But it's a world market, Lon. Universal Japan have just put out some Prestige material - including Leon Spencer's "Bad walkin' woman" and Rusty Bryant's "Friday night funk" - that hadn't been issued in either the US or Japan before - the Spencer had never been on CD before, the Bryant only in the UK. They must think there are enough customers out there to make it worthwhile. (Oh, and Toshiba issued "Grant Green's "Visions".) If a Japanese firm can sell albums in suficient quantity, so can an American one - the same people are buying.
Delmark must have felt there was a market for Red Holloway's "Go Red go" - a real surprise (to me) of a new issue. Yes, I know; Delmark has a different attitude to EMI and Universal Japan. Ditto Palmetto and Criss Cross Jazz for two Lonnie Smith releases this year. And Doodlin' Records, too.
There's people out there wanting this stuff but the likes of EMI don't know how to get to them, by the looks of it.
MG
Allen, Japan has always had a different market and distributin strategy. Yes, it works for Japan. But the giants like EMI USA are totally different, with different strategies, needs and ambitions. Different than the smaller US labels, Delmark, etc. These little guys CAN find a way to do their releases I guess, can take the risk. EMI is probably going to just limp along like a tired dinosaur towards a download plan.
Well, you may be right - I'm just glad they issued those albums last month! And I look forward to more.
MG