Clunky

I got the first of these two sets the other day , like you say proto-mosaics. very nice, . Didn't realise there was a Volume 2 , I'll look out for it Released in the US only Clunky - so any copy over here would be an import. Vol 1 was released in the UK as well as the US. I bought Vol 1 after one of the BBC Radio 2 jazz programmes ('Sounds of Jazz' I think) played one of the Roy Porter tracks with Dolphy. got Black California Vol 2 the other day, nice addition

Yes, I was going to post that Josh Berman's "Old Idea" belongs on the Best of 2009 list. Very fine indeed, great CD

How's the sound on the Esquire bop records? Can you you hear the cymbals? I remember reading years ago that European drummers had a harder time picking up the early bebop style than other instrumentalists because they couldn't really tell what was going on from the records - the cymbals were in the same range as the surface hiss. That might be BS, but I guess it made an impression on me - I remember that 35 years later. The Esquires sound very good, generally giving more presence and dynamic punch to the horns especially , no difficulty hearing anything. I was more than a little surprised how good the Esquire Dials in particular sounded. The Esquire Prestiges sounded so much better than any CD transfers I've heard ( largely Proper boxsets -- which is perhaps hardly surprising). The copies I got had been very well cared for. Bought new by the first owner , to dealer to me. So that helps too

Last weekend picked up seven Esquire 78s of Prestige, Cupol and Dial sessions by Fats & Miles, Chubby and Charlie respectively also around 10 Vocalion/ Brunswick/ Parlophone UK, Duke Ellington 78s all in lovely condition. On approval simply to see what it sounded like I got a copy of "Sonny Thompson" The Fish (Esquire)- rather harsh and crude early R&B with some shattering piano playing and over-driven sax.

Sammy Price - Fire- better than AMG would lead you to believe.

Project do a TT that plays 33/45/78, Rega do the P78 which plays only 78s Get a second hand Lenco 75 like I did recently, sounds very good indeed . They are very heavy and the original arm is rubbish , replace it with an inexpensive Linn arm ( Basik or LVV etc) and you're done. I use an Ortofon cart. that takes interchangeable stylii for 78 and 33/45s. Works extremely well. Lot cheaper and probably better than a project.

I got my replacement last week

I'd put off ordering the Okeh 2CD set in the (incorrect) belief that it would be part of the upcoming Mosaic, now that I see that the Okeh sides aren't included in the Mosaic I've order them at a very reasonable cost. Any views on the transfers found on Okeh 2Cd set. I have a few of the titles on 78 shellacs (UK issues ) which sound just fine. I really love early Ellington ......early meaning 1924 to 1974

Will titles from the late 20s be in the box , things such as "Hot and Bothered" or are these not owned by Sony???

I'd be interested to see what's covered by this set as it sounds as if it'll duplicate a fair number of the tracks found on Shaw 5 CD RCA set "Portrait" ( which also has very few vocals ) and the Hep 1944/1945 3 CD sets. Not sure I really need more of this type of material.

Very sad day , I will spin something old and something newer later today to celebrate his great talent.

I'd really hate to see this place go. Something sent.

It's from April 14 1949 with Yusef Lateef tenor sax, issued on RCA Victor I guess you have an HMV edition ?

Landed (via customs ) Braxton & Armstrong Mosaic sets, a mother load of black box, spun first 2 discs of each set , sound great, the Braxton being no where near as out there as I imagined - very accessible. The Satch is beautiful and I am surprised that this material ever needed defending. Even the most banal tracks have wonderful solos by Louis that lift them to heavenly heights. On the vinyl front I stumbled across a cheap copy of Sgt Pepper's in Mono ( 1st UK edition) in excellent condition, and a few ex Dial/ Blue Star Howard McGhee/ Charlie Parker 78s (HMV/ Esquire UK issues)- all sounding excellent and a lot crisper than the CD transfers I have. The Pepper is interesting to compare it with the stereo version that I know by heart. Subtle differences that really do stand out when you know the original stereo version well.

Minor haul at weekend of some nice titles including ( all £2 each- not bad IMO , as all in excellent condition) KoKo- Duke Ellington (HMV UK) I'm coming Virginia- Frankie T. (Parlophone UK) Body and Soul - Hawk ( HMV UK)

Alan's LP listing was excellent too, I managed to snag a test pressing of Eddie Costa's Newport LP (UK Columbia 2*single sided LPs) which I'm really pleased about, but there was loads of very interesting/obscure material on his list with great prices too.

Great set, in my Mosaic top 40 for certain..... ok what's not to like it's wonderful music , which is mainly sublime.....

and Himself, no idea if there ever was a Riverside cover like this. This is the first UK issue of this recording AFAIK

London Uk version of The Unique

What are the Tyler CDs you have, Chuck? Mid Western Drifter Folly Fun Magic Music Live at Sweet Basil - vol 1 Live at Sweet Basil - vol 2 Voyage From Jericho - reissue of Ak-Ba lp was BLEUREGARD the same as Label Bleu ????

I'd go for this too.

Fantastic music , I guess it's jazz but with a health dose of blues in its soul. Sad and joyous , wonderfully recorded.

Great CD, what I've never got is a 1990's band playing 50/60 s music with cover art with determinately 20s look. No doubt the new Hat reissue will eschew such nonsense and have a nice picture of a lamp post or two plus a few clouds ( Paris ) in place of the lovely Lulu.

last night an unexpected and poorly advertised treat. I saw the ICP orchestra in all its glory, at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall, apparent anarchy and immense beauty in the same bar, Tristan Honsinger was stunning as he veered from total freedom to the purest classical sound and back - , Han Bennink wild as ever, Mary Oliver- not a name I knew was highly expressive on violin/viola, amazing group interplay, highly enjoyable.

I goofed in attempting to record Jazz on 3 last night my memory card was full in my DAB radio ......