Bol

So is it any good? Or is it just meandering rambling mess?

What you are buying is not just a particular item. It is the item plus the particular service -- including the duration of the shipping process -- that the seller is offering. Once we take that into consideration, what Caiman is doing can appropriately be labeled "bait & switch". If a seller charges you extra shipping costs for express shipping, and then sends your item by media mail, you would think that he is practicing bait and switch. What Caiman is doing is often worse than that. As for deserving to be disappointed, that is a very strange idea. I can see that if your benchmark for legitimate merchant behavior is Caiman, then you are not an optimist. But I buy out-of-print, hard-to-find items all the time from Amazon marketplace sellers -- oftentimes at very attractive prices. The bottom line is that if Caiman were as honest and transparent in its business dealings as most other sellers, then there would not be so many complaints about them.

Please let me know if you know of a way to obtain a copy. Thanks.

They have 400,000 feedbacks on Amazon alone in just calender year '06, which probably means they are moving well over a million items a year. I know how out of date my trade lists can get moving 100-200 items a year from it. They make an honest attempt to acquire any title and to keep up with what is current. They ship very quickly on some items (which they likely have in their Florida warehouse) , and slower on others, and occasionally they are out of stock and cannot obtain, and they will keep trying to get it for as long as you're willing to wait, and very glad to refund your purchase price if you cancel the backordered item. That's not fraud any more than your corner CD store putting in a special order for you and not receiving the item. They are doing the best they can to mesh their business model (which is a sensible one for they volume they are moving) with Amazon's business model (which ensures Amazon gets their cut up front). I think they're a great organization, and an honorable one, and will continue to buy 80% of my Amazon CD purchases through them, as I have in the past year. To call them fraudulant is ludicrous. I disagree. The presumption is that if an Amazon marketplace seller lists an item, it is supposed to be in stock. Amazon itself got into some trouble some years ago with federal investigators for misdescribing their stock info on their website. The Amazon marketplace idea would be radically different from what it currently is if people came to think that the sellers often do not have what they list. Caiman is the only seller in my own experience -- ordering about 15-20 items per year for the last 3-4 years -- that lists items that they do not have, and does so systmatically, not just as a result of oversight. If all sellers did that, Caiman itself would not be able to do the business it now does, as Amazon marketplace would not be so frequented by customers. Basically, what if everyone did that? For one thing, no one would be able to buy a hard-to-find item without having to go through the hassle of e-mailing every seller to find out whether they really have the item. I don't think that is the idea behind the Amazon marketplace. And as Ken points out above, the whole idea of confirming an order is to express to the buyer the seller's intention to ship within 2 days. Obviously, Caiman when it confirms orders for items it does not have is acting fraudulently.

Glad to be of service!! Just don't go around supporting fraud-perpetrating sellers on Amazon.

I'm glad that some people have had good experience. But whether you get a good experience dealing with them should not depend on whether you know already which of their listed items you can order without getting jerked around. They are in effect practicing fraud.

Has anyone ordered an out-of-print or otherwise hard-to-find item from the Amazon marketplace seller Caiman? I have the impression that they just list items without having any scruples about their ability to fill the orders. For the third time in a row, they did not have the items that they listed and I ordered. I guess I will avoid them like the plague from now on. Why waste everyone's time like this?

Wow! That's too bad. I have all but 3 of the CDs, and I was hoping that collecting the CDs would get me most of the sessions. Thanks for the info though.

I know that there was an LP-set of Keynote recordings, and then a number of individual CDs. I was just wondering how much of the music was *not* issued on CDs. I think all together there were 14 CDs -- 10 volumes with the Hawkins and Eldridge sets being multiple CD sets. Thanks in advance for this info.

I've been getting some excellent advice from Vladimir at North Country Audio. Is there any reason not to buy from this outfit? For instance, are their prices competitive? In general, is there a good site to consult in getting price estimates for audio equipment?

PM sent regarding Hawkins, "Village Gate".

I believe it is PC only. RATS!!

So, am I right in thinking that this INport device does not work with Macs?

I hope this group records soon. And I hope they record with a label other than ECM. Blue Note would be nice.

I thought I saw a new copy during my recent visit to Dwontown Music Gallery in NYC -- a month ago. You may want to give them a call, or at least check their website.

Is "Sonny's Time Now" any good? The lineup looks good, but the idea of poetry-reading sounds utterly dreary.

Here are some that seduced me when I began to listen to jazz: Miles Davis, "Cookin'" (Prestige) Miles Daivs, "Relaxin'" (Prestige) Sonny Clark, "Cool Struttin'" (Blue Note) Dexter Gordon, "Go" (Blue Note) Andrew Hill, "Point of Departure" (Blue Note) Gerry Mulligan, "Complete Quartet with Chet Baker" (Pacific Jazz) And I would urge you to get the Mosaic Mulligan CJB set before they disappear!!

Thanks to everyone for helpful advice. Let me ask a follow-up question. If the turntable I buy has a built-in phono equalizer, how do I connect it to my stereo system? Do I connect it using the AUX input? Or do I have to connect my speakers directly to the turntable? Sorry to be such a dolt about this. As you can see, I am a complete innocent when it comes to audio equipment. I think Gary Giddins once said something like not knowing the high-end (audio) from one's rear end. That's me.

