riverrat

Nice date. Surprised to see it still sitting out there. I'll take and flip it if you can't find a buyer...but that is sort of lame so someone buy it already!!

This certainly seemed to be the case at various times in the past. When I listed my copy here, I tried to give a competitive price. Since then, the cheapest copies on Amazon have ranged from $10 to $18. I encourage people interested in this set, which is very much worth owning, to monitor Amazon and half.com. I believe that sooner or later you will be able to acquire a copy at a reasonable price... e.g. Watkins CD on Amazon **EDIT** to warn that what Amazon is selling is probably a CD-R. That topic has been addressed in some other threads here..

Does anybody know how many times the BN catalog has been reissued out of Japan in the form of jewel-cased CD's? (I'm specifying only because I never went in for the mini-LP's myself). I've even lost track of how many times the term "BN Works" has been used. Back when I started buying Japanese discs, I also bought a few from the BN "CD Treasury" series, which had a blue and yellow OBI, and a different prefix and numbering system (CJ28-5XXX instead of "TOCJ"). I guess those weren't by Toshiba...? Those seem like they would be relatively hard to find now... although I have no idea of they're desirable. That's a good question. To complicate matters, there is the newer "TOCJ24" series, which seem to be different remasters than either the CJ28-5XXX series you mention or the TOCJ Works series. And now there is the upcoming budget priced TOCJ-8XXX series. It's still unclear whether those will be rebadged Works remasters, JRVGs in jewel cases, TOCJ24s or yet another different remaster. Regarding the desirability of the CJ28-5XXX discs, it is interesting that there's strong demand for early CD pressings of many titles, including jazz, over on the Steve Hoffman forum, especially first CD pressings. You might be surprised how much money some early pressings go for there. Some of this seems to be that early some CDs were not pressed in large numbers are becoming more "collectible" as the CD era wanes. There's also the perception, probably accurate, that early CDs were made to a higher standard, especially ones made in Japan and Germany where all early CDs were made before there were pressing plants in the USA. But part of this demand, maybe most of it, is related to dislike of newer re-remasters in a style with lots of compression and loudness added. There are a lot of people there with nice audio systems who strongly prefer the earlier remasters which they say closer approximate the original sessions tapes and/or vinyl. My understanding is that the newer remasters are intended to sound better on MP3 players and the like. Probably the same reason many people don't like the RVG Blue Note series. For me, the jury is still out- some of these remasters don't sound better or worse, just different. But as my audio system has improved, I'm starting to come around to liking the earlier remasters myself. And the TOCJ Works versions are usually the best to my ears, when I've had the chance to compare.

PM's all responded to. Thanks to those who've purchased. Lots of good ones left! rr

Hi All. CDs for sale. Good stuff!! PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING to continental USA addresses, in a bubble pack mailer (jewel case CDs) or a cardboard mailer (mini-lp CDs). Shipping to other areas at cost. Minimum overseas order is 3 CDs- sorry I just do not have the time to spend standing in line at the post office and doing customs paperwork to mail individual discs overseas. Multiple orders: For 2 CDs, subtract $1, for 3 CDs subtract $2, etc. Maximum discount is $5. Unless otherwise noted, all CDs and inserts are in mint or near mint condition and jewel cases are in excellent condition without cracks. Payment by paypal (preferred) money order or personal check drawn on US bank (will wait to clear). Post here first, then send me a PM please. I’ve tried to beat the lowest online prices I can find, including shipping, by at least $3. I will post these on other sites in a few days, and eventually with online sellers, but wanted to give the gang here first chance if anyone is interested. Regular issue Blue Note CDs Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw: Double Take. 1986. Long OOP. Blue Note CDP-7 46294 2. CD made in Japan for US market. Disc has two small marks, otherwise mint. Tested and plays perfectly. Booklet has tab compression dimples. $14 *SOLD* Sonny Rollins – Newk’s Time. 1990 issue, blue and silver CD, BMG version. Disc and inserts near mint, jewel case has a few light scuffs. $4.ON HOLD The Three Sounds – Standards. 1998 issue, OOP. Blue and white CD. Disc has quite a few light marks, tested and plays perfectly. Inserts and case in excellent condition. $14. *SOLD* Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Buhaina’s Delight. 1992 issue, blue and silver CD. Disc and inserts are mint, case has some light scuffing. $5ON HOLD Domestic RVG 24-bit Blue Note CDs. Unless otherwise noted, these CDs are in near mint to mint condition. JJ Johnson – Eminent JJ Johnson Vol 1 Promo stamp on disc. $6 *SOLD* Donald Byrd – Slow Drag. $6 Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia Vol 2 (Small cut in spine insert but not in the jewel case, which has been replaced.) $5 Jimmy Smith – Rockin the Boat. BMG version. $5 ON HOLD Jimmy Smith – The Sermon. BMG version. $5 Japan RVG 24-bit Blue Note CDs (JRVGs). Include OBIs in original cellophane wrappers or shrinkwrap. Discs are all in mint or near mint condition, couple of the lp mini-sleeves may have slight, almost imperceptible wear. $14 each, except as noted. TOCJ-9033 Duke Jordan - Flight to Jordan (Very light wear on sleeve.) TOCJ-9217 Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - The Freedom Rider. (Very light wear on sleeve.) TOCJ-9176 Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Mosaic

I'm guessing you are referring to: TOCJ-4274: Tyrone Washington - Natural Essence

I'm curious which of the CDs in this well-regarded reissue series have proven to be the hardest to find. I do not know exactly when they were last reissued, but it appears to have been awhile. I can personally say that Jackie McLean "Demon's Dance" (TOCJ-4345) has been un-findable in my experience. Can't say I've ever seen a copy available at any price. Which other titles seem to be rare in this series?

