jonathanhorwich

Gee, I didn't know about the Leon Thomas Album. I just ordered it to hear it. And if Horace T. has a 1000 person fan base, I'll faint, happily. Selling these reissues up above 1000 is not easy but I'll persist and I'm sure one way or another I'll get these babies out. Fischer was and is rough as the music is just not "hip" or known to many people. It has no cache at all. Too bad as the writing and arranging is on another planet. But just not the right planet for many people. Anyway hopefully Horace T. will have a bigger audience.

Thanks. I have the rights to "The Giant Is Awakened" as well as the two Carter Bradford discs from FD. Just a matter of time in putting them out. Not sure how Tapscott's work would do financially but will probably put it out later as I move forward glacially. So I have enough material with the Joe Daley stuff to keep me going for the next two years. As I get funds I"ll put the stuff out so it is at least available to those who care, which was the original idea in putting out Dixon's Intents and Purposes and Hemphill's Dogon A.D.

Thanks for asking. Here is the latest. I have two projects going slowly forward (slowly as funds are tight). Jeremy Steig Flute Fever is with Sony for approval to add one tune's "outtake" as in my opinion it is the best performance of the session. And the tune, Lover Man, is now the full version which was edited on the vinyl. It is brilliant in full version. The producer George Avakian said at the end of the take over the loudspeaker, "Gentlemen, I'm sorry but that is a masterpiece." And indeed it is. The short version on the vinyl is not. Sony called today to say AR was listening to these changes. Once Sony is okay with them I'll move slowly forward as I get funds. But it has to come out in early 2013 as that is the 50th anniversary of the session and we want to wait until then to publish it. Meanwhile John Carter and Bobby Bradford, Flight for Four, is also moving forward and is now mixed and mastered as to sound. My opinion is the sound is stunning as compared with the vinyl, and I usually prefer vinyl. Next will be cover art work. I am not sure how fast or soon this will come out but I hope by the end of the year. With those two out for all of 2013, well that should do it for that year unless more funds come rolling in and then I'll either do Joe Daley or I'll do the next Carter Bradford on Flying Dutchman. I've slowed to a crawl due to funds. I hope to generate enough on my separate funding sources to move things up in speed. I may just settle for two reissues for another year. But I'm thrilled with Steig and the Carter Bradford. Both are favorites of mine. Not to offend those who don't like self serving hype, but I think the Steig is the best straight ahead flute playing I have heard (not to mention brilliant piano work by Zeilin) and I think Flight for Four is the near height of Carter Bradford's Avant Bop. But that is purely my opinion and that only.

This is a great suggestion. However, I cannot find a copy to listen to so if anyone can make me a copy of the Hamiet Bluiett, do email me at jonathanhorwich@me.com I'd love to give this a listen.

Chuck, Thanks. Carter Bradford would be nice on one CD but my style is to create one CD to match each vinyl release so I tend to do one CD one release one artist performance. On Joe Daley no more progress. I'll probably do three CDs as there is enough material and put it all in a simple box or not and just sell the three CDS separately. Not sure but think the box idea will be better. Keep em all together. I have all the transfers done for my next many releases good for 1.5 years so now it is just a matter of gathering the finances to get them out. I don't need to travel anywhere anymore. Have them all in house now. And I did reprint Hemphill one last time so it will be available for at least a while so people can get it as many didn't get it when it sold out. I appreciate your suggestions and interest.

Thanks for asking. Fine, but I will probably put out Flute Fever in 2013 on its 50th anniversary. So next should be Carter Bradford Self Determination Music. I made the transfers from analog to digital of the Flying Dutchman material of the two Carter Bradford vinyl performances and the Horace Tapscott The Giant Is Awakened.

