Mapleshade...where's the love?

 Mods deleted my first response,not sure why,but lets try again in a kinder gentler way:  Because the music ( artists ) arent very good, no matter how well they are recorded.

Never heard of them until this post lol, maybe they have an advertising issue. 

I think perhaps because they're more well known for their exemplary audio racks and stands than for their label.

While it is true their artist they record are of a less known or unknown variety it does not detract from the fact their recordings are of top notch SQ and that begs for the answer of why and why can't others/labels follow this level of quality. If you haven't heard anything from this label just pick up their sampler CD and enjoy what it brings to the table. Just sayin.

Pierre and his partner in crime (can't recall his name now) have done a great job in documenting what might well be the last gasp of a lot of the also aging artists they've recorded over the last few decades from their Baltimore area location, particularly with jazz and blues. 

But they're both getting on in years now themselves and haven't been all that active toward adding new releases in the last couple years or so and it looks like no one is waiting in the wings to take over that role.

Some of their releases are very enjoyable, all are well recorded, but not that many are among my favorite acts.

Ron Bowman? David Bowman? 👩‍🚀

I have 6 of them. Datavic, Afterglow, Songs of Love and Death and Single Petal of a Rose are all  VG

"Some of their releases are very enjoyable, all are well recorded, but not that many are among my favorite acts."

Agreed. I have listened to much of their catalog; and the quality of the recordings eclipse the quality of the performances - although some (perhaps Arc Choir, Sunny) are better than others, If I remember correctly, they accept returns of CDs if you do not like the recording.

Plenty of love here!

I have and enjoy many of their recordings as well as many of their other products. Some of the very best recordings I have heard, proving that CD's can sound truly great! I do wish they would get some more talent though.

I bought a handful of the Mapleshade CDs and not single one is worth listening to. There are a great many amazing CDs available (out there) which absolutely puts Mapleshade to shame. I have used several of there products such as brass spikes, heavy hats, platforms, etc. with some success, but the claim of being better than the best reviewed products is just plain silly.

While I will agree that their artists are not very well known, I don’t think that some of their music..or their musicianship is not enjoyable. Then we add the extremely impressive SQ...and I still think they are a winner. 

David Murray. John Hicks. Clifford Jordan. Hamiet Bluiett. Ran Blake. Norris Turney.  There is some great stuff in their catalog. 

I liked their Clifford Brown cds.

Although most of their artists aren’t well known,
I think most are certainly worth listening to.
ARC Choir and Kendra Shank for example.
And they are the best recordings I have ever heard.
Very natural and analog sounding.
Actually better than any Hi Rez recording I’ve
heard. And they are very reasonably priced.

@brauser , I am all ears to the labels that put the Mapleshade SQ to shame, please share those with us.

I like many of the Mapleshade recordings and yes Kendra Shank and other MS offerings are great music! 

Thanks for reminding me to pull out my Shirley Horn lp.

Here’s one thing going for Mapleshade...you don’t have to wait for months (years?) for their soon to be released titles. What’s with TBA...BS???
LOL.