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Bob Blank is a music producer and sound engineer who ran Blank Tape Studios which opened in New York in 1976.

Background

Bob Blank originally wanted to be a session guitarist but following his move to New York, he realized that he didn't have what it took to get in. He stayed in the music scene and started record producing and sound engineering. Working as an engineer on "To Be with You" by Jimmy Sabater proved successful as the song became a disco hit. Encouraged by the success of that he started his own studio which was called Blank Tapes. Many disco and funk recordings were done there, and it was part of the "mutant disco scene". Artists such as James Chance, Lizzy Mercier-Descloux, Kid Creole and Cristina had either worked with him or had their recordings produced by him.

Blank produced countless artists during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was referred to as a studio dynamo by Record Collector magazine. As a producer Bob Blank has produced recordings which include "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa and "Ain’t Nobody" by Chaka Khan.

August Darnell said that His studio was a haven for creative artists, and he would try things that other engineers wouldn't dare. Along with Darnell, as a producer, Blank was connected to the ZE record label which released recordings by the Aural Exciters etc. One album featured Taana Gardner.

Personal life

His former wife is Lola who had performed with James Brown.

Having a passion for ballroom dancing, Blank has been successful competing in events with his partner Martha Estevez. He was a winner in the Senior Latin World Championships in Paris, France in 2014.

Career

1970s - 1980s

While working at Delta Recording Corp. in New York in 1974, Blank produced "Happy Birthday, My Darling" for Nelson Ned and an LP for Luis Ramirez.

Blank was the engineer on the self-titled album by Latin music ensemble Orquesta Cimarron which was released on TR Records TR 115X in 1975. It was reviewed in the 17 January 1976 issue of Record World. The album was produced by Marty Sheller and arrangements by Pupi Lagarreta, Marty Sheller, Harry Shields, Sonny Bravo, Ron Davis and Wilfredo Mullings. The good mixing by Blank was noted.

In 1978, Instant Funk's single, "I Got My Mind Made Up" was released. The work in the mix by DJ Larry Levan and Bob Blank resonated throughout Manhattan and it became a hit on the R&B and disco charts, making it to no. 1 and no. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Working with Lydia Lunch, Blank co-produced her Queen of Siam album which was released in 1980 on ZE ZEA 33006. It was reviewed in the 1 March 1980 issue of Cash Box. The reviewer called it an interesting album.

Blank was the engineer on "Jam to Remember" by Just Four which was released on Brad Osborne's Grand Groove record label in 1982.

1990s - 2020s

According to 2010 article by Clash, Blank was recording sound-alike tracks for library music and karaoke formats.

It was announced by The Quietus in an article published on 3 March 2021 that alternative mixes by Bob Blank for Sun Ra's 1978 album Lanquidity would be part of CD release and CD and 4-LP box set to be released on the Strut label on 28 May that year.

References

1. Red Bull Music Academy Daily, 22 Dec 2015 - Interview: New York Record Producer Bob Blank
2. Record Collector, 03 October 2011 - THE KID is still alright, Going Places
3. Ranson Note - House Hunting #35 – Lola
4. Record Collector, 03 October 2011 - THE KID is still alright, Going Places
5. Record World, August 25, 1979 - Page 46 Disco File (Continued from page 22)
6. Ebony, April 1992 - Page 120 Superboy continued, Mother and manager
7. Sweet Tips from Lola!’S Lips, By Lola! Love · 2015 - ISBN 9781504337441, 1504337441 - Acknowledgements
8. Latin Moves - Bob Blank
9. Clash, 06 · 01 · 2010 - Bob Blank Retrospective Due
10. Billboard, August 31, 1974 - Page 26 Studio Track By Bob Kirsch
11. Record World< January 17, 1976 - Page 101 Record World Latin American Picks, Orquesta Cimarron TR Records TR 115X
12. Soul Years - Instant Funk Songs
13. Cash Box, March 1, 1980 - Page 15 Reviews Album Reviews, Queen Of Siam — Lydia Lunch — ZE ZEA 3300
14. Humthrush, 10 Dec 2022 - The 50 Best Rap Singles of 1982: Just Four
15. Clash, 06 · 01 · 2010 - Bob Blank Retrospective Due
16. The Quietus, 3 March 2021 - News, Sun Ra’s 1978 Album ‘Lanquidity’ To Be Reissued By Christian Eede

External links

• Discogs - Bob Blank

• American audio engineers
• American record producers