Blue Note Jazz Recordings

Ray, they have a pretty decent website. It would be nice if they would add the ability to search by record label, though. I sent them a suggestion for same during a particularly frustrating session where I was trying to queue all the Blue Note RVG releases that they have available. I had to track them all down one at a time by artist! But at least they only set me back $6 a piece... 8^)

I have recently bought Blue Train (Coltrane) and Somethin' Else (Adderley) on Classic Records DAD 24/96. Both are very good. They claim to be very close to analog tape and I wouldn't argue. These DVD's require the right hardware, but I am OK with a Pioneer DV-525 and Bel Canto Dac 1.1 setup. I will be buying more of these.

My other sources are CD using the mentioned playback gear and my trusty old Linn Sondek/Ittok/Denon DL-405.

A lot of these recordings have something going for them in that many of the ninyl editions have edits on them for longer songs, plus extra versions. Even the 20-bit copy of Mingus Ah Um I have is worth owning just for the 17(?) extra minutes.

I quickly started buying the Blue Note RVG's as soon as I saw them online. I do have a complaint with the RVG remasters. They are high resolution recordings, but from a sonic standpoint they are lean-sounding. There is no comparison between the JVC XRCD Jazz remasters(example: the Prestige label) and Rudy Van Gelder's. I have 10-15 of the Blue Note RVG remasters and they are must-have jazz classics from jazz greats. But, the XRCD jazz remasters have meat on their bones, with a palpable midrange, exceptional clarity, weighty presentation and strong muscular bass. (sonics with impact). No doubt, the XRCD jazz remasters take my cdp and system to another level of presentation. I keep an eye out for XRCD jazz releases now because they are absolutely superior remaster recordings. I no longer pull the trigger as quickly on the RVG's; but if you want to experience many of the jazz legends doing ground-breaking classics you have no choice but to purchase the RVG Blue Note remasters. I just wish JVC was doing Blue Note.

Thanks for the Borders lead.