I've just inherited some OOP Mosaic LP sets. I do not have a turntable, and would like to get one, but have no idea how to proceed. What I would like is something reasonable (no more than say $300), but something that will make good sound and would not damage these rare LPs. Also, eventually, I would like to be able to download the music on these LPs to some CDRs and/or a harddrive so that I can play the music easily without the fear of damaging the LPs. As far as I can see, my amplifier does not have a phono jack. It has an AUX jack. Any advice on what to get and how to proceed?

I have the following CDs for sale or trade. Shipping within the US is included. All of my CDs (including inserts) are in excellent condition unless otherwise noted. I prefer to receive payments in PayPal -- from bank accounts only; no credit cards or debit cards. XXX: sold or on hold. $51.50 Jelly Roll Morton, “Centennial: His Complete Victor Recordings” (RCA) oop [5-CD set] $24.50 each Count Basie, “The Complete Decca Recordings” (Decca) 3 CDs Enrico Rava & Ran Blake, “Duo en Noir” (Between the Lines) oop Horace Tapscott, “The Dark Tree 1” (Hat Art 6053) [quartet w/ J. Carter, McBee, Cyrille] Horace Tapscott, “The Dark Tree 2” (Hat Art 6083) [trio, quartet w/ J. Carter, McBee, Cyrille] [Tapscott CDs are jewel case versions. Light scratches on CDs but they play perfectly.] $15.50 each Chris Abelen, “Proost” (BVHaast) [tentet w/ Baars, Termos, Vermeerssen, Boeren, de Joode, Vatcher] Bik Bent Braam, "Goes Bonsai" (BBB) Sean Bergin, “Nansika” (Data) [quintet w/ C. Clark, F. Douglas, de boo] Sean Bergin & Gianluca Petrella, “Radio 3” (Auand) [quartet w/ H. Drake] Cor Fuhler, “Corkestra” (Data) [nonet w/ Baars, Delius, de Joode, Vatcher] XXXDavid Murray & Bobby Bradford, “Death of a Sideman” (DIW) obi [quartet, quintet w/ D. Burrell, E. Blackwell] Gianluca Petrella, “X-Ray” (Auand) [quartet] $13.50 each Phil Bancroft, “Headlong” (Caber) oop [quartet w/ R. Anderson, T. Stronen] William Parker, “The Peach Orchard” (Aum Fidelity) 2 CDs [quartet w/ R. Brown, Cooper-Moore, Ibarra] Aki Takase, “St. Louis Blues” (Enja) very hard to get in the US [duo, quintet w/ R. Mahall, Wogram, Frith, Lovens] $10.50 each Conference Call, “Live at the Outpost Performance Space” (482 Music) [quartet w/ Ullmann, M.J. Stevens, Fonda, Hemingway] Marty Cook, “Theory of Strange” (Enja) [quintet w/ R. Mahall, Takase, E. Schuller, Betsch] 4Walls, “and the world aint square” (Red Note) [quartet; V. Weston, L. Ex, Vatcher, Minton] 4Walls, “Which Side are You On?” (Red Note) [quartet; V. Weston, L. Ex, Vatcher, Minton] Franz Koglmann & Lee Konitz, “We Thought About Duke” (Hat Art 6163) [quintet, quartet w/ T. Coe] John Law, “Abacus” (Hatology) [quartet w/ J. Lloyd, G. Hemingway] Roscoe Mitchell Quartet (Sackville) [w/ G. Lewis, M.R. Abrams, S. Barfield] Ralph Peterson, “Presents the Fo’tet” (Blue Note/Somethin’ Else) oop [quartet, sextet w/ D. Byron, D. Murray] [light scratches that do not affect sound] Martial Solal, “Just Friends” (Dreyfus) [trio w/ Peacock, P. Motian] Martin Speake, “Change of Heart” (ECM) [quartet w/ B. Stenson, P. Motian] Bobo Stenson, “Goodbye” (ECM) [trio w/ Jormin, P. Motian] Frans Vermeerssen, “One for Rahsaan” (A-Records) [quintet w/ Braam, de Joode, Vatcher] Zentralquartett (Intakt) [quartet w/ C. Bauer, G. Sommer] I also have the following books for sale. All of the books are in excellent condition, and in some cases practically new. Shipping is $4 each. All books are hardback with dustjacket. Alfred Brendel, Music Sounded Out $10 XXXGary Giddins, Visions of Jazz $10 Gary Giddins, Weather Bird $10 Gary Giddins, Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams (a black remainder mark on the bottom) $7

Just got mine today. Really a very fine CD. As good as his late 1950s recordings. His 2 quartet recordings with Geri Allen and Charnet Moffett were good but they in my opinion were seriously marred by some weird echo effect and some really innane singing on one of the two CDs (something like Diana Ross-Lionel Richie stuff). "Sound Grammar" seems to me excellent all around. Hope he doesn't wait so long before putting out another recording in the future.

