Ed S

Same for me at the recent show in Buffalo. I walked out of there extremely impressed. Have to get Modernistic as well. Alan - check your PMs

I'm not holding my breath on this one. It's listed - and I ordered it. BUT - They also have had Dex's Rainbow People on backorder for quite some time. I figure I'm not risking too much as I have all the material already and can go the Stateside route if my order doesn't get filled. I ordered a couple of Django Jazz in Paris titles that were supposed to be abailable in March, then April 1. They're still on backorder. They did have Dex's Happy Birthday as advertised, however/ CD Universe's track record with new release imports, in my limited experience, is mixed. You guys who ordered it might just have a bird in hand.

Chaney - if you're checking this thread out at all, they announced that Andrew Hill is appearing in October as part of next year's series. Get your tickets early. They'll go on sale sometime in August.

No one laugh..... Gino Vannelli. I'm not talking about his stuff post 1980. I was a fan of his back in the day. A couple of years ago, he played the Montreal Jazz Festival. I could not attend as my wife and I had the kids with us but when we got back home, we found he was booked into a local club. His band included Alain Caron and Paul Brochu of Uzeb, plus a couple of other jazz musicians from the Montreal area. Very nice show with a very strong jazz feel.

I copied this off the Blue Note site at one point. I'm afraid I don't know how old or complete it is but it is a start. Right off the bat you'd have to add in last year's release - Jimmy McGriff - The Worm, Jack McDuff - Moon Rappin', Groove Holmes - Comin On Home, Eddie Henderson - Sunburst, Bobbi Humphrey - Satin Doll. Here's the list that I have: Byrd, Donald-Fancy Free Byrd,Donald-Electric Byrd Byrd, Donald-Kofi Byrd, Donald-Blackbyrd Byrd, Donald-Street Lady Byrd, Donald-Places and Spaces Byrd, Donald-Ethiopian Knights Donaldson, Lou-Good Gracious Donaldson, Lou-Alligator Boogaloo Donaldson, Lou-Mr. Shing-a-ling Donaldson, Lou-Pretty Things Donaldson, Lou-Hot Dog Donaldson, Lou-Everything I Play Is Funky Donaldson, Lou-The Scorpion Foster, Ronnie-Two-Headed Freap Green, Grant-Carryin' On Green, Grant-Green Is Beautiful Green, Grant-Alive Green, Grant-Live At The Lighthouse Hutcherson, Bobbie-Live At Montreux Hutcherson, Bobbie - San Francisco Kenton, Stan-Adventures In Time McDuff, Jack-Down Home Style McGriff, Jimmy-Electric Funk Mitchell, Blue-Down With It Patton, John-Accent On the Blues Patton, John-Let em Roll Patton, John-Understanding Patton, John- Boogaloo Patton, John-Memphis to New York Spirit Pearson, Duke-I Don't Care Who Knows It Pearson, Duke-Sweet Honey Bee Pearson, Duke-The Right Touch Smith, Lonnie-Move Your Hand Smith, Lonnie-Live At Club Mozambique Smith, Lonnie - Drives Three Sounds-Live At the It Club Turrentine, Stanley-Never Let Me Go Turrentine, Stanley-Common Touch Turrentine, Stanley-Easy Walker Wilson, Reuben-Blue Mode Wilson, Reuben-Love Bug Various Artists-Rare Grooves Various Artists-The Lost Grooves Various- Break Beats vol.1&2,

The Pat Metheny website has a song as well - Ferry Across The Mersey Pat Metheny website

CD Universe now has this set listed for $92.61. They've got an availability date of April 22.

Since the digipack subject was touched upon earlier, I'll throw in my 2 cents. I prefer jewel cases. There's the broken teeth thing that does happen and the occasional accident in which one of your children leaves some type liquid on the counter or spills something. I transport discs to work and digipacks often get "bruised." Jewel cases can always be replaced in this case. I also hate the way they flop all over my storage shelves where as the jewel cases stand up, so when I remove one or two doscs I can always see where they came from without having to read the spine of each disc to get them in the correct order. Then there's the spine itself, which always seems to be at a weird angle making it more difficult to read, IMO. But I've never let packaging stand in the way of obtaining the music.

It was a toss up for me, but I went with Hank Mobley. But isn't it nice to have so many excellent choices?

Same for me. I started listening to his ECM recordings in the 70s as I was beginning to explore jazz and expand beyond fusion. I think I've got almost everything he's done since then. Those trio records are fabulous and are among my favorites. I kind of cycle through his material. Those classic PMG recordings with the Brazilian influence always get a lot of play in the warm days of summer. I really dig the most recent PMG but have not warmed up to Imaginary Day. I heard that tour live and the music was spectacular, but I can't seem to get the same feel from the studio record. For me, Speaking of now brings back more of the feel represented on Letter From Home, Still Life Talking and First Circle.