Romualdo, thank you for bringing my attention to this missing edit in Fischer's Extension. I am looking into this and going to check it with Brent Fischer, Clare's son. But what rarely happens, but happened here, is someone made an edit in the two track master just before going to vinyl and hence there is something on the vinyl that is not on the three track masters. This appears to be the case here. What I put out is an exact duplicate of the three track masters as recorded in the session or as edited. But apparently there was an edit afterwards. I'll check this further and see what I find. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I answered the query the other day on the latest but somehow I don't see my answer here. Next on the line up is Jeremy Steig Flute Fever. I just transferred it at Sony in NYC and it sounds wonderful. And the songs won't be heavily edited as had to be done for the vinyl. Sound is far far better than the vinyl. Somehow in going from three track masters to two track to vinyl they lost a lot of the excitement and warmth. Anyway, that is next. I am also currently reprinting Dogon A.D. which sold out and I've had too much request for it. So reprinting that. Next will be the Flying Dutchman material -- Carter Bradford and Giant Awakens.

Bogdan, so glad you like Extension. If you email me separately at my email address we could discuss it off blog. jonathanhorwich@me.com

If anyone would like to contact me my email is jonathanhorwich@me.com Thanks.

Romualdo, nope not second thoughts really on reissuing Tapscott. I had thought maybe because it was kind of issued on the CD, West Coast Hot I might not. But it needs a full packaging and proper sound (on West Coast Hot it sounds like a giant AM radio) so I will put it out. Too important and who else would put it out at this point. So i will at least put out the Carter Bradford work and Tapscott. I'd like to hear if there is anything else killer on Flying Dutchman. Someone mentioned Oliver Nelson earlier. Don't know that work.

Jetman, thanks. Yep, it is available in an import. Sometimes I ignore the fact that performances are out on CD in a foreign country but this is available here at Amazon, and it is not in the same class as the other performances which we are discussing and which will come out first anyway. So I'm decided not to issue at least for a long time, just from this immediate feedback which I very much appreciate. On another matter I am entertaining the idea of issuing Dogon A.D. on vinyl and even reel to reel tape for those people who have them--about 100 people if I'm lucky. And I may follow some of these other releases with vinyl and tape. But always after the CD is issued. My whole thing is trying to find performances that aren't out on CD and make them easily available. So CD is my first choice to issue, although my first choice sound wise is reel to reel, then vinyl and then digital. And yes, Jetman, there have been some Japanese packaging that is gorgeous. And that is why I get the covers done in Tokyo. My packaging is not original, except maybe the consistent use of the double spread for one CD.

Thanks for kind words Funkateer and Master of the Groove. I do appreciate it. I'd hate to put something out too many people think is just okay. I think I put things a bit off topic and maybe even off the rails by defending my Fischer release. The reason I entered the forum here is to get ideas from knowledgable people such as read this blog so I can reissue jazz of the highest quality. So going on about how I feel about a release I already put out on my own without the community input has nothing to do with this blog and I apologize to all of you for throwing things a bit off track. Whether one likes the Fischer or not is not actually the point of this thread. (I really care what you guys think of my releases but once out, well what is done is done, and I should not be defending or "promoting" them on this blog.) The point is what can I issue in the future that is of the highest quality. And I know there are many performances I have not heard and which many of you have turned me onto. So with that said from now on I'll keep my contributions on point. I'm about to put out Jeremy Steig, Flute Fever next. So that is set in stone. And after that will be Carter Bradford FD and the Giant Awakens probably and Joe Daley. I believe most agree with the worth of those performances. But I'm going to NYC in a month to do the Steig transfers and it hit me that Rod Levitt's RCA recording, Insight could be transferred at the same time. Hence, back on track, I would appreciate input from all of you that have heard it if you think it is in the category we are all discussing for reissue. It is surely a very fine album. Really fine. But I'm not sure if it is quite there or not. Darn close. Really nicely done. So fire away.

Stefan, thanks for your superb description and being so honest. I'm going to listen to Dick Grove again for sure and objectively. Thanks again for taking the time to listen and report what you heard. It is really appreciated.

