Kuma,

I've only had good experiences with the EMI Japanese Blue Notes. I have 4 of them; Dizzy Reece, Clifford Brown, Art Blakey and Herbie Hancock. All are excellent pressings on 150g vinyl. I agree they can be hard to buy unless you enter the Japanese market but the postal charges can be prohibitive.

ATB

Steve

Steve,

I also have the Toshiba EMI Herbie Hancock Japanese pressing but the EMI Ella in Berlin wasn't that great.

Have you tried the new Prestige Mono Series reissues yet?

If so, report back!

Kuma:

The report on the Steve Hoffman forum is that the Music Matters are considerably better than the new Japan EMI issues. They are actually cheaper, too, which sort of seals it for me.

I am loving the Music Matters reissues, BTW, highly recommended.

Jay

Have you gotten any of the other MOFI Costellos? I just received Imperial Bedroom and I thought it turned out very well. The MOFI reissues of the first three albums were very good as well IMHO, particularly This Year's Model.

Jay,

Yeah but all Music Matter releases are 45s aren't they?

I was wondering out of all the 33rpm reissues, which one comes out on top and the DBLP007 Series caught my eyes because Kevin Gray did the remastering. 

btw, have you gotten any of those new Prestige mono reissues? 

All 45. Not so bad with bop and a Radikal, keeps you moving. Try it; you'll like it.

I don't know if anyone has done a straight 33rpm comparison. I haven't.

I have not tried the Prestige reissues and wil not since they are Analogue Productions. It's too bad because they are great titles.

Kuma,

I agree with Jay about the MM 45's. You should try one. Like Jay I haven't tried the Prestige reissues. Let us know if you do.

ATB

Steve

Jay & Steve,

I've been there and I have a few of their 45s. 

I am not disputing the sound quality of Music Matters.

What I could not deal with was flipping records that many times.

Believe me i was gonna put up with it cuz, they do sound great but no, but it just spoilt the continuity every time I put 'em on the turntable. They do sound good but just as I get into the groove I had to get back to the 'reality'.

That's why I was holding out to go to the 'Geddon for the longest time. But after I got so annoyed with the short playing time AND there aren't many other 45 titles I own or interested in so I finally demoed the Geddon vs. Radikal at my dealer. ( I was running a Lingo back then )

I might try a few Prestige mono. I don't have any other records to compare against, certainly not mega $$$ original, so they might hold up OK if they are not compared against directly.

Hope that the production value is better than above 200g Classic Records reissue.

So this point what I am looking for is something good other than 45 reissues  and original issues. ( former is a nuisance and latter in mint condition is over the top in price )

Jay, 

Any other new reissue other than Music Matters you've come acrossed lately?

A bit off thread.

This Prog album by Airbag is a first time pressing on double vinyl.

The CD came out a couple of years ago and due to public demand they have just brought it out on vinyl.

It gets ticks in all boxes from me.

Brilliant album and two nice thick pressings.

One of the best sounding new vinyl albums i have bought in the last few years.

Brilliant cover design also.

Stu.

Stu:

I don't see it on Amazon. Where did you find it?

Thanks.

Jay 

Hi Jay,

The Airbag LP is available from Burning Shed...

https://www.burningshed.com/st...ck/product/119/3982/ 

Denis

Denis,

I have to laugh some times other wise its drink bleach or slit my wrists.

How come they can put out an old album on vinyl for the first time that shites all over there latest vinyl album for quality production and pressing?????????????????????????????

Stu.

Hi Stu,

I've not heard it yet and won't be able to until Nov. I'm getting my Arkiv re-tipped @ Expert Stylus, but have to wait until the end of Oct for my booking . Looking forward to hearing the LP though, as well as my other vinyl purchases.

Denis

Denis,

You can get a lift down with Dave at the end of this month and have a listen?

They will be playing here.

Stu

Thanks Stu, hopefully I can make it.

Thanks, Denis.

