J.A.W.

Got an e-mail from Mosaic yesterday that the first run of their JATP set has sold out. They ordered a second run and expect new stock in 2-3 weeks, and have extended the date for the pre-order sale. Mailing Mosaic through their website isn't the best way in my experience. I always contact Scott directly: scott@mosaicrecords.com

Had to sell my LPs back in 1995 and never looked back, and reading about all the problems with very expensive LP reissues over the last few years I'm glad I didn't.

I had this set but sold it a long time ago because at the time I thought it was a mixed bag - some great and some not so great pianists, or pianists who were past their prime. As I said that was a long time ago (I think it was not long after it came out) and I'm not sure I made the right decision back then. I've been searching for audio samples of the music to see/hear if my feelings were right or not, but I couldn't find any. Any suggestions?

Just noticed that I'm a newbie now, despite having been a member since it started... Good to feel young again...

I ordered the B&W set directly from Mosaic and it turned out to be far more expensive with shipping, VAT and all that than when I had ordered it from Jazz Messengers. I also calculated what direct import of the Hubbard set would cost compared to Jazz Messengers' price, and that also turned out to be much more expensive.

I'll be ordering Mosaics from JazzMessengers again from now on. I was tempted by the pre-order price Mosaic was offering, that's why I ordered the B&W set directly from them, but seeing that JM's price was roughly the same pre-VAT I wish I had ordered it from them and saved me the hassle - and extra cost. Oh well.

Mine has just arrived, 5 days after I paid VAT. In my experience it usually takes that long for Dutch Post to receive the item from Customs after VAT and the handling fee have been paid.

That's exactly the amount (21% VAT + 4 euros handling fee) I paid on Monday. Dutch Post told me on Monday it would be delivered the next morning: nothing; the next few days the same thing happened. This morning they notified me the set would be delivered tomorrow morning. I'll believe it when I see it...

Mosaic outsourced their shipping a few years ago. For European orders they use Asendia, a joint venture launched by French La Poste and Swiss Post, and they (Asendia) cooperate with USPS. European orders are sent in bulk from the US to a central point overseas, from where each order is forwarded to its ultimate destination. To be honest I'm not too impressed with the service Asendia provides, it took a long time for my order to even leave the "processing" stage. Dutch Post informed me that they plan to deliver the set Thursday morning, after some delay. Finally...

I also have all the material, but I'll still be buying the set, if only for the upgraded sound - as was the case with the two previous BN Mosaics, the 1960s Mobley and the Henderson; the sound on those two is much better than I've ever heard on earlier releases of the same material,

Did you mail Scott directly at scott@mosaicrecords.com ? In my experience he usually replies within a day.

Scott Wenzel told me a Freddie Hubbard Mosaic is in the works. No release date yet. It'll be 7 CDs with these Blue Note and impulse! albums: Open Sesame - Blue Note Goin’ Up - Blue Note Hub Cap - Blue Note Ready For Freddie - Blue Note The Artistry Of Freddie Hubbard - impulse! Hub-Tones - Blue Note Here To Stay - Blue Note The Body And The Soul - impulse! Breaking Point - Blue Note Blue Spirits - Blue Note

I wonder what JazzMessengers' price will be. I usually order my Mosaics from them, but not this time, I thought a direct order from Mosaic might be a bit cheaper (even with the Customs charges) and faster; unfortunately, my order is still "processing"...

No notice here yet, and it'll take the set a bit longer to get here, crossing the pond

Scott Wenzel just told me the Black & White set is shipping out next week. He expects the OOS Tristano set not to be available again until August/September.