I've personally have no problem with companies reissuing material legally. I have a big problem with the companies that appear to pirate material that has been reissued by US companies who still operate under the constraints of the 75 year policy. For these older sets and releases, I enjoy the information that is provided with the release. Specifically, I enjoy the booklets, photos, essays and historical context that is provided by by a well crafted booklet. I purchased a lot of this material to explore from a historical perspective as well as to enjoy, so that kind of information is essential for me. Obviously, Mosaic is the premier produce of these types of sets and I'll continue to buy these so long as they maintain this letvel of quality. It's why I have the Mosaic Reinhardt rather than volume 2 of the JSP set and why I have the Mosaic Mildred Bailey rather than that rip-off version. I have heard good things about Proper, especially in the booklet area, so I will have to give them a shot as well.

Well my discs arrived today from Dusty Groove. What super service! Order Tuesday, confirm Wednesday, arrive Friday. Not bad. I've given the discs the once over. If nothing else, they are definitely "of the period'. They've definitely got that early 70s sound. The first one I listened to was the Gale. I had no idea who Gale is and had never heard a lick of his music. Never checked AMG, just sort of took a flyer on this one. I was expecting a sort of jazzy soul/groove Donald Byrd sort of thing. What I got was something that nearly knocked my socks off. Nice record. Very adventurous and I dig the vocals too. I'll definitely have to give this some more listens. Then I went on the the Mouzon. Blistering guitar work and occasionally over the top fusion style drumming. Not that that's a bad thing. You just have to be ready and/or in the mood. Kari's right, sounds a lot more like a rock album in many places. There are some real nice moments as well. On to the Foster. Definitely my favorite of the bunch so far. AMG characterized this album as Ronnie Foster plays hits of the 70s. True in a lot of respects. He does a knock-out version of "Me and Mrs Jones". Very Nice. "Where Is The Love" and "Alone Again, Naturally" (even with the sitar) are also highlights of the first listen. I've got Gene Harris "Nexus" on now. The first two songs were not bad except for the annoying high pitched synth that played the lead and solos. The next few tunes haven't been bad. There's a few nice soulful tracks with the feel that you'd expect Harris could generate in this setting. I remember when I was a teenager thinking that the synthesizer sound was so excellent. 30 years later, it doesn't sound so great. One complaint about these is that the liner notes, the song titles and artist information is printed in microscopic size lettering on the back of the removable booklet. Open it up, and there's nothing inside. Would have been nice to print them in a readable size on the inside. In summary, if you plan on picking these up, expect and be ready for some hard core 70s style (and sound) soul/funk/jazz. I happen to dig that thing as I grew up in that period. It's sort of a retro/nostalgia thing for me. But this might not be for everyone.

As far Pat Metheny Group albums go I'd have to say my favorites are (in no particular order) Letter From Home, Still Life talking, Speaking of Now, Offramp, First Circle. Travels is indeed excellent as is the more recent The Road to You (both live) I really enjoy all aspects of Metheny's music from his ECM days to the trios to the full blown PMG. I think that being involved in so many projects of varying natures have kept Metheny interesting. His PMG release are spaced pretty far apart and his non PMG project tend to be more toward mainstream jazz. I guess knowing the guy can really play helps in the acceptance of his PMG material and getting beyond the sheen that's apparent on those albums. Once you get beyong that, there's beautiful often exhilarating music, tons of rhythm and world influences, great arrangements and excellent solos (at least to my ears).

Count me in as another fan of PMG - production and all. PMG is just one aspect of the material to which I listen. It might be amongst the most highly "produced", but I find among the most beautiful as well.

Iwas just over at the Blue Note site and in their news section, their talking this guy up. I can only assume that he's now a Blue Note artist. I went to his website and am listening to some tunes now. Pretty good stuff. For what it's worth, his AMG bio looks impressive (to me) and their review of his Orthodoxy record is very favorable. Anyone know anything about this guy or hear him play at some point? From what I'm hearing right now, he's definitely worth checking out.

No joke. It's violet and black.

I checked out the link Kari provided. (Thanks) It's Rare Groove Heaven. I definitely have to figure out where to get these babies. I guess I'll start at Dusty Groove. Yesterday, I ordered the Ronnie Foster, Eddie Gale, Alphonse Mouzon and Gene Harris. Didn't see any others, but I didn't know what to look for either.