I'm currently musicless as well. It sucks. I'm having my SNAXO recapped. Hopefully it will be back soon.

Jay,

Let me know how your recap works out. I am waiting to get mine done. Over a month's worth of other people's gear to service before Chris can get to mine.

Mozart Symphony No.40 & 41: Karajan/Berlin Phil

Label: Hi-Q Records Supercuts
180g Vinyl/ Stereo/ EC/HIQLP023
Re-Mastering by: N/A Cut at Abbey Road Studios from the original stereo analogue master tapes with the Neumann VMS82 lathe fed an analogue pre-cut signal from a specially adapted Studer A80 tape deck with additional ‘advance’ playback head, making the cut a totally analogue process.

Release date: 2012

Sound Quality:

Thin and synthetic sounding massed strings in spite they claim it's all analogue process. The presentation too distant and cold.

Unlike the last Muti Hi-Q LP, this disc was free of manufacturing defects and plays through without pops and clicks.  However, the noise floor is too high for an audiophile reissue.

Particularly on quiter passages, the noise level is not acceptable for a record claiming to be *audiophile* pressing with a premium pricing. Even a standard vinyl pressing from current DG releases have a better noise floor than this.  

Also this record does not sound completely transparent. It's got a glazed veil over the music. In addition it is entirely lacking the low frequency bloom and weight. Timpani has no impact. At times it sounds like a bad red book CD from the 80s. 

Packaging Quality:

Sturdy laminated cardboard outer and white inner. Printing quality is decent with no registration problems. Like MOFI, they don't preserve the original label.

Music Matters keep getting their hooks into me

Not nearly as good an album performance wise as Empyrean Isles, but easily among the best sounding LPs I own. Very nice piano sound and the percussion is amazing, bordering on "audiophile demonstration LP" stuff. But, I don't enjoy the overall performance as much as I'd hope. Worth some more listens...

I agree Music Matters pressings are excellent. I wish I could buy more of them in the UK. 

Steve

Bill Evans: New Jazz Conceptions

Label: Analogue Productions
180g Vinyl/ Mono/ US ( pressed at Pallas Germany? )/AAPJ 12-223
Re-Mastering by: N/A No credit anywhere.

Release date: 2010

I've two other OJC ( Original Jazz Classic ) reissues. One is a US pressing other is made in Germany by BERNHARD MIKULSKI Schallplatten-Vertriebs-GmbH. 

The German OJC album has a gloss varnish whereas the US copy has a mat finish on the cover. Otherwise flip the record and check the manufacture. I recommend avoid the one with the bar cord. This German pressing, I suspect, is sourced from a CD or some crappy digital material. The sound of this pressing is canned, veiled and severely dynamically challenged and shouting and spitty sibilance throughout. 'i-pod' Grade sonics.

The New Jazz Conceptions is one of my favourite Bill Evans album which contains 'Waltz for Debby'. It's hard to believe only 800 copies were sold when it came out. I hope I could get to hear the mint Riverside original someday. 

Sound Quality: 

Compared to the US OJC reissue ( German copy doesn't even rate ), this Analogue Production Reissue has a better swing and firmer bass footing. It's fairly obvious on the opening tune ( 'I Love You' ) or the Side B first track 'Speak Low' where the walking bass line is somewhat vague and plodding whereas the AP copy gives it a clearer firmer bass foundation. 

Clarity is also better so the cymbal crushes and note decays are better heard. Forward and natural midrange and the up tempo tunes swing better.

Considering the original in mint condition is out of my reach, I am very happy with this reissue. I thought the OJC version was pretty good till I have heard this copy. Low noise ( virtually no clicks or pops even before cleaning ) and dead center hole. The production on this vinyl is excellent.

Packaging Quality: 

I am not happy with the printing quality of the outer jacket. as you see it's all faded and art work isn't very sharp. They definitely did not have an access to the original art or print to scan from. Whatever they used, they touched it up badly as definitions are all lost. The one on the left is the Analogue Productions version.

