Desired Effect by The Shakers

Next up in Smooth Maneuver's restoration project for indy label Hit a Note Records is an elusive masterwork by Lexington, Kentucky-based trio The Shakers. Desired Effect was released in 1987, and power-pop fans have long sought scarce vinyl copies while longing for a digital option to own and enjoy these ten unforgettable songs.

Recording artists included Wes Hawkins, who also wrote all but one of the included tracks, his brother Tracy Hawkins, who wrote the remaining track, and Robert Zimmerman (no, not that one), who provided essential, in-the-pocket drums and percussion. At the recording console of his Louisville Real to Reel Studios was Jeff Carpenter, a multi-gifted entrepreneur who also founded and managed Hit a Note.

As reviewer RecordDigger noted:

Stand out indie guitar led alternative pop rock new wave
This trio from Kentucky impresses with their well crafted alternative guitar led modern rocker. There's power pop flourishes and new wave rock, but it's all highly melodic and catchy! Highly recommended.

The audio for this restoration was extracted from a vinyl LP, and exactingly processed with proprietary analog and digital tools with the goal of a sound true to the long-lost original master tape, while brought in line with contemporary SPL and tonal palette expectations. All rights reserved as of 11.2025 - No commercial reproduction permitted without express authorization from the artists and Smooth Maneuver NYC.