Blue Note SACDs courtesy Acoustic Sounds

[Gremal]

The most rewarding digital audio format and most rewarding record label are intersecting for me with new SACD releases of several classic Blue Note jazz titles. These follow behind the rollout of the 45 rpm vinyl being released by Analogue Productions (Acoustic Sounds) and remastered by the immensely gifted engineers Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering, Camarillo, CA.

So far I've heard the new John Coltrane--Blue Train and Jackie McLean--Capuchin Swing and am currently in the middle of one of Art Blakey's drum solos on Leeway. My next purchase will either be Kenny Dorham--Whistle Stop or Dexter Gordon--Dexter Calling.

These SACDs are the real deal. They're all two channel, as originally mastered by Rudy van Gelder. I've been listening to this music a long time but never heard it come alive like these SACDs. The instruments pack lots of resonance and detail. It's a wonderful experience. Unfortunately for my credit card I'll have to buy many more of these. But it could be worse (if I started collecting the 45 vinyl or first pressing NY label versions).

[btf1980]

Yeah, they are great. I have all 5 that have been released so far. Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers will be released on the 21st, as well as Art Taylor - A.T.'s Delight and Fred Jackson - Hootin' 'N Tootin'.

I didn't even know the company I work for (J&R) would be carrying them because I purchased mine from Acoustic Sounds.

$25.99 per disc is the best price I've seen from any vendor.

http://www.jr.com/releasetype/new-re...by-BestSell-1/

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by Gremal

But it could be worse (if I started collecting the 45 vinyl or first pressing NY label versions).

Speaking of that, I really don't care for the pricing for the 45s at all. $50 per album? Are they mad? I understand that it is quality, but that is just insane. At MSRP, 10 titles will cost you $500. And they wonder why the music industry is struggling. I'm a diehard jazz fan, and I cannot justify it. Imagine the casuals.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by btf1980

$25.99 per disc is the best price I've seen from any vendor.

I found Leeway on Amazon for under $17 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-way-Lee-Mo...9896430&sr=1-1

[kingofgrills]

I'm really glad to hear these are making it to market. Last I saw these were listed as pre-order, and the sites I saw didn't have release dates listed. I was afraid they were being cancelled, because a lot of SACD titles have suddenly started showing up as discontinued.

Many of my all-time favorite Blue Note recordings are being included, so I'm very happy about that. Having Rudy Van Gelder at the helm for the remastering is absolutely perfect since he originally recorded most of them.

[Gremal]

Yes, it's very exciting. BN did a batch of SACDs a few years ago, but only one (Blue Train) was a classic title and it sounds nowhere near as open and detailed as the new version.

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Having Rudy Van Gelder at the helm for the remastering is absolutely perfect since he originally recorded most of them.

Actually, Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman did the remastering for the new vinyl and SACDs. Those two along with Bob Ludwig are much better remaster engineers than RVG, although he did do the Love Supreme SACD.

[kingofgrills]

Really? I thought Rudy's remastered series of Redbook CDs was exceptional. Regardless, I'm glad to hear the new issues have turned out well so far.

BTW MusicDirect has the new release of Blue Train for $19.99 .

[Gremal]

I agree the RVG series of CDs was a significant step up from the earlier versions. But his remasters aren't as good as Steve Hoffman's and a few others who are in the audiophile circle.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by btf1980

Speaking of that, I really don't care for the pricing for the 45s at all. $50 per album? Are they mad? I understand that it is quality, but that is just insane. At MSRP, 10 titles will cost you $500. And they wonder why the music industry is struggling. I'm a diehard jazz fan, and I cannot justify it. Imagine the casuals.

Give at least one a try--they're fantastic. I have A Charlie Brown Christmas and Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheous by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. Great quality music and pressings!

My next order will see the ultimate in audiophile porn: the 4 single sided 45 RPM records version of Lt. Kije.

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

BTW MusicDirect has the new release of Blue Train for $19.99 .

No, that is the older blue note label SACD from a few years back.

The newer one is listed at $29.99, under the Analog Productions label. Not the same master. This one like previously stated was mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/82626

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by richteer

Give at least one a try--they're fantastic. I have A Charlie Brown Christmas and Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheous by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. Great quality music and pressings!