Welcome comrade ! If anyone could survive the Blue Not purge it is you. I will drink several vodkas in your honor tonight. However I will not follow comrade Out2Lunch's recommendation as I fear the combined sedative effects of several glasses of vodka and a disc from the Four Freshmen set might cause me to slip into a coma. I think the board is nearly complete with the arrival of you and Achtung Dr. Freud calling. Now where's that Metternich guy I saw once or twice over at Blue Note?

Ah good Doctor. Welcome to the board! Not a moment too soon, I might add. I fear that some on the board might be masking their feelings about the Blue Note Board and might need some of your services to get over this repressed anger and go through a proper mourning period. The signs of post traumatic stress disorder might soon begin to emerge as we move further away from the events of that fateful week. As you know, those who are having these symptoms might not even know they are having them. So obviously, they will be in denial. You have your work cut out for you. Don't worry about me, though. I'm fine. Just don't mention Tom Evered's name in my presence. As for our dear friend Red Menace, he has survived many purges - purges that make the Blue Note purge look like child's play. I have faith that he will surface once again. I will drink vodka tonight in his honor.

Powerful Awesome Unbelievable Incredible Excellent I am so glad I went. Stylistically, these guys were all over the map - straight ahead, in the pocket, forays into the avante garde, trios, duos, solos, ballads. Osby doesn't talk much. They just got up and played, and played, and played. It wasn't until the last song of the first set - when they broke into the Sidewinder that I recognized a song, though Moran used a part of Body and Soul in one of his solos. That's not a complaint. It was absolutely incredible to sit there and hear stuff that I'd never heard before (or at least did not recognize), listen and appreciate the sound and feel, the solos, pick up a groove and listen to them create around it and just enjoy these guys play. I thought Osby was terrific - very versatile, great tone and feel. I loved the piano/sax duos and the sax trio segments of the performance. Moran is a genius. Never a dull moment in his playing - solos or comping. Both these guys are incredibly gifted. Their version of the Sidewinder was absolutely kick-ass. They took the original groove and melody lines and turned in a modern version of this classic that, well - kicked ass. The second set was much the same - incredible music played masterfully. Once again, I was at a loss as to song titles except for a fabulous version of East St. Louis Toodloo that finished the show. Never heard anything like it. Other than introduce the band once each set, the only other thing that Osby said was thanks for attending and that it was nice to see a big crowd. (the auditorium was sold out - about 350 people). He said that so many times when they hit the road, attendance is sparce and that is the reason they go to Europe and Japan where audiences are larger. They spent some time after the show talking with attendees. I was able to get both Osby and Moran to autograph the booklets to CDs (one of each artist) I had brought along.

In a catalog many, many moons ago, Michaels Cuscuna described how on occasion, as a set was nearing its expiration, Mosaic might negotiate an extension or even "buy" the rights to the remaining stock, thus enabling the set to stay in print longer. I'm fairly certain that this was what happened to the Shaw material. Michael was involved with the original production of that material and felt very strongly that Woody's set should be available for the complete run. My guess is that with the JJ and Wilson sets, they did something to extend the life of the set as well. But times have changes and Mosaic has produced tons more sets since those came out. With slower sales and warehouse space at a premium, my guess is that these would have been long gone if they were more recent releases. I'm sure that Mosaic knows the sales patterns of their sets and realizes that after a certain point, sets just hang around and generate relatively few sales. It just makes more sense to let these expire and enjoy the higher sales of the sets that replace them on the shelves.