I just did a huge post for all of you but of course lost it all never to be found again. I'm terrible with the blog for which I apologize. I'll try and summarize. I've lost my flow and rhythm but here goes. Stefan, I'm listening to Little Bird Suite. it makes an excellent contrast to the Fischer. Listen to track one of Little Bird and you'll see the voicing are not that original. They are good. But not brilliant. Listen to side II track one, Little Bird. The voicings are actually hackneyed. And track II side one, Bird of Paradise is very similar to Sketches of Spain. So are the voicings on Side II Track II Canto de Oriole. Very much like Evans. Whereas listen to the flute voicings of Fischer and compare with Dick Grove's work on Bird of Paradise. They aren't in the same league. I wish they were. Do you know how badly I'd love to release Little Bird Suite? It would be perfect because it gives me another reissue and I have a great line into EMI. But it is not a great album. It is very good. But too many cliches. I listened to it the first time and thought it was great. But the more I listen the more I hear from other composers and some of it like on Little Bird is downright cliched. Same with Track III of Side two, Doodad. Not original voicing and harmonizing at all. But a very good album and nice playing. Then I listen to Fischer and it is from another world, Clare's. So I do understand you liking the Little Bird Suite and that is an aesthetic reaction and choice. But objectively, they aren't in the same league. And again, I wish they were for my reissue program. Anyway, Stefan see how the Fischer grows or doesn't grow on you. But if you objectively listen to the Fischer than go to track one Side II of Grove's album, I think you'll see what I mean objectively (not aesthetically). Hope this helps a bit.

Stefan, Thanks buddy. I know it is not everyone's cup of tea. I was ready for that. Two critics have told me it was a work of genius and another thought it was only good. Do me a favor. Listen to track two and three and really focus in on them. Track two, Quiet Dawn, to me is a blow away. Brilliant arrangement. See what you think after several listens to that track and then let me know if it grew on you or not. I grew on me years ago and each time I listen I like it more. But that's me. But do let me know. Thanks.

Sony did own the rights to the Flying Ductchman catalog but it went then to the daughters of Bob Thiele who finally sold it to Ace Records UK or who at least have the leasing rights to the catalog. My contact works for them and has given me the go ahead on reissuing those three titles as they have no plans themselves to do so. they are apparently reissuing other titles but not the Carter Brafford or the Tapscot.

Dear All, Thanks so much for all your comments. Well I will be putting out all three Flying Dutchman issues. So all will come out. Nice write up ep1str0phy. Very fine. I would not pair the two Carter Bradfords. I might issue both at the same time, but they would each be separate in their own packaging. So all three in their own packaging. On the Amazon UK price of the Fischer I have no idea what that rise was about. Strange. And for those of you who are not familiar with the Fischer work, it is not avant in any sense. It is very down the middle but brilliantly so. It is large ensemble arrangement at its finest bar nobody. For those not used to this genre, listen to it many many times and you'll soon hear how original the writing and arranging is as compared with your normal big band. There is very little solo work and even that is subjugated to the greater palette of the band. Hope you guys love it as I do. For some it will not be instant love. And for some it may never be. But for me it is desert island.

Hey all, thanks to all of you who recommended I hear Gene Shaw's Carnival Sketches. Very fine LP which I had never heard. Love it. And yes this must be his best work as it is awfully good. I guess next will be Steig. And good news. Looks like I have the rights to Carter Bradford Flying Dutchman and, if I wish, Tapscott, The Giant Is Awakened. So that is very very good news. The Flying Dutchman catalog was finally sold and I got first rights to those performances. Those I'll do soon, because I need some big smackers to do Joe Daley correctly. I'll probably just run 1000 Joe Daley's and it will be a gorgeous box set and a one time take it or leave it affair. Anyway, we're making progress here. And for those who have not heard Steig's Flute Fever, you'll be wowed.

Love to hear the Waldron Lacy work. I'll see if I can find that baby. That sounds like a prime candidate. Anybody every heard Lacy playing straight as an arrow on Gil Evans plus 10? Very nice stuff indeed.

