TRAVERS, PAT radio active 28MM0026

Experimental Blues-Rock Fusion: Pat Travers ‘Radio Active’ Japanese White Label Promo (28MM 0026)

Released in May 1981, Radio Active is the sixth studio album by Canadian guitar virtuoso Pat Travers. This record captures a pivotal moment in Travers’ career, moving toward a more polished and experimental sound that blended his signature blues-rock power with early 80s rock & roll sensibilities. The album features an elite lineup of musicians, including the dual-guitar attack of Travers and Pat Thrall, bassist Mars Cowling, and world-class percussion from Michael Shrieve and drummers Tommy Aldridge and Sandy Gennaro. Produced by Dennis MacKay and Travers himself, the album remains a standout for its technical precision and creative arrangements.

Rare White Label Promo Specifications

This specific edition is a highly sought-after White Label Promo, a status reserved for industry-only copies distributed prior to the official retail release. These pressings are distinguished by their plain white labels featuring the Japanese “Sample” (見本盤) designation, contrasting with the standard red Polydor labels. For collectors and audiophiles, these promo copies are particularly valuable because they were typically manufactured using the earliest stampers, offering a level of sonic clarity and dynamic range that often surpasses standard commercial pressings.

Archival Packaging and Complete Inclusions

The album is presented in its definitive Japanese format, maintaining the high manufacturing standards associated with Polydor K.K. in the early 1980s. It comes complete with its original Obi strip, an essential component for any complete Japanese collection. Additionally, the release includes the original lyric insert, providing bilingual text and contextual information for the Japanese market. With its superior vinyl quality and quiet surfaces, this 1981 promotional pressing serves as the ultimate archival document of the Pat Travers Band’s evolution during the high-tech rock era of the early 80s.