My Ready for Freddie is a BN pressing and is Black/Silver. While Black and Siver now seems to have become the unoffcial look of the Rare Groove series (of which there are a number of earlier Blue and White issues), someone had asked this question over at Blue Note. By chance, this thread is active on the link that Swinging Swede posted in another forum, so I cut and pasted. Look for Kevin Bresnahan's first post in the thread (bolded by me). It contains a comment made to him by Tom Evered about the colors: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ baysideuph Member Member # 2211 posted January 16, 2002 07:07 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Could Some one please tell me, The different colors of disks like Black-silver,blue-silver,blue-white. Is there any meaning behind this. Thanks bayside -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 31 | From: Bonita Sp Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged Rooster Ties Member Member # 2057 posted January 16, 2002 08:35 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And what about Greg Osby's "Further Ado" - it's... ... ... ...ORANGE!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 350 | From: Kansas City, MO, USA | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged Tony Jerant Member Member # 212 posted January 16, 2002 08:42 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah...so is Joe Lovano's RUSH HOUR. I haven't figured out any particular pattern to the colors, EXCEPT that there is a tendency to have white and black used for stuff that BN reissues that was not originally released on BN (e.g. on recently reissued United Artists dates like JAZZ ALIVE and BENNY GOLSON AND THE PHILADELPHIANS). And some (all?) of the Rare Grooves I think also used black instead of the "usual" blue, sometimes with silver and sometimes with white. And earlier BN "regular" reissues (from the mid- to late-80's) - tended to have blue paint on a regular silver background (no white). I think that scheme has been pretty much been abandoned. The blue and white paint seems most prominent...used for the Connoisseurs, RVG's, and some other reissues. Anyone else come up with other takes on "cracking the code" of BN CD paint colors? Another observation - it seems BN changes fonts (on the CD itself especially) like most people change socks...almost daily. [ January 16, 2002: Message edited by: Tony Jerant ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 2140 | From: Sacramento, CA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged Shawn Member Member # 502 posted January 16, 2002 08:50 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To add to the fun, all of the Collector's Choice titles had white tray cards... You know if you play side one of A New Perspective it syncs up perfectly with the last segment of 2001... [ January 16, 2002: Message edited by: Shawn ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 1155 | From: Dallas, TX | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged Lucky T Member Member # 2056 posted January 16, 2002 10:04 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I thought everyone was talking about the bottom of the disc. The bottom of the disc's on my Hot Jazz on Blue Note set look all grey and funny looking. I have had the set since it came out. When I pulled the set out the other day to see if the sound was different than the stuff on the mosaic's and it wouldn't even play through! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 160 | From: Minneapolis | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged Kevin Bresnahan Member Member # 132 posted January 17, 2002 05:07 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lucky, if the read side of the CD is all gray and funny looking, you probably got CD-Rs or, more likely, CD-RWs! CD-RWs look gray and chances are would be a likely candidate to stop playing over time, particularly if your storage area gets warm. Where and when did you buy it? Maybe it was a store that re-wrapped returns? I know Tower does this. BTW, I once asked tomatbluenote about these color variations and he said there was no significance to it. He even said that it was probably just a graphics designer who got sick of blue! I asked him because I thought the Dexter Gordon "Live at the Keystone" CDs had the oddest color schemes. Pink & black, lime green & black and purple & black. Weird. Later, Kevin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 1742 | From: Atkinson, NH | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged Lucky T Member Member # 2056 posted January 17, 2002 06:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They are definitely not CDR's. I bought it at the Electric Fetus, it is a large record store in town. It almost looks like the disc's are separating. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 160 | From: Minneapolis | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged Kevin Bresnahan Member Member # 132 posted January 17, 2002 07:20 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Lucky T: They are definitely not CDR's. I bought it at the Electric Fetus, it is a large record store in town. It almost looks like the disc's are separating. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's wild! Never heard of that or seen it in my day. Gray to me usually means CD-RW. Never seen a gray "plant manufactured" CD. Later, Kevin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 1742 | From: Atkinson, NH | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged Lucky T Member Member # 2056 posted January 17, 2002 07:30 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was not grey when I bought it. I have had it for years and it has played fine until the most recent time I pulled it out to listen to it. The thing about it that is weird, is that all the disc's look all separated. Hey Tom, is this some kind of defect you have heard about? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 160 | From: Minneapolis | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged weizen Member Member # 833 posted January 17, 2002 10:25 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dexter Gordon "The Squirrel" I once owned had that Gray/Green & Silver color...wasn't a cd-r. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 1641 | From: Virginia, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged Indestructible! Member Member # 918 posted January 17, 2002 11:53 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi All, Just to add to the fun... the disk color of the TOCJ Blue Note Classics series (12 CD's of some of the earliest BN recordings, including Ammons, Lewis, Bechet, Hodes, Quebec, etc.) is PINK and BLACK! I think I read somewhere that the original colors of the Blue Note label were actually pink and black... back when the Ammons/Lewis and Port of Harlem Jazzmen were issued. Anyone know if this is true??? Either way, these CD's are great... and I hope that BN here in the U.S. keeps on putting out these "classic" recordings, regardless of the disk color! Cheers, Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 72 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By the way, my Nights at the Keystone discs are Tan/Black, Dark Blue/Black, and Violet/Black. Equally weird.

Were you able to get any of the dented cans at a discount?

Thanks for the info Kevin. I guess nothing lasts forever. I always thought of Hunter as one of BN's best.

I had forgotten about that one. I wanted to pick it up when it first came out, but CD Universe had it listed as backordered. I checked again today with the same status evident. I'm probable going to pick up the new Dex box so I'll have to chek with that Stateside to see if they have Rainbow people as well.