ghost of miles Posted September 30, 2004 Report Posted September 30, 2004 I've been boning up for a radio interview w/a local Beatles expert & came across a reference to Apple's having MJQ on their late-60's roster as a "prestige" signing. Probably not news to many here, but news to me! Evidently they released two records on the label: and another one called SPACE. There's been so much negative writing about Apple, because of the botched finances, etc., but the label itself seems to have put out some pretty good material. Is there an online discography anywhere? Quote
RDK Posted September 30, 2004 Report Posted September 30, 2004 I heard these were once out on CD but I've never seen a copy. I'd like tp hear these! Quote
sidewinder Posted September 30, 2004 Report Posted September 30, 2004 I've got vinyls of both of these, UK originals with the SAPCOR numbers. Both are very nice - typical MJQ refined sessions of the period and absolutely no psychadelia/Beatles influence. 'Space' has a couple of tracks with dreamy, shimmering sounds which match the title well. I think both were out on CD some years ago. They come up on ebay on occasion - often (or at least they did) fetch big bucks. Quote
Hoyt Clagwell Posted September 30, 2004 Report Posted September 30, 2004 Under the Jasmine Tree (the LP pictured) is a very nice set of Lewis compositions, including a quartet version of Three Little Feelings, originally written for brass ensemble with Miles Davis as soloist. I have a US Lp of this. Unfortunately it's a late 60s- early 70s Capitol pressing which means it's more Crapple than Apple, too noisy for quiet music like the MJQ. Except for the Apple on the label, there's no Beatles connection whatsoever. Quote
JSngry Posted September 30, 2004 Report Posted September 30, 2004 UNDER THE JASMINE TREE is a "typical" MJQ album. SPACE is not. Quote
robviti Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 in case anyone's interested, copies of both of these cds are available from amazon marketplace sellers for as low as 13.74 and 17.25 respectively. here are the links: under the jasmin tree and space Quote
king ubu Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 I passed a cheap used copy of "Space" a month or two ago... didn't know it was rare or OOP. Didn't like it too much, though, so I don't really regret it. The cover and all is quite stylish, the sound seemed very fine. ubu Quote
Shrdlu Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 I love "Space". I had a review copy when it first came out. Recently, when I tried to get a CD, all I could find was a new LP release, so I got that. It still sounds great, and, there is no sign of any Beatle influence, other than the fact that it was their label. In the notes, it is said that Percy Heath has the best acoustic bass sound ever. I would not have written that, but can't really argue about it, either. He is wonderful. Quote
mikeweil Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 In the notes, it is said that Percy Heath has the best acoustic bass sound ever. I would not have written that, but can't really argue about it, either. He is wonderful. Sure he is! I find myself buying CDs just because I hope to hear him well recorded. Quote
JSngry Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 I love "Space"...there is no sign of any Beatle influence, other than the fact that it was their label. And maybe the little tape speed manipulation thing that opens the album. Quote
Shrdlu Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 Wasn't that the idea of either the producer or John Lewis, Jim? From the notes, it doesn't sound as if any of the Beatles were involved in the production of this session. But you may be right. The album says "Produced by John Lewis. Supervised by Peter Asher". It was recorded in London, England (of course), at Trident Studios. Asher says "... John Lewis was just brilliant in the studio. He had everything mapped out and knew precisely what he wanted to do. ... I tried to use the modern facilities we had at our disposal. I had a rock 'n' roll engineer (Trident's co-owner, Barry Sheffield) to make it sound different, a bit 'bigger' than the MJQ's other records. ..." Then, the notes mention "The opening track, Lewis's 'Visitor from Venus', begins with the shimmering tones of Milt Jackson's vibraharp. In a reflection of the times, the tape then speeds up, racing towards its correct tempo, ..." This is not conclusive, and is the only information in the notes that relates to the topic. Quote
JSngry Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 You got liner notes? COOL! I only have an old Apple LP "from the times". No liners, nothing. By "Beatles influence" though, I didn't mean hands on, just that "reflection of the times" that your liners refer too. A "general" influence. Quote
Shrdlu Posted October 1, 2004 Report Posted October 1, 2004 Mine is a recent (digitally mastered, why?) LP. The notes are new, by one Andy Davis, dated 1996. The sound is fine, and though I would like to A/B it with an analog LP, it is good. Actually, as it is mint, I transferred it to a CDr, so it is definitely digital now. Quote
marcoliv Posted October 4, 2004 Report Posted October 4, 2004 UNDER THE JASMINE TREE is a "typical" MJQ album. i agree. got it this weekend Marcus Quote
Bluerein Posted October 4, 2004 Report Posted October 4, 2004 I'm sure we've got those 2 CD's in the Jazz store I work for so if someone's interested I could buy them for you. Please be aware I'm located in the Netherlands so shipping to the US is a little higher than you might be expecting. Cheers, Reinier Quote
Shrdlu Posted October 7, 2004 Report Posted October 7, 2004 Here's an LP copy of "Space", sold by "eggbert". I bought an LP from him and it was mint, as a guide as to whether he is O.K. Space LP Once again, I am not related to Mr Eggbert in any way. (Actually, would it matter?) Quote
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