Blue Note 45rpm reissue

Thanks Davt! I signed up while the wife wasn't looking. No biggy, she'll be happy I'm not spending mega-bucks on equipment this time. :-)

The mono vs. stereo "issue" is addressed on the website. It doesn't matter much to me but may provide an excuse for acquiring a good mono cart and mounting it on my second arm.

I think for folks like me who aren't well versed in jazz this is an excellent way to go.

Are most of these mono? Is there a "best way" to order the lot of them?

Thanks Rushton,

I had read that but didn't really know what the mono distribution was within the series.

Just got notification that my first two copies have been shipped. Can't wait to track the quality of these given that RTI is pressing them, or so I understand. Hopefully, the guys at Music Matters have a good process in place that may stand as a model for others wishing to do reissues.

I received my first two copies of this series yesterday. They are actually the second two in the series. Guess I'll have to specifically order the first two. I have done a visual inspection of both but only had time to listen to Lou Donaldson. Both sets of LPs are flat. No warps of any kind. The Kenny Drew set did have a seam that didn't take the glue. I chose to re-glue it myself. Otherwise, I can find no physical issues with either set. The LD+3 LPs are very quiet. No issues at all. I'm pleased with them.

I have to say in all fairness that I have found a couple of minor issues with my copy of Kenny Drew's Undercurrent. The 1st LP does have a slight dish warp and some distortion in the lead out groove, just a second or two after the music ends. Neither is enough of an issue to me to warrant a return. But I realize some folks might be more demanding so that's why I am posting it here.

At the same time, I think Undercurrent is the best I've heard so far as music content goes. Really a fun listen!

I just received my copies of December's releases so there is more for me to savor this weekend.

I disagree with you a bit, Jloveys. Yes, you have expressed your opinion. But you have also attempted to disparage this series and the folks who put it together. You come off as having an agenda. Perhaps that is not your intent, but that's what it comes across as.

Also, I think you chose the the worst of the lot to comment about soundstage. I agree the the Parlance LP is somewhat disintegrated. The Kenny Drew Lp is much, much better in this regard.

Jloveys, let me be clear. The third paragraph of your second post was not really necessary and sounded, to me, quite rant-ish. I hope these guys do make some money so maybe they and others will not be dissuaded from offering other series in the future. After all, even Van Gelder was hoping to make some money off of folks buying his recordings. Sorry if I mis-interpreted your meaning.

I do appreciate your comments on the comparisons to the originals. This series may not be true to the original releases. But if we can believe what Harley says, they may be more truer to the masters. I haven't checked out the dates but it may be possible to track the learning process that Rudy went through to get the end result he was looking for. Anyway, I think the music is very enjoyable. For someone such as myself who does not consider jazz their first choice but still wants to own the recordings, I still think this is a good, hassle free way to own some classic music.

Myself, I have been burned by many jazz reissues. Many are loaded with pressing flaws. I haven't tried the BN reissues you mention but I admit to being shell shocked at the prospect.

RE: warps. See my post from 3/8/08. Nothing I'm concerned with.

The stereo/mono issue was discussed early on in this thread. Most of the masters of these were recorded in stereo and then folded down to mono. So that is the way AP decided to re-issue this series. If the master happens to be in mono, then the re-issue will be mono. In effect, these are re-issues of the master recordings. Not necessarily re-issues of the original issues.