Speaking of Brubeck - does anyone have any impressions of the Atlantic vinyl version of this:

I have the CD, could be my favorite Brubeck. The Atlantic vinyl version is available sealed/new for reasonable prices, MOFI CD & Vinyl for silly money.

Three Good Re-Issues for you:

Gong: Angel's Egg

Get Back Vinyl LP Re-issue. GET 613. Released under licence from Charly

Release date: 2002

Sound Quality - 4/5

This is a good clean piece of vinyl, sounding quiet but the music is vibrant and engaging enough to be a recommendation. Good original copies of this are expensive and this version is a great alternative.

Packaging Quality - 4/5

Gatefold sleeve with lined inner. Good printing with all original artwork, done with care.

Embryo, featuring Charlie Mariano: We Keep On

Wah Wah Records Vinyl LP Re-issue. LPS079. Released under licence from Christian Burchard

Release date: 2010

Strictly limited to 500 copies. Wah Wah is a record shop from Spain with its own label. rather like our own dear Diverse Vinyl. They take great care with their issues, both sound and art.

Sound Quality - 4/5

Sound quality is just good. And if you like Gong, or Weather Report, or Return to Forever, you should like this. Charlie Mariano is on top form on this 1972 recording by the German group.

Packaging Quality - 4/5

Quality gatefold cover reproducing the artwork from the original BASF  1973 issue. Exclusive liner notes w/ the band’s history. 

Focus: Focus III

Music On Vinyl Vinyl LP Re-issue. MOVLP022.

Release date: 2009

Sound Quality - 4/5

I have an original 1972 pressing and this is every bit as good, although it presents in a different way. I don't have the words to explain it properly, but really can't decide which I like better. This has the advantage that the monumental rack 'Anonymus II' is now all on one side. If you fancy a new/clean copy this is well worth having. And its a belter of a record.

Packaging Quality - 4/5

Gatefold sleeve with lined inner. Good printing with all original artwork, just fine.

One duff re-issue to be warned about:

Spirit: Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus

Sundazed Vinyl LP Re-issue.LP5277. Released under what must have had fluff on the disc cutter.

Release date: 2009

Sound Quality - 2/5

Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus is such an important and great record. This is such a disappointment - shut in, flat, lifeless.

Packaging Quality - 2/5

Gatefold sleeve. Artwork looks like a primary school children's project.

I have a mid 70s copy of this wonderful record which is miles better than this. Can't think of much more to say other than:

Avoid.

And three awesome re-issues. They should be, as they are expensive. Nonetheless highly recommended:

Mendelssohn: Symphony No 3 'Scotch' and Fingal's Cave Overture OP26 - LSO Peter Maag

Original Recordings Group. ORG 106. 45 rpm Limited edition 2,500 copies.

Mastered: Bernie Grundman from original master tapes.

Release date: 2011

Sound Quality - 5/5

See below for overall comment

Packaging Quality - 5/5

See below for overall comment

Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream - LSO Peter Maag

Original Recordings Group. ORG 108. 45 rpm Limited edition 2,500 copies.

Mastered: Bernie Grundman from original master tapes.

Release date: 2011

Sound Quality - 5/5

See below for overall comment

Packaging Quality - 5/5

See below for overall comment

Chabrier: Espana, plus Rimsky-Korssakov, Granados, and Moszkowski LSO Ataulfo Argenta

Original Recordings Group. ORG 104. 45 rpm Limited edition 2,500 copies.

Mastered: Bernie Grundman from original master tapes.

Release date: 2011

Sound Quality - 5/5

See below

Packaging Quality - 5/5

Review Comments on these re-issues:

All three of these releases have the same quality and characteristics in my view so I thought it best to comment on them as a whole. They are all top notch recordings and performances. I encountered them on CD from the Decca Sound Box Set, and have noted Kuma, Jay, and Richard speak of the titles earlier in this thread. Liking the CDs I decided to stump up top dollar for these records.

They are special. But they are 45s - some find them too much work of course. I think I will pass on some official review wordings (from Audio Beat Review, and Michael Fremer) and simply add I endorse what is said, having played them:

Fremer: 

"As for the recording, well, it's stunning in any format and even more so spread to three sides at 45rpm mastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes... A superb reissue!"

Audio Beat:

"....But the most important reason to cut LPs at 45rpm is improved sound, and these reissues deliver in abundance. The soundscapes are huge -- wall to wall and as deep as your audio system will provide. Horns cascade, tympani is quick-paced and taut, and strings resound in mass while achieving adept delineation. Dynamics are massive yet scale up and down nimbly and smoothly. I have a dozen or so original Blue Backs, some recorded in the same venues as these titles, but none conveys the sense of the whole orchestra and the individual musicians as well as these LPs.

In fact, I don't think I've ever heard an orchestra captured with greater expansiveness and focus. While one of these recordings is over 50 years old and the other is almost there, they both sound fresh, and the music is exhilarating, even for those who don't generally listen to orchestral recordings".

There we are. Pricey but good. And how interesting it would be to compare them with originals.

