Daniel A

I agree with Kevin's assessment regarding sound quality and the sessions, though I didn't get the Almeida and Cannonball albums. I enjoyed Kevin's review of 'The Happy People' and I suspect I wouldn't have enjoyed the album itself. I also have no problem with Shank's flute playing. When it comes to the LT series, the titles I've got suffers from dull and unengaging sound quality. Like David, I find the Atlantic reissues to be miles better then the Collectables that were hit-and-miss, but sometimes embarrassingly bad. And I suppose I should remove "Toshiba" from the thread title. Will do so when not browsing from a mobile.

Happy birthday, Daniel G!

To me, it seems like marketing hype more than anything else, but that's something that has surrounded audio equipment for decades so perhaps one shouldn't be surprised. Previous statements from Neil Young regarding his new product have revealed that he either doesn't understand the principles behind compressed digital audio or that he's trying to generate interest by making false claims, neither of which serves to strengthen my confidence in this technology.

Not to derail this thread and all that... On the other hand, if it helps people to remember this new release and perhaps make a purchase it's maybe all to the benefit of Duke's memory? Thanks, guys!

Thanks, Jim! 2nd time: this time - a boy!

If someone still needs to be convinced into getting Clare Fischer's 'Extension' I would like to add my comments. This is one of Fischer's most interesting albums from so many aspects. The compositions, arrangements and Clare's own playing make it really stand out from anything else from that time. Jonathan's reissue is immaculate and sounds noticeably better than my original mono LP.

Since I've now acquired a few releases from this series I would have to agree completely with the statements above (except that I thibk neither of us is going deaf ) What tape sources that are being used for the Japanese CD reissues seems like an eternal mystery. Maybe tape copies of another generation have been used for these BNLA albums, since I can't remember a corresponding degradation between late BNST and BNLA LP:s.

I was at the delivery suite when this topic was posted, hence the delay. This is of course great news! I remember feeling slightly sad when I had gotten all known sessions by Pearson, and didn't expect there would turn up more. I'm espescially happy both his arrangements of Chick Corea tunes are on this recording.

That track without the cut off ending can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaSDinL6pC8 It has a 15 year old NHØP on bass, BTW.

Any info on what kind of booklet is included in this set?

I've listened again and agree with your assessment that it is a Wurlitzer. Somehow, my first impression was that it was a Fender Rhodes through a distorted amplifier. I wonder why didn't more players try to use an electric piano in a straight jazz setting in the beginning of the 60s. Or did they, but went unrecorded? That particular track isn't entirely representative of the album as a whole. I would describe the other tracks as alternately sombre, gently swinging and occasionally mystical. A very enjoyable album!

I thought the artefacts mentioned above related to mono recordings manipulated to give the impression of stereo recordings, a practice mainly present on LP releases of the 60s/70s.

That would perhaps be the best bet. What's remarkable is that I can't even recall such an early recording of a electric piano that sounds like a Fender Rhodes. Were they (Rhodes pianos) even manufactured by 1961?

Thanks for the link, Brownie. However, the track 'Brazil' was not present on the Fresh Sound release.

I recently got a recent Japanese reissue of Herbie Mann's 'Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues' (originally on United Artists). On the first track there is an electric piano present, which I find unusual on this kind of album since it was recorded in "1961-1962" according to the booklet. Here's a link to the particular track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nizmDRweh7o No keybordist is credited and I can't find info on the internet. Anyone who knows more?

Happy birthday, Bob! Still waiting for a follow-up to our meeting five years ago. Maybe on your side of the Channel within the next decade? :-)

It would be either 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. Would you be able to post a picture of the label?

Right. DRG though from about 5 years ago, not Toshiba 2013. I went for the DRG for those titles. I hope it sounds OK. The combined playing time for the two albums is only 55 minutes. As for the two Shank/Fischer albums I think of them as a unity and wouldn't be without any of them. Fischer's presence make them stand out from Shank's other Brazilian albums IMO

I have ordered the three PJ titles and will be able to report back about the remastering quality soon.

Actually, 'Manteca!', is my favourite album from one of my favourite musicians! (It was on my BFT back in 2004)

To round this off: I caught the Bud Shank release on Spotify and I was not pleased with the sound. It was so compressed that I first didn't even think it was the right recording. Luckily, both albums have now been reissued by Japanese EMI:

In these the final days of the CD era it sometimes appears as if some releases are not drawing attention like they would have 10-15 years ago. It's almost like many of those who still cherish the "physical product" have given up on even looking for new releases or reissues (including myself). Anyway, I happened to notice that there were a few Pacific Jazz titles reissued by EMI Toshiba on June 19th along with a couple of Capitol albums. Clare Fisher's 'Manteca!', a nice enough big band album from 1966, has to my knowledge not been on CD before. Also, the two albums he did with Bud Shank 'Brasamba' and 'Bossa Nova Jazz Samba', have only been released in full on the Spanish PD label Solar Records last year; they were unlistenable needle drops. Here's the whole batch from June, all priced quite reasonably at 1200 Yen (=12 USD/9 EUR/8 GBP): Cannonball Adderley 'The Happy People' (Capitol),TOCJ-66621 Guitars Unlimited 'Quiet Nights & Brazilian Guitars' (Capitol), TOCJ-66622 Stan Kenton 'Artistry in Bossa Nova' (Capitol), TOCJ-66623 Sergio Mendes/Wanda De Sah 'Brasil '65' (Capitol), TOCJ-66624 Wanda De Sah 'Softly' (Capitol), TOCJ-66625 Clare Fischer 'Manteca!' (Pacific Jazz), TOCJ-66626 Bud Shank & Clare Fischer 'Bossa Nova Jazz Samba' (Pacific Jazz), TOCJ-66627 Bud Shank/Clare Fischer/Joe Pass 'Brasamba' (Pacific Jazz), TOCJ-66628

Ah, there it is! I knew that page. Anyway, I'll let you know if I hear something from David Reid.

Thanks for the link, Romualdo (although I've still not found out where the quote in Swedish is from - maybe because I'm browsing from a mobile)! Victor, I believe these reissues are legit. From what I can remember it was reported back when these albums were released that David Reid received some funds from the Swedish Arts Council to complete some of the releases. More releases were planned, though it would seem he ran out of funds and was unable to continue.

I've been interested in this info myself. Date and location info is also missing from the otherwise excellent Anagram release of Harry Bäcklund recordings; a great and undeservedly forgotten Swedish tenor saxophonist who died in obscurity in 1978. David Reid, who ran Anagram Records, is retired, but I've sent him a message using an old email address to see if he's able to supply discographical data.