Genesis Japanese Imports
Posted by: av in bc on 28 December 2003
Do the Japanese Imports (Re-Mastered) sound better or different than the U.S/Canadian ones?
Are they worth the extra money and time to get them?
Also there seems to be two versions of Japanese cd's, one has a blue logo on the top left and the other does not. The one with the blue logo always costs more, why?
Are they worth the extra money and time to get them?
Also there seems to be two versions of Japanese cd's, one has a blue logo on the top left and the other does not. The one with the blue logo always costs more, why?
Posted on: 30 December 2003 by J.N.
The different coloured logos don't mean anything, but I'm a great believer in Japanese produced discs having the best sound quality.
This applies to new stuff as well. I love the new Vertical Horizon album 'Go'. I have a USA produced copy and liked it enough to 'risk' a Japanese copy.
As usual; it sounds better (and has an additional track)
The same applies to the latest Richard Thompson CD also. Older remasters are stunningly good from Japan.
I posted recently about old Focus CD's; and the Japanese 'Rumours' (Fleetwood Mac) has to be heard to be believed!
No one has yet been able to explain to me why these Japanese produced discs, put all the others in the shade.
P.S. Thanks for jogging my memory - I really must order a Japanese produced 'Selling England By The Pound' at least!
This applies to new stuff as well. I love the new Vertical Horizon album 'Go'. I have a USA produced copy and liked it enough to 'risk' a Japanese copy.
As usual; it sounds better (and has an additional track)
The same applies to the latest Richard Thompson CD also. Older remasters are stunningly good from Japan.
I posted recently about old Focus CD's; and the Japanese 'Rumours' (Fleetwood Mac) has to be heard to be believed!
No one has yet been able to explain to me why these Japanese produced discs, put all the others in the shade.
P.S. Thanks for jogging my memory - I really must order a Japanese produced 'Selling England By The Pound' at least!
Posted on: 30 December 2003 by av in bc
I hear from the Genesis site that they are the same remasters as the definitive collection, except of course the kicking packaging including the original LP labels (Charisma) printed on the discs. I figure that the improved quality of these imported cd's is due to a better quality disc and reproduction system, the same as Japanese imported LP's back in the day having better vinyl.
Posted on: 31 December 2003 by Sam Saffadi
av
The difference you describe in the logos has to do with the different Japanese releases of the Genesis titles. The first press sometime in 1999 had the round blue 'Virgin' logo on the top of the obi strip. If you collected all of these Genesis cds and put them in sequence, the word 'genesis' would be spelled out on the obi spines. Which meant you had to buy some of the crappier Genesis cds to achieve this. As these became scarce, titles like The Lamb and Foxtrot started to routinely fetch in excess of $100 on ebay.
As with most 'limited' runs of these mini lp cds the Japanese did a re-issue sometime in 2002. But only of the Trespass through Duke lps. The top of the obi now had the 'genesis' logo and no clever gimmick on the spine. So the reason the first press is more expensive is purely cosmetics on the obi. The cds and sleeves are identical.
With the second press they also produced a very limited slipcase box with Nursery Crime artwork, which is lovely, and houses all the second issue cds. These boxes are now quite rare and expensive and only occasionally come up on ebay.
A word of warning - collecting these Japanese mini lp cds can become addictive as most are very faithful renditions of the original lps - in some cases down to the type of paper used etc (i.e. recent Traffic - John Barleycorn).
They are nice to look at and display though - and the sound quality is generally superior, as you know.
Oh dear, what a trainspotting first post.
Happy Hunting and Happy New Year
Sam
The difference you describe in the logos has to do with the different Japanese releases of the Genesis titles. The first press sometime in 1999 had the round blue 'Virgin' logo on the top of the obi strip. If you collected all of these Genesis cds and put them in sequence, the word 'genesis' would be spelled out on the obi spines. Which meant you had to buy some of the crappier Genesis cds to achieve this. As these became scarce, titles like The Lamb and Foxtrot started to routinely fetch in excess of $100 on ebay.
As with most 'limited' runs of these mini lp cds the Japanese did a re-issue sometime in 2002. But only of the Trespass through Duke lps. The top of the obi now had the 'genesis' logo and no clever gimmick on the spine. So the reason the first press is more expensive is purely cosmetics on the obi. The cds and sleeves are identical.
With the second press they also produced a very limited slipcase box with Nursery Crime artwork, which is lovely, and houses all the second issue cds. These boxes are now quite rare and expensive and only occasionally come up on ebay.
A word of warning - collecting these Japanese mini lp cds can become addictive as most are very faithful renditions of the original lps - in some cases down to the type of paper used etc (i.e. recent Traffic - John Barleycorn).
They are nice to look at and display though - and the sound quality is generally superior, as you know.
Oh dear, what a trainspotting first post.
Happy Hunting and Happy New Year
Sam
Posted on: 02 January 2004 by Stephen Bennett
So where do you guys get these from?
regards
Stephen
regards
Stephen
Posted on: 02 January 2004 by J.N.
Hi Stephen
www.101cd.com
All inclusive prices in UK sterling, so you don't have to worry about incurring import duties etc.
Select an artiste; then click on the Japanese flag to see what's available.
Patience is required as one has to wait for the item to be shipped from Japan - But it's worth it!
www.101cd.com
All inclusive prices in UK sterling, so you don't have to worry about incurring import duties etc.
Select an artiste; then click on the Japanese flag to see what's available.
Patience is required as one has to wait for the item to be shipped from Japan - But it's worth it!
Posted on: 05 January 2004 by Sam Saffadi
Stephen
I agree with J.N. - 101cd is probably the easiest way of getting the mini lp cds in the UK. Although their inventory is OK - the only way to see the real breadth of what is available in the format is to do an ebay search for 'Japan mini lp'. All of the regular ebay sellers are very reputable, particularly the Japanese. Ebay is also one of the only ways to get your hands on the promo boxes. As ebay auctions are normally priced in $'s - given the current $/£ exchange rate there are relative bargains to be had. If you are patient.
A good US site is Electric Obiland (www.obiland.com), which has the most comprehensive inventory. Although their postage is expensive I have found they manage to avoid importation duties. Also Red Trumpet (www.redtrumpet.com) has good inventory and frequent sales if you get on their mailing list. Not sure about import duties though as I normally get them shipped to my family in the States (free shipping for orders over $30 in the USA).
I have also found some Japanese imports at Tower Records, Piccadilly Circus (mostly Jazz).
Sam
I agree with J.N. - 101cd is probably the easiest way of getting the mini lp cds in the UK. Although their inventory is OK - the only way to see the real breadth of what is available in the format is to do an ebay search for 'Japan mini lp'. All of the regular ebay sellers are very reputable, particularly the Japanese. Ebay is also one of the only ways to get your hands on the promo boxes. As ebay auctions are normally priced in $'s - given the current $/£ exchange rate there are relative bargains to be had. If you are patient.
A good US site is Electric Obiland (www.obiland.com), which has the most comprehensive inventory. Although their postage is expensive I have found they manage to avoid importation duties. Also Red Trumpet (www.redtrumpet.com) has good inventory and frequent sales if you get on their mailing list. Not sure about import duties though as I normally get them shipped to my family in the States (free shipping for orders over $30 in the USA).
I have also found some Japanese imports at Tower Records, Piccadilly Circus (mostly Jazz).
Sam