Onxidlib

Probably this won't be read anymore but I'll give it a try: Maybe I can shed some light on the MOD box set. It is approved by the Campi estate. The masterings were made from EP's as most of the original tapes were destroyed in the cellar of Gigi Campi during a flood. The sound quality is fine though not so much better than on the Jazzrealities CDs. Michael Frohne who did the Jazzrealities CDs is also on board for the BE! Jazz MOD box set. He provided the discography etc. For me the main reason to buy the box was the book and my hope that the mastering would be good. The same goes for the Jutta Hipp box on BE! Jazz. I have it at home at the moment to check what it will include. Realising that I have most of it already I will buy anyway it in a few weeks when I get some percentage. 140 euros are able to pull a minor hole in my bank account. I haven't yet opened the book - this I will do when I actually buy the box. The mastering seems to be OK - but I haven't yet made a direct comparison. In general I can say, that Micha Gottschalk - the man behind BE! Jazz really tries to licence every release on his label(s). But especially the bigger companies mostly won't do it. He is wealthy enough to pay what they want. I remember especially one answer from Universal Germany when he tried to get permission for three recordings in their catalogue. The tenor of the reply was that they don't do 'small transactions" but only big business! This information was not only some words from Mr Gottschalk but was confirmed by three sales-agents. One of them in fact from Universal Germany. He considers to go to Luxemburg with his company. There you have only 25 years for copyright protection.... Another example: I proposed a reissue of the LP "Springboard" to him. He tried to get a licence and according a telephone call we did some month ago he succeded this time. Concerning the NDR Jazz Workshops he has released I know that he discovered that the NDR has no rights apart brodcasting. I believe that he hasn't aquired any rights for the releases. See here... Micha Gottschalk is not always acting correct or lawful but he has no interest in cheating any artist or right-holders. He is a genuine fan and admirer of the artists/music he releases. BTW - Mr. Gottschalk is not a friend of mine but I got to know him through my work as purchasing agent for Germany's biggest store for Jazz and Classical music. Also I am not affiliated in any way with the lable(s) he has founded. Hope the above is able to make the "BE-story" it a bit clearer.