Hi, most of the recordings offered by Mapleshade are quite good, but there are some to avoid. They do have a policy of if you are not satisfied with a disc, you can return it for a full refund. I don't think I would invest in the whole collection, since the quality of music and recording varies greatly. I think I would try a few at a time, they give a discount for four or more discs at a time (at least I think that's what it is). Some are very enjoyable, some not so much. Like I say, try a few first. |
There are a couple that I like.
Electric Blues Doctor Live
ARC Choir
Sunny Sumter with the Larry Willis Quarter
Also, there are some samplers.
I agree with Islandmandan. The quality of the music and performances vary widely. |
Clifford Jordan, Live at ethels is a amazing recording live, and killer jazz...
I'm a vinyl guy, this cd I love! |
Jfrech is right - Live at Ethels is really good, and is especially good for comparing different gear in your system.
Also agreed about how some are not so good. Mostly, they are very good though.
I've been wanting to get the ARC Chior but with along with three others to take advantage of the discount. I'll check out the ones you mention Gsm18439 - thanks.
The sampler is a good place to start. |
How about a basic description of your CD library?
Why I ask is... if only a handful of them sound good, then there would seem to be a serious problem with your current playback system.
I have over 1500 CD's that sound fine on my setup and probably 3000 LP's that I can say the same for.
I culled/sold/donated thousands of LP's & CD's over the past 5 years, but this was based upon the music itself and not how the albums sounded Hifi wise.
Yes, some recordings are crappy in general, but if the music is good it will persevere regardless.
I find your posting to be quite odd, as I understand it. |
no offence, but 'a handful of cds worth listening to, out of a collection', is not a good sign....you should be enjoying artists you love, and not be worried about what your system sounds like. otherwise, there's literally a world of great stuff out there you'll be missing. |
Cats Are Stealing My Shit is fun.
Kendra Shank Afterglow and Datevik (her acapella at the end is haunting) are excellent |
"...I've finally reached a point with system where I'm ready to start listening to music..."?? What does that mean??
If you are looking for good sounding jazz recordings, there are 100s of remastered CDs from Blue Note, Impulse, Columbia, Verve, Prestige, Riverside, ECM, and other labels that are easily available. JVC XRCDs are also a good bet (but I think most of them are out of print). You can go to your local record store (if you still have one in your area), or check Amazon and look for "used". You can even find new CDs under the "used" section, many of them well under $10.00. |
I don't get the Mapleshade attraction. Good recordings of artists that no one has ever heard of. Is that what this hobby is about? I thought it was about the music. Silly me! |
I disagree with the notion that Mapleshade is a purveyor of unknowns. There are some indisputably stellar artists on Mapleshade. For instance, Hamiett Bluiett may be the finest baritone saxophonist to ever play the instrument. Even if you dispute that, you cannot dispute his pivotal role in the World Saxophone Quartet, which was one of the most popular Jazz outfits for decades. Far from an unknown, and well represented in the Mapleshade catalog. David Murray, Patato Valdez, Larry Willis, etc. are phenomenal, world class, internationally known artists that are also on Mapleshade recordings.
Its a source of continuous amazement to me how frequently I read indictments of adventurous labels like Mapleshade. Its true that not all of their recordings are outstanding. However, they have put together a catalog of some of the most diverse musical offerings of any that I am aware of. They even have a return policy that essentially lets you try before you buy. How great is that?! It seems to me that anyone even the least bit curious about music has much to explore here. |
I would clarify my original post by saying that only one of their recordings I own (of eight or twelve or so) gets on my nerves. And it's only because Larry Willis' piano seems to vibrate the snare drum which gets caught up in the recording...or at least is sounds like something along those lines. It personally bugs me, but might make it more realistic for others. On the other hand, that is probably as real a recording as it gets. It's just not my cup of tea.
And FWIW - if you like Mapleshade's stuff, it is likely because of the music since many of the artists are hardly known. In saying that, I'd travel to hear them now that I own their recordings. All the other recordings of theirs that I own I really like.
Mapleshade is yet another stellar label like JVC'c XRCD and many others including labels that make SACDs and DVD-As that I own. I don't think anyone is implying a "one-label" scenario.
I am with Siliab - the tone of some posts above leaves a lot to be desired IMO
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I am always impressed by some of the criticisms on this site. For the cost of a returnable and well-recorded CD, you can have a taste of a non-main stream artist. It is a bargain, in my opinion. And one of the pleasures of this hobby. The main downside is that the discography of many of the Mapleshade artists is limited to one or two CDs. Mapleshade records some very interesting and unusual music. |