My next order will see the ultimate in audiophile porn: the 4 single sided 45 RPM records version of Lt. Kije.

Thankfully, I live vicariously through friends with much deeper wallets than I have, so I'll listen to their lps.

I'm fine with the SACD versions, they are great and are 40% cheaper by MSRP, street price even lower.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by richteer

Give at least one a try--they're fantastic. I have A Charlie Brown Christmas and Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheous by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. Great quality music and pressings!

My next order will see the ultimate in audiophile porn: the 4 single sided 45 RPM records version of Lt. Kije.

Hi Rich,

There have been a few single-sided recordings that have been made, but I've always wondered as to their benefit and I can't really think why someone would even think about doing this. The only benefit I could see would be the elimination of potential damage to the grooves on the bottom side and perhaps a deeper groove cut (pardon the terminology). I also know that there has been a single-sided recording on a disc measuring close to 1" in thickness, but all of this leaves me confused as to its purpose. Perhaps in the case of the 1" disc it assumed that mass would be a deterrent for introducing resonance and the like, but I'm not sure.

What's your take on this?

John

[richteer]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Rich,

There have been a few single-sided recordings that have been made, but I've always wondered as to their benefit and I can't really think why someone would even think about doing this. The only benefit I could see would be the elimination of potential damage to the grooves on the bottom side and perhaps a deeper groove cut (pardon the terminology). I also know that there has been a single-sided recording on a disc measuring close to 1" in thickness, but all of this leaves me confused as to its purpose. Perhaps in the case of the 1" disc it assumed that mass would be a deterrent for introducing resonance and the like, but I'm not sure.

What's your take on this?

John

Hi John,

My understanding is that by having a flat underside, the single-sided discs ensure the best possible interface between the record and the platter. The deeper cutting (for more dynamic range) also sounds very plausible. It'd be very intersting comparing a two-sided 45 RPM disc to a single-sided 45 RPM disc, assuming both were cut on the same lathe from the same master.

Acoustic Sounds sell a couple of records that are cut at 45 RPM on one side and 33 RPM on the other, with the same material on both sides. The difference is pretty amazing! The example of this I have is Dusty Springfield's The Look of Love from the original Casino Royale movie. I'm thinking of adding the 45/33 RPM Send in the Clowns to my next order.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by btf1980

No, that is the older blue note label SACD from a few years back.

The newer one is listed at $29.99, under the Analog Productions label. Not the same master. This one like previously stated was mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray.

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/82626

Yep, you're right. My bad. I went back and noticed that it was the older copy after I posted that note.

[Gremal]

I just received Kenny Dorham--Whistle Stop last night, but haven't had a chance to listen to it. Also received the limited edition SACD version of Marvin Gaye--What's Going On released late last year, but that has nothing to do with Blue Note.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Gremal

I just received Kenny Dorham--Whistle Stop last night, but haven't had a chance to listen to it. Also received the limited edition SACD version of Marvin Gaye--What's Going On released late last year, but that has nothing to do with Blue Note.

Although "Tapestry" by Carole King was a great album, I can't beleive that Marvin lost out to it with "What's Going On" for Album of The Year honours at the Grammy Awards back then.

John

[mattconroy]

I have the 45rpm LPs and they are uniformly fantastic. I cannot recommend these highly enough. Whisper quiet vinyl with quality remastering and packaging.

[Gremal]

You have ALL of them?

That must have set you back a few grand.

[mattconroy]

Originally Posted by Gremal

You have ALL of them?

That must have set you back a few grand.

I have all of the ones they've issued so far. In fact the three latest should be arriving today or tomorrow.

[Gremal]

Last night I returned from a day trip to find a little package with several of these SACDs I'd just ordered.
Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk
John Patton - Along Came John
Ike Quebec - Soul Samba
Three Sounds - Bottoms Up
Horace Silver - Tokyo Blues

and one other, not a Blue Note, but Nat King Cole - The Very Thought of You

I also recently got Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage and some of the Impulse titles that were similarly remastered. Great sounds and fantastic performances. I'm looking forward to hearing more from the series.