Miles Davis LP (180gram) reissues

Posted by: John on 29 August 2001

Has anyone done a comparison of the new Miles Davis LP reissues (180gram) to the new CD remasters? I have about 10 of the CD remasters and am tempted to buy the vinyl but I understand they were digitally remastered. My TT is a P9 and my CD player a CDS1 but will the differences be marginal or significant.

Thanks
John

Posted on: 29 August 2001 by SaturnSF

I haven't done a comparison, but my suspicion is that they are the same digital masters as before, just pressed on 180 gram vinyl. I'd be curious to hear the "truth" on this subject as well.

Posted on: 30 August 2001 by Martin M

If you want to hear superb quality, analogue sourced Miles Davis on vinyl you need to get the Mosaic box sets. They are superb.

Posted on: 30 August 2001 by John

Thanks for the info Martin. I checked out the packages on the net and they are expensive. I very easily get lost in Miles music so I think the investment is worthwhile. Do you personally have a set? It looks like I missed the Miles/Gil Evans set. Do you know if this is available anywhere? I would love to own this along with the quintet set. I am not 100% sure on the Mile/Coltrane set. I know the music is great but I don't like how they arranged the albums with the alternate takes and original back to back.

Have you heard the Prestige Cookin, Relaxin, Workin and Steamin LP set. I understand it is good as well. Haven't been able to locate it on the net. Any suggestions?

John

Posted on: 31 August 2001 by Martin M

Yes, I have 'The Complete Studio Recordings of the Miles Davis Quintet (1965-June 1968)'. The production qualities are extremely high, the box very nice, note extremely good, pressings are great, and the master tapes analogue. Miles Smiles is transformed! Yes, they are pricey but the production values justify it, so as an occasional indulgence they are worth it.

Posted on: 01 September 2001 by John

Well I indulged! I ordered the Mosaic complete Quintet and the Mosaic John Coltrane and Miles Davis box sets along with the Rhino John Coltrane Heavyweight Champion set. This makes the most sense for me as this is the music I love and the type of music that will benefit most being on vinyl. The other alternatives would be to buy the digitally remastered pressings or waste countless hours and lots of money trying to source the original pressings.

John

Posted on: 12 September 2001 by Peter Stockwell

Just bought this CD, and the sound is very good, it's in the same series as the 'Kind of Blue', sound is maybe even better, less tape hiss.

Is this available on 180g, and any idea of how much for an early columbia pressing ?

Peter

Posted on: 12 September 2001 by Peter Stockwell

quote:
Originally posted by hockman:
I have an early Columbia 6 eye of this album which cost me $15 several years ago. It's not in perfect condition as may be expected, but sounds better than the digitally remastered CBS version on LP or CD (which came out in the 80s).
The latest CD version ain't bad at all.
Hockman

I had a fairly recent Dutch Sony pressing of KOB which wasn't as good as the Columbia/Legacy Cd from the original 3 track master. I was wondering if it was really worth getting a vinyl version.

Peter

Posted on: 13 September 2001 by SaturnSF

Recently read in Mojo that Teo Macero, Miles's producer, "raised hell" at Columbia (or what's left of it) after hearing the as yet unreleased "In a Silent Way" box set. He voices similar objections to the "Bitches Brew" box, saying Miles would never have approved of the remixing or mastering, and calls the material "crap".

As far as vinyl goes, I'd usually rather do a little searching for a good condition original, which as many people pointed out almost always sound better than reissues, even so called "audiophile" versions.

Posted on: 13 September 2001 by SaturnSF

When I said Teo Macero called the box set material crap, I meant the bonus tracks, not the original songs, which of course were brilliant. Crap or not, I'm probably buying the "Silent Way" box anyway, since it's one of my favorites.

Posted on: 13 September 2001 by John

Well my Mosaic box sets arrived. They are amazing but to my surprise not in a Hi Fi sense. Many of the recordings make more sense. I can hear the progression and expression of notes much better. Very important for Coltrane's playing. The interaction between instruments is much more certain and there is greater weight to the instruments. The tinker piano sound of Bill Evan's piano has been transformed with the weight. I haven't listened to them all yet but my favourite so far is ESP.

Highly recommend.

John

Posted on: 14 September 2001 by SaturnSF

All the albums the Miles Davis Quinted recorded are very, very great. "ESP" yes, but how about "Nefertiti"? My favorite is probably "Filles de Kilamanjaro", but they're all brilliant.

Posted on: 20 September 2001 by Jens

Hi John,

I saw Prestige Cookin, Relaxin, Workin and Steamin LPs at Dada records last time I was there. They get most of their stuff from Fantasy, so I would be surprised if you couldn't get it from them. Alternatively you could contact Dada records I suppose. (I listed their details in an earlier thread).

Cheers, Jens