Soda – Britpop Band Collectible Trident II Studio Reel – Very Good w/ Box & Engineer Notes

Condition Details: Please check all photos of the item carefully, as they form part of the description of the condition of the item. This Trident II Studio Reel is in very good condition, professionally handled and clearly labeled. Recorded on 12th November 1995, it features two rare tracks from Soda’s self-produced session with engineer Andy Riley. The reel has been stored securely and retains excellent fidelity.

What's Included: This listing includes the Original Box and Trident II Studio Log Sheet, with handwritten session notes and technical details. The reel contains Sound 1 (Andy Riley & Neil – Reference Pass) and Tracey’s Killer (Andy Riley – Reference Pass). These tracks are marked as reference passes, suggesting early mixdowns or rough masters. The reel is labeled as a master, recorded at 30 ips, and includes Dolby tone calibration, adding to its studio authenticity.

About the Item: Soda were a Britpop band from Hull, England, formed in 1994. They emerged during the height of the mid-1990s Britpop boom, blending melodic guitar pop with touches of punk and new wave. The group consisted of Ocean Reid (vocals), Liam Maloy (bass/vocals), Mike Milner (guitar), Chris Charlton (guitar), and Carl Lonsdale (drums).

Signed to Mercury/Fontana Records between 1995 and 1997, Soda released a few singles including The Young Own The Town (1995) and Inside (1996). Their debut album, Artificial Flavour, was recorded during this period but was shelved by their label and only officially released twenty years later in 2016.

Their music captured the bright, energetic sound of the Britpop era, with catchy choruses and jangly guitars comparable to acts like Ash, Sleeper, and Echobelly. Critics have described their songs as “a perfect time capsule of mid-90s guitar pop.” Despite strong material, Soda’s career was cut short by label setbacks and bad timing.

Today, the band enjoys cult status among Britpop enthusiasts, with their rediscovered debut gaining positive retrospective attention. Artificial Flavour stands as a snapshot of a band that could have been much bigger had things gone differently.