Chuck, Yes, Steig Flute Fever is superb. A good two steps up from the work with Bill Evans. Something happened on it and Steig played brilliantly and Denny's piano work is the best I have heard by him. Perfect structured solos and comping. A rare gem. I consider it spectacular. Well listen to it against the Evans record with Steig and one can see Flute Fever was a one time thing as happens in jazz. Everything clicked. Whether it will sell or not I don't' know. But I am putting it out next. Listening right now to Gene Shaw Debut in Blue. Very very nice. I'll have to see but don't think it is reissue material except maybe in the future if I start reissuing on the basis of very nice performances that are hard to get. Don't worry dougcrates, Carnival Sketches is coming to me soon to hear. I got your message loud and clear and will keep listening to both Debut in Blues and Carnival Sketches. Thanks for the redirection. By the way all, since this post by me is basically a stew of ideas, Clare Fischer is coming out soon, 17 April. I may have mentioned it but Bob Belden wrote me recently in regards to it and said the performance is that of a genius. (Hope I'm not repeating myself.) Thanks guys.

Thank you all. I bought Gene Shaw's Breatkthrough and listened to it today. It is a very good performance. However, it is not stellar, as several of you noted already. The trumpet playing is really fine. But the rest of the playing isn't stellar enough to reissue it. For instance, the piano player, James Taylor is quite good, but his comping is not. Very pedestrian at best. So the whole of the performance suffers (if you want to hear the bible of comping listen to Miles Davis 1994 live concert My Funny Valentine and Four and More). As an example, I am putting out Jeremy Steig next because it is the best straight ahead jazz flute work I have heard AND Denny Zeitlin on piano is just superb. Incredibly structured solo and comping. Just killer. that makes the performance stellar for me. Without Zeitlin playing like that, I would not have put it out. Anyway, I have Debut in Blues coming on vinyl and I'll check that out.

Dougcreates, are those personal favorite stellar performances? Just checking as was unable to tell from your post. Thanks.

Well Dave Fish I'm glad you brought this up. That is a real possibility. Finding the tapes will not be easy as that was John's label. But this brings up the wider question of what to do after Joe Daley. We need the releases to be stellar. Not good. Not very good. But stellar. So let's have some discussion again on this as we all did earlier but it has to be limited to stellar by any standard. Fischer, Steig and Daley are. Daley at least by the bass playing which is stellar. The rest is very good. So, let's discuss anything which has not been reissued on CD or at least is well out of print on CD and is stellar. We have the Marsh stuff we discussed and that is stellar by any stretch. But what else? Not easy I know. Thanks in advance.

Guys, thanks again for your kind words which I find so encouraging. My vision is to just put out such good performances, whether an actual classic or not, that the public can buy the release without knowing anything about it. Taste of course enters into it. Those who love Bill Dixon's arrangements on Intents and Purposes may not like Clare Fischer's arrangements on Extension. Well, I do. Both are brilliant in their own different way. But mainly, I want the public who buys IPI reissues to know I won't put out anything less than a stellar performance which has been not easy to get otherwise. And more importantly, that they obtain something that they will cherish and be thankful they bought for many years in the future. That's why the reissues discussion on this forum is so important to me. We have to find future releases that are stellar. No compromise. If they aren't stellar we don't put them out. It can't be this is a very good performance. It has to be stellar. We'll all be going over this soon as I only have about 3-5 more releases I know fit this bill. I need to come up with more. I hope I have enough Carmell Jones to put something out. Carmell is one of my favorites of all time. First priority will be Marsh as he is a giant and hopefully, I can put together a nice release of his material from our Revelation files. Bob Belden just wrote me that Clare's Extension performance and his Thesaurus performance are the work of a genius. And they are. Bob really gets it. I sure hope others hear it. The Extension reissue comes out 17 April and has already been shipped to the distributor. So 17 April is very realistic. I really want to hear what you all think as to me this is large ensemble jazz at its best. Very little improvisation and what is there, is very much integrated into the ensemble. Jerry Coker does a perfect job of that. Okay that's the latest from Chicago's south side.