Cheers

Click.

Thank you for posting mrclick!

I need to get on with more reissues but I am still stuck on Mozart! ( altho, there are still several Speakers Corner Mozart records I haven't listened to )

Kuma

I'm sure we will all forgive you for not posting for a bit longer as long as you use the time to spin tunes!

Beethoven was 'stuck on Mozart' for some time so you are in good company.

And if he were still alive he would be wanting you to play some of that Jarvi set!! 

Go on, you know you want to

I have never heard the original vinyl copy of this album.

My music on vinyl 180g remaster came from the usa back end of last week.

Two plays today(Both sides) I love it.

Full of life and no rice crispies.

I CANT SAY IF THE BLACK IS BLACKER THOUGH?

I dont have a Snait Superline and    Zair plug.

Stu.

Sorry Kuma, just got back to this thread today and can't recall where I lifted that quote from.  I've been all over the net trying to get as much info as I can about the Classic Records releases (and buying quite a few) so it's a bit hard to retrace my steps.

Of the ones I've listened to so far, a real stand out was Muddy Waters' Folk Singer.  I have the MOFI version of this and the Classic Records copy is miles better.  Also excellent is John Lee Hooker's The Healer.

On Pure Pleasure Records the 2 disc set of Stevie Rae Vaughn's Couldn't Stand the Weather is also superb.  Which is good because I have been disappointed in a couple of their releases.

My Classic Records 150g copy of The Who's My Generation arrived today from England (thanks again Mr. Click!) - 4 weeks by Air Mail (!?) so I can't wait to give it a listen.

On your recommendation Kuma, I've also ordered the Brubeck Time Further Out on Impex and their just released Miles Davis' In Person at the Blackhawk.  Can't wait to hear that last one as I've never managed to find a really great sounding copy of that one.

Cheers

I recently have been bit by the Blue Note reissue bug (originals go for thousands of dollars) and have started to purchase remaining inventory of the Classic Records versions.  One title was not available on Classic - Lee Morgan's CANDY - and I decided to purchase it on the current Music Matters 45rpm reissue program.  WHAT A REVELATION.  These are absolutely spectacular!  A second Lee Morgan arrived and I am now completely hooked on these reissues.  If anyone is a member of the Steve Hoffman forum (and if you are not you belong visiting that place) you can look at a four part thread on these reissues  - each part contains 50 pages.  Two hundred pages on this perhaps ultimate reissue project.  Google it and see what comes up.

Best

Gregg

glevethan,

I just got this, which you may enjoy - from Classic records, on sale from acoustic sounds which is clearing out the rest of the Classic records inventory - you might want to check it out.

Most of the music matters jazz and classic records blue note sound spectacular. You can also factor in the Analogue Productions Blue Note, Verve and Prestige series. My favorite so far has been Wayne Shorter's Night Dreamer from Music Matters.

I started buying a lot of these over the summer (at about $40 - 50 a pop) and I have to say I'm now a bit tired of hard bop, and feel rather assaulted by the hard left/right channel separation of the recordings. The exception, again and again, is the Wayne Shorter alums - they are still fresh and I find myself listening to them the most of all of this series of reissues i have.  Roll Call from Classic, and a few others, are in mono, which I really appreciate given the hard channel separation. There's an interesting note on the music matters web site about why they went with stereo.

Mutterback

I too have been purchasing the Classic Records Blue Note close outs from Acoustic Sounds.  I have Roll Call as well as several others.  After listening to the Music Matters represses I am dong an about face and will be embarking on a journey in their direction.  The versions are all 45rpm's spread over two discs and are a SIGNIFICANT improvement over the Classic Records versions.  They are all remastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Grey (as opposed to Bernie Grundman) who, in the case of these particular reissues, have done a magnificent job.

Gregg

digger628,

I see that the Classic Records Healer is still available. I never pulled the trigger cuz, the only tune I like out of that album is the title track. :x

Have you tried any Pure Pleasure Jazz titles? After my 'Cab Calloway' experience, I am leery of their releases. ( like any of their Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee or Duke Ellignton titles )

Let us now on 'The Who's My Generation'. I hope it works out for you.

I saw that Impex has the new Davis' live album out. Let us know on that too altho, I found Impex pretty consistent in output so far.

Originally Posted by mrclick: Beethoven was 'stuck on Mozart' for some time so you are in good company.

And if he were still alive he would be wanting you to play some of that Jarvi set!! 

 

mrclick,

I have now detoured from Mozart to Mussorgsky's Boris Godounov. A hard core depressing stuff!

I know I will eventually get to the Beethoven period again.

Actually, tho, I am a bit disillusioned on new reissues. My expectation has been greatly lowered than before, for sure.

mutterback,

Thanks for the reminder. I think I'm gonna get the Classic Records version whilst they still have it.

Nice tunes.

I take it this is a stereo release?