More and more I think, the release that would be most exciting would be Chick Corea's Circle recordings.

How about some Art Hodes? I don't think any Hodes have been issued aside from the Mosaic. Even the batch celebrating the 60 year anniversary did not include any Hodes. And I'm sure that there are many Blue Note 10", Capitol, Liberty, and Pacific Jazz stuff they can issue as Conns. Here are some random selections: Bob Gordon, "Meet Mr. Gordon" (Pacific Jazz) Jim Hall, "Good Friday Blues" (Pacific Jazz) Jutta Hipp Quintet (Blue Note) Hank Mobley Quartet (Blue Note) Zoot Sims, "Choice" (Pacific Jazz) Roy Haynes, "People" (Pacific Jazz) V.A., "Best from the West" (Blue Note)

I have the following CDs for sale or trade. Shipping within the US is included. All of my CDs (including inserts) are in excellent condition unless otherwise noted. I prefer to receive payments in PayPal -- from bank accounts only; no credit cards or debit cards. $51.50 Jelly Roll Morton, “Centennial: His Complete Victor Recordings” (RCA) oop [5-CD set] $23.50 each Enrico Rava & Ran Blake, “Duo en Noir” (Between the Lines) oop Horace Tapscott, “The Dark Tree 1” (Hat Art 6053) [quartet w/ J. Carter, McBee, Cyrille] Horace Tapscott, “The Dark Tree 2” (Hat Art 6083) [trio, quartet w/ J. Carter, McBee, Cyrille] [The Tapscott CDs are jewel case versions. Light scratches on CDs but they play perfectly. Inserts in very fine shape.] $15.50 each Ran Blake w/ Ricky Ford & Steve Lacy, “That Certain Feeling” (Hat Art) oop [all Gershwin program] $13.50 each Phil Bancroft, “Headlong” (Caber) oop [quartet w/ R. Anderson, T. Stronen] Ran Blake, “Sonic Temples” (GM Recordings) 2 CDs [trio w/ E. Schuller, G. Schuller] William Parker, “The Peach Orchard” (Aum Fidelity) 2 CDs [quartet w/ R. Brown, Cooper-Moore, Ibarra] Aki Takase, “St. Louis Blues” (Enja) very hard to get in the US [duo, quintet w/ R. Mahall, Wogram, Frith, Lovens] $10.50 each Marty Cook, “Theory of Strange” (Enja) [quintet w/ R. Mahall, Takase, E. Schuller, Betsch] 4Walls, “and the world aint square” (Red Note) [quartet; V. Weston, L. Ex, Vatcher, Minton] 4Walls, “Which Side are You On?” (Red Note) [quartet; V. Weston, L. Ex, Vatcher, Minton] Bill Frisell, “East/West” (Nonesuch) [trio; Wollesen] 2 CDs Franz Koglmann & Lee Konitz, “We Thought About Duke” (Hat Art 6163) [quintet, quartet w/ T. Coe] John Law, “Abacus” (Hatology) [quartet w/ J. Lloyd, G. Hemingway] Roscoe Mitchell Quartet (Sackville) [w/ G. Lewis, M.R. Abrams, S. Barfield] Paul Motian, “Garden of Eden” (ECM) [septet w/ Malaby, Cheeks, Cardenas, Monder] Ralph Peterson, “Presents the Fo’tet” (Blue Note/Somethin’ Else) oop [quartet, sextet w/ D. Byron, D. Murray] [light scratches that do not affect sound] Der Rote Bereich III (Jazz4Ever) [trio w/ R. Mahall] Martin Speake, “Change of Heart” (ECM) [quartet w/ B. Stenson, P. Motian] Bobo Stenson, “Goodbye” (ECM) [trio w/ Jormin, P. Motian] Frans Vermeerssen, “One for Rahsaan” (A-Records) [quintet w/ Braam, de Joode, Vatcher] Zentralquartett (Intakt) [quartet w/ C. Bauer, G. Sommer] $8.50 each Conference Call, “Live at the Outpost Performance Space” (482 Music) [quartet w/ Ullmann, M.J. Stevens, Fonda, Hemingway] Scott Fields, Francois Houle, & Jason Lee Roebke, “Hornets Collage” (Nuscope) Enrico Pieranunzi, “Special Encounter” (CamJazz) [trio w/ C. Haden, P. Motian] Matthew Shipp, “Strata” (Hatalogy) [quartet w/ R. Campbell, W. Parker] Sonny Simmons, “Ancient Ritual” (Qwest) [trio w/ C. Moffett] I also have the following books for sale. All of the books are in excellent condition, and in some cases practically new. Shipping is $4 each. All books are hardback with dustjacket. Alfred Brendel, Music Sounded Out $10 Gary Giddins, Visions of Jazz $10 Gary Giddins, Weather Bird $10 Gary Giddins, Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams (a black remainder mark on the bottom) $7 Gunther Schuller, Early Jazz $12 Gunther Schuller, The Swing Era $12

15% off $25 or more online: T52FW8Y I know the company is sinking, but might as well give them more revenue. They still seem capable of filling orders very efficiently.