The vinyl is contained in a plane white inner. Label is a replica of the original Riverside label.

One curious thing I have noticed on these reissues is that the on the back, the birth date of Evans differs from the other two copies.

The AP version says he was born in 1921, other two 1929. 

If we believe Wikipedia, OJC text is a typo.

Anyways, a nicer packaging would have been nice, but I can cut them some slack as the remastering and manufacturing are excellent. 

John Coltrane: Coltrane

Hank Mobleys: Message 

Label: Analogue Productions Prestige Mono Series
200g Vinyl/ Mono/ US ( pressed at Quality Record Pressings&nbsp/APRJ 7061(Mobleys) APRJ 7105 ( Coltrane )
Re-Mastering by: Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

Release Year: 2012

Sound Quality: 

I do not have the original releases in mint ( $$$ ), or OJC reissue to compare but these titles are interesting enough for me to give them a shot. Analogue Production will be releasing a set of Prestige Monos and Stereos, 25 titles each, all through this year and next year. Kevin Gray being a principle engineer for all. They won't be any overlap in titles and personally I found the Mono release includes what I want. 

I know some folks here do not care for the Analogue Production release for its laid back quality but without anything to compare, these I found very very good. The first track on the Coltrane jumps out and the band swinging from the top and I found it's got a forward perspective which I like. Vivid tonal colour of the sax and drums. If i were to criticise a just a little, I would have loved to hear a firmer bass line with clearer snap.  I'm sure the original or 45 rpm is better ( not available ), but this is a lovely reissue for very reasonable cost. I can't wait to get his 'Lush Life' which is my old time fave.

On Mobley's Message, the mix is rather horn-centric. So, the saxes and trumpet are forward and sounds great whilst a poor piano player got short changed sounding rather muted and vague. I suppose given that Mobleys a horn player, this might have been intentional. Again, the bass line could be a bit snappier but all'n'all, I take it!

The records are flat and it boasts the original flat edge vinyl and deep groove label. Kevin Gray's name on the dead wax.

Packaging Quality: 

Sturdy gloss laminated cardboard with bright and sharp artwork. I haven't seen the original jacket but the text is nice and black litho. It would have been really sweet if they have duplicated the original letter press! Antistatic inner and a 4pg colour sell sheet showcasing upcoming releases from the Analogue Productions.

I just got these two to test the waters to see, but I think i will be getting the rest based on what I hear.

Wish Speaker's Corner or HQ Classical releases sound natural like these records!

Time to eat some humble pie. Like the post above I have often said I wouldn't buy another MOFI reissue due to poor past experiences. However, after some good reports I bought the 45rpm Bob Dylan 'Freewheelin' and a very fine package it is too. The SQ is excellent with no significant surface noise. The packaging is also well produced. Can anyone with this LP recommend other MOFI reissues of a similar quality? Is Santana Abraxas good?

ATB

Steve

I have had mixed joy with MoFi also. The one I really like is Thick as a Brick. Had it for years and it is exceptional. Wouldn't want to pay the premium it goes for nowadays (especally since the Wilson remaster is out soon). I have Blood on the Tracks on order and am not sure whether to expect something yummy, or a clunker. It isn't available on 45 for some reason.

Steve - regarding Abraxas. I have the Mofi of the 1st Santana LP as well as an original. But have not heard Abraxas specifically because I have its predecessor. it is quiet, and has good detail. But it just doesn't engage you. Generally Santana grab my attention fully. But the MoFi version, after a few minutes very nicely makes me drift off. I begin to wonder if I fancy a cup of tea, and try to recall the last time I cleared my gutters.

So my counsel is avoid. You can still get a minty 1st press of Abraxas for less than £15. And boy, does that record sing. And I bet you do have an original - you don't need another version..

Click,

As you've probably seen my experience with MOFI has not been good prior to the Bob Dylan LP. Thanks for your advise about Abraxas. Yes, I do have an original albeit well played copy.

ATB

Steve