Classic Records Hank Mobley Roll Call was released in stereo ABNC 4058S and mono ABNC 4058M.  I have the mono, and find it a nice break from the hard left/right separation of the other Blue Note bop records. See the note on the Music Matters Jazz web site about Blue Note mono vs stereo mixes - they claim most of them were meant to be stereo and the mono mix is a 50/50 combination of the stereo mix. Michael Fremer also compares the stereo and mono Classic Records version of Somethin' Else on his Music Angle web site, and he argues that the "stereo" recording was made to be mixed down to mono.  I only have the mono release of Roll Call, so can't compare.

mutterback,

Almost all the time, I prefer a mono release on 50' jazz records.

Ella's Live in Berlin ( Verve ) or Brubeck's Time Further Out ( Columbia ). 

So if they still have it in mono, I'd order the mono, too.

How's the Soul Station?

A hard 'lefty righty' thing is distracting to me and mono just have more natural presence to me.

Mozart Piano Concertos No.19 & 27: Haskil/Fricsay/Berlin Phil/

Symphonie-Orchester der Bayerischen Rundfunks
Label: Speakers Corner
180g Vinyl/Mono/Germany
Re-Mastering by: ??
Release date: 2009

Sound Quality:

I do not have the original pressing to compare this with but as earlier Speakers Corner's reissue, this is a low noise clean reissue. Piano is placed right in front and piano tone is clear and transparent. No tape hiss to detract even the delicate pianissimo showing through.

Massed strings can sound a tad peaky and dry. I wish there was a bit more sweetness to them.  The midrange is slightly veiled but it avoids sounding squeaky clean.

This is my first listen of Clara Haskil. She's lovely. I like her lyrical, expressive style and this reissue does justice to her delicate but firm and clear note delivery.

Packaging Quality:
Laminated heavy cardboard. Moiré patterns showing on the B&W photos on the cover.
Plain white paper inner. Printing is bright and vivid, however. 

Disc is slightly warped. It does not affect the sound quality but the record should be flat at this price. Also, the rim has a chipped edge. (This copy was a new sealed copy bought from Music Direct in the US)

Mozart Notturno for Four Orchestra, K.286/Serenata, K.239/Overture to "Lucio Silla", K.135/ "Thamos, König in Ägypten", K.345: Maag/The London Symphony

Label: Speakers Corner
180g Vinyl/Stereo/Germany
Re-Mastering by: ??
Release date: 1995

Sound Quality:

This is an older release compare to the one above. The tape hiss is much higher so less black background but it does not sound as stark. Quite natural sounding and overall warmer tonal balance. Excellent stereo effect offering spacious soundstage. There is a faint tape bleed through.

It has much better instruments bloom and lower end weight compared to the DG recording and this reissue is one of the better Speakers Corner records I've bought so far. I do not have the original to compare but it doesn't have any flaws that jumps out.

Packaging Quality: 
No laminate. Only a gloss varnish on the lighter weight jacket. A copy of Decca Inner with Speakers Corner release info sheet. Black text on the back is badly broken up and faint.

Looks like Analogue Productions is reissuing the miles davis prestige recordings (Workin, Steamin, Relaxing, Cookin, Walkin) in mono. $30 a pop. hmmm.  I was considering their 45rpm box set of those and just saw the mono versions.

Those Miles Davis recordings haven't bothered me as much in stereo as the blue note hard bop ones. I'll let you know if I take a gamble on one.

Anyone have the stereo Analogue Productions Miles Davis reissues?

Hi Mutterbuck,

I've noticed those Analogue Productions reissues also. I don't have any as yet but I do have a number of Classic Record mono albums which I love. I have to agree, as usual, with Kuma that the monos have a more natural presentation. In fact, on my system, the soundstage of these albums has great depth and certainly doesn't sound flat. My favourites are Kenny Burrell 'Midnight Blue', Johns Coltraine 'Blue Train', Cannonball Adderley 'Somethin' Else' and I also have the mono version of Hank Mobley 'Soul Station'. I have the stereo versions of these in my collection and they do suffer from being a little right/left. But, one stereo album I can recommend is the 45rpm version of Somethin' Else. It is somethin' special with superb SQ.

ATB

Steve

Chaps,

Any other *new* Analogue Production mono reissues other than Miles Davis?

Has anyone tried the Capitol 180g reissue of The Beach Boys Surf's Up yet?  It's one of my favourite albums and have an early '70s US pressing that's pretty good but definitely seen better days.  Such a shame that the best tracks are the final three on the inner grooves of side 2.  I've been considering springing for the reissue...

Richard,

That's a gamble as I recall many folks complaining about 'Pet Sound' Capitol reissue sounding poor as it turned out they used a digital master.

Is the above record a new release?

But Kuma, it says "audiophile quality" on the label...

Reissued end of last year AFAIK.  Agree, it's a gamble, but I've pulled the trigger on it (only a tenner at HMV right now) and will post my thoughts here once I get it and give it a spin. 

Was it in stock at hmv?

I am fed up with them at the mo.

The last six albums i have ordered have made it into the top half of there vinyl top ten.

But are no longer in stock.

Stu.

hmmm... quoting 1-2 weeks.  Didn't notice that.