-esque Love Languages by Sheneta Nicole.

The Westport Library, located in southwest Connecticut and serving New England and the tri-state area, has been touted as one of the coolest and most innovative libraries in the country from musicians and industry professionals alike. It was honored with a 5-star rating from Public Library Service’s 2022 Library Journal Index — distinguishing it as one of the top 2% libraries in the nation.

There are many things that make this library special, but one of its standouts is Verso Studios. This inviting multimedia facility boasts an array of state-of-the-art spaces including: the hybrid-analog SSL Recording Studio created by Rob Fraboni (the design genius behind Bob Dylan and The Band’s famed Shangri-La Studios); a broadcast control suite with cutting-edge video production and livestream capabilities; a post-production suite; and Trefz Forum (a 600-capacity performance venue where Verso just concluded its second annual four-day music and media festival VersoFest).

Formed under the Verso Studios umbrella in the spring of 2022 is the adjacent independent record label Verso Records. On Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, Verso Studios will unveil its debut Verso Records: Volume One. The compilation will be available on all digital platforms and on beautiful, bright yellow, limited edition vinyl — making it the first piece of vinyl to be recorded, produced, and released by a public library.

Supporting and showcasing local talent, the LP culls 12 live tracks from Connecticut and tri-state area artists, recorded by Audio Studios Manager and in-house sound engineer Travis Bell at The Westport Library’s Verso Studios. It features a diverse array of artists across all genres (rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, hip hop, folk, indie) heralding the oft-unsung heroes of the region.

Standout tracks include indie-rock band Daniprobably’s “Cowboy,” produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Katis (Interpol, The National, Kurt Vile, Sharon Von Etten); futuristic hip-hop from MIGHTYMOONCHEW with “Jus Bcuz,” produced by influential hip-hop icon Dooley-O; Alexandra Burnet & The Stable Six’s lush, ethereal, eight-piece arrangement of the meditative “You’re Okay,” and many others.

Official Purchase Link

Daniprobably - Cowboy - Official Video [Sessions at Verso Studios]

The Zambonis - The Gretzky Twist - Official Video [Sessions at Verso Studios]

Lulu Lewis - All Just Pretending - Official Video [Sessions at Verso Studios]