I don't think it was Jazz Loft. They sold them for $99 as a presale deal and later had a $90 clearance deal on their remaining stock several months later.
I agree the documentation is lousy. Judging by the size of the booklet it seems as if there were some additional notes intended for the release that got nixed at some point.
That's right--same line-up plus guests on the Montreux box, recorded three days earlier. My interest in the Montreux box ends about midway through that concert.
Just picked up "On the Beach" on vinyl the other day and am quite enjoying it. Definitely of its time, but enjoyable, like the missing link between Sun Ra and Earth, Wind and Fire.
Keep posting the positive reviews--no one is going to pay too much attention to the dates.
The two-star reviewer is nuts and probably listened to a rip of someone's old scratchy vinyl. This is a great reissue in so many ways--excellent remaster, interesting bonus tracks, interesting liner notes.
He also knocks one of my favourites — Miles Davis In Concert — and wasn't as enthused about Pangaea.
I found the book more valuable for the interviews. Most of the Columbia era boxed sets have a lot of interviews and extensive details about tracks. The On the Corner box has very little information. Tingen's book helps fill in the blanks. In particular, I found what Reggie Lucas and Mtume had to say to be very interesting.
Ed Michel's liner notes to Sun Ra: The Great Lost Sun Ra Albums: Cymbals & Crystal Spears tell the story. It was either excerpted or reprinted in the Impulse book.
"Honky Tonk" isn't on the box set (you'll have to get the Jack Johnson box for that one), but everything else is, including an alternate of "Mtume." Mixes are from the LP masters. "Calypso Frelimo" could use a remastering--it's always sounded partially submerged to me.
Marantzes were great. I keep hoping one will turn up at a garage sale. Actually saw one at a yard sale once, but my nap-fickle baby had just fallen asleep after an hour of pushing her in the stroller.