Teasing the Korean

Which releases are you listening to? My (limited) experience has been more in concert with the other posters on this thread: crazy separation with a big old hole in the middle. Please see second-to-last paragraph of first post in this thread...

You must've heard different stereo releases than the ones I have. The ones I'm referreing to exhibit the opposite of the hole in the middle - there's so much bleedover you can't tell what is in what speaker unless you really make a project of it. I prefer this kind of stereo to the type utlilized by other labels, in which there is clear line between what's in the middle vs. what's in either speaker; which to me sounds and feels more contrived. This is simply my opinion; others of course will disagree... Hence, my preference in general for MONO!

Generally speaking, I prefer listening to jazz on LP and in mono. That said, some of the best and most natural sounding jazz stereo recordings I've heard are some of the early ones on Atlantic. Everybody's in the same room (of course), and it doesn't sound like any attempt is made to prevent bleeding from one channel to the other. The end result is a very natural, ambient stereo room sound that enhances the groove rather than distracting from it. You really feel like you're right in the room with these guys. These sessions must have been recorded on 2 track or at the most three. A couple of examples off the top of my head include some of the early Mose Allison Atlantic albums and "Soul Meeting" by Ray Charles and Milt Jackson. Thoughts?

Thanks for all of these suggestions. I have one of the Blue Note books, the West Coast book, and the Flora book. It sounds like at least 3 of the titles mentioned would compliment these well - if I can find them, that is!

How about either Cuban Fire or West Side Story, both arranged by Johnny Richards? I would also recommend his earlier recordings with arrangements by Pete Rugolo.

That second one looks like it would at least provide a good start. Too bad it ends at 1960, but I guess it can't include everything...

Anyone know of a good resource - either online or book form - with a fairly indepth survey of jazz album cover designs and designers? Preferably NOT devoted to a single label, and preferably dealing with some obscure things that were done (semi) anonymously. Not sure if this exists, or if I'll have to get to work writing and researching it myself...

He also contributed to one of Herbie Mann's best albums, "The Whirling Dervishes," which is in a similar bag to "Impressions of the Middle East."

"The Orchestra of the 80s" - Now there's a scary thought, regardless of the leader...No wonder I'm so frightented of anything on that label!

The Discovery albums I've seen are reissues of his World Pacific/Pacific Jazz albums. Not sure if he recorded anything especially for this label. Come to think of it, the only albums I've seen on Discovery by anyone are reissues.

But if you have any of the three Blue Note 78s that were released in stereo, we'll count those. And if you have all three we'll count them as 4!

New Rule: They've got to be mono or they don't count.

I never even HEARD of this album. Is it rare? Sorry I can't help you, but thanks for letting me know it's out there!

Yeah, that's the one. My copy seems to be in rechanneled stereo. Is there a true stereo version of this album? It was recorded in 1958.

Yes, it's Monk. They must be alternates, unless they recorded more tracks than made it to the original album? Probably same performances, just different titles. Not alternate takes. Sorry, I meant alternate titles rather than alternate takes.

Yes, it's Monk. They must be alternates, unless they recorded more tracks than made it to the original album?

I have an album called "CT meets Monk" which appears to be a 1960s ABC/Riverside reissue of the "In Orbit" album, but there are a couple of different titles. "Globetrotter" in place of "In Orbit" and "Zip Co-ed" instead of "Pea Eye." Are these different or incorrect titles but the same tracks?

I have a number of his Philips LPs. His arrangement of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On," with the sitar, blows the original out of the water, and is regularly programmed in my dj sets. So there.

Upon hearing this sad news my wife and I watched the famous scene in "Contempt," in which his character (an asshole amerikan investor) is watching an edit of a film he's financing with director Fritz Lang. The scene ends with our hero hurling a reel of film like a discus, using his assistant's back as a desk to write a check, and trying to pick up Brigitte Bardot (who is married to the protagonist, Michel Piccoli). What a great scene. His portrayal of "Dracula" in the Dan Curtis adaptation is one of the definitive readings of that character. I hope some of this makes sense, as it's nearly midnight and I've had several glasses of wine...

Left the door to the rekkid room open, and one of the cats decided to use the LP spines as a scratching post. Luckily, the stacks of more recent acquisitions on the floor ended up protecting the area housing the genres I really care about. That said, they got to the "rock/pop" section, letters R and S. Casualties included the first Silver Apples album on Kapp (not really rock/pop; why didn't you have it with the moog/electronic records, dummy?) and the Rutles.

Ever come across one of these? I have thousands of LPs, but have only 2 albums that do this and I can’t figure out the sitcheeyation with either. I have a mono Paul Desmond/Jim Hall on RCA Dynagroove. Every time the guitar comes up in the mix for a solo, It’s like an earthquake: the tonearm starts vibrating like mad. Also, some Gary McFarland album on Skye that has something or other to do with Greek mythology. There are similar parts where the tonearm just starts vibrating and skipping. What’s up with these? Were the masters not cut to industry standards?

Me too. Dirty Harry, Taking of Pelham, Blaxploitation flicks. I love the scenes in the police precincts. Everyone looks so unhealthy. All the cops are fat, have bushy sideburns, and bad combovers. You can almost smell the stale cigarettes and coffee in the air. And they're always eating these enormous pastrami sandwiches...

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I used to have lower back problems. At least once a year I would end up in bed for 1 to 3 days. I now do yoga, and these spells have thankfully ceased.

I should have known Doug Payne would have a Groove Merchan discography! I've gone to his website for so much other stuff...Thanks Magnificent!