Thank you Lon. Looks like a nice piece. Consumer confidence is not terribly high around here, so I am likely to stick with my present set-up for now and just jump into PC-based audio in a relatively inexpensive manner for starters. I am also kind of "old-school" in that I like having tone controls, although I also appreciate the ability to bypass them. The Sansui amp is really a great piece, was $1000 when new in 1984. It is much less "colored" than most vintage Sansuis, powerful and clean. And I have a considerable investment in having it recapped- every single electrolytic capacitor has been replaced- all 69 of them! Having said that, I've sometimes considered adding some tubes to the system via a buffer such as the Yaquin unit, which would allow me to experiment fairly inexpensively or at least at less cost than one of the aforementioned tube DACs.

Sansui AU-D11 II integrated amp, circa 1984, completely recapped Sony DVP S9000 ES for SACD playback Sony SCD-C222 ES 5CD changer, playing through an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 DAC (will probably sell this CDP) Denon DCD-1560 CDP Totem Acoustics Sttaf speakers, w/ homebrew biwires Tuners: Marantz 20, Kenwood L-01T, Denon TU-850, Sony ST-A6B (planning to sell some of these, trying to decide which ones) Currently shopping for a USB DAC to set up a PC-based music server- contenders at this point are: Cambridge DAC Magic Musical Fidelity V-DAC or if funds allow, at higher price points.. Music Hall 25.2 Paradisea 3

Shrdlu would you care to comment on which JRVGs you like? I am preparing to unload some of mine, but I have not had the chance to compare many of them to other remasters. And I don't have my main system set up right now; after moving to a smaller house. Your input would be appreciated! FWIW, I have in my notes from old BNBB posts that the first 250+ JRVGs are much narrower stereo than RVGs of the same titles. But starting somewhere around June of 2003, JRVGs and domestic RVGs were made from the same remaster...

Couldn't agree more. I rarely take the time to post negative comments; generally I subscribe to the notion that if you can't say something nice why say anything? But for me this recording went well beyond boring- not just mindnumbingly slow but also atonal, dissonant and irritating to listen to. Ranks among the five worst CD purchases I've ever made. If you think you might like the sound of a cat walking (slowly) back and forth on, or on and off of, a piano, try this CD. Come to think of it, that might sound better- at least the individual notes might be related in some way. Different strokes for different folks of course, but I simply do not understand how this kind of aimless, self indulgent noodling (IMO) qualifies as music. But there are many things in this life that I don't understand, and if some people find this stuff worth listening to, more power to 'em.

Thank you kinuta. I was curious if the Works TOCJ series would be reissued yet again, given its enduring popularity. That would make sense. The lower prices are nice. Here's a list of upcoming TOCJ 8XXX releases that originated from Hiroshi Tanno, copied from the other thread: TOCJ 8501 Coltrane,John(ts)/Blue Train 1100 TOCJ 8502 Adderley,Cannonball(as)/Somethin' Else 1100 TOCJ 8503 Clark,Sonny(p)/Cool Struttin' 1100 TOCJ 8504 Blakey,Art(ds)/And The Jazz Messengers(Moanin') 1100 TOCJ 8505 Hancock,Herbie(p)/Maiden Voyage 1100 TOCJ 8506 Rollins,Sonny(ts)/A Night At The Village Vanguard 1100 TOCJ 8507 Dolphy,Eric(as)/Out To Lunch 1100 TOCJ 8508 Morgan,Lee(tp)/Candy 1100 TOCJ 8509 Mobley,Hank(ts)/Soul Station 1100 TOCJ 8510 Blakey,Art(ds)/A Night At The Birdland Vol.1 1100 TOCJ 8511 Morgan,Lee(tp)/The Sidewinder 1100 TOCJ 8512 Powell,Bud(p)/The Scene Changes 1100 TOCJ 8513 Powell,Bud(p)/The Amzing Vol.1 1100 TOCJ 8514 Blakey,Art(ds)/A Night In Tunisia 1100 TOCJ 8515 Burrell,Kenny(g)/Midnight Blue 1100 TOCJ 8516 Shorter,Wayne(ts)/Speak No Evil 1100 TOCJ 8517 Hancock,Herbie(p)/Empyrean Isles 1100 TOCJ 8518 Hutcherson,Bobby(vib)/Happenings 1100 TOCJ 8519 Hancock,Herbie(p)/Speak Like A Child 1100 TOCJ 8520 Gordon,Dexter(ts)/Gettin' Around 1100 TOCJ 8521 Blakey,Art(ds)/Mosaic 1100 TOCJ 8522 Byrd,Donald(tp)/Fuego 1100 TOCJ 8523 Parlan,Horace(p)/Us Three 1100 TOCJ 8524 Coleman,Ornette(as)/At The Golden Circle Vol.1 1100 TOCJ 8525 Silver,Horace(p)/Blowin' The Blues Away 1100 TOCJ 8526 Mobley,Hank(ts)/Dippin' 1100 TOCJ 8527 Silver,Horace(p)/Song For My Father 1100 TOCJ 8528 McLean,Jackie(as)/Demon's Dance 1100 TOCJ 8529 Rollins,Sonny(ts)/Newk's Time 1100 TOCJ 8530 Rollins,Sonny(ts)/Vol.2 1100 TOCJ 8531 Turrentine,Stanley(ts)/Blue Hour 1100 TOCJ 8532 Brooks,Tina(ts)/True Blue 1100 TOCJ 8533 Morgan,Lee(tp)/Vol.3 1100 TOCJ 8534 Mobley,Hank(ts)/Roll Call 1100 TOCJ 8535 McLean,Jackie(as)/Swing,Swang,Swingin' 1100 TOCJ 8536 Jordan,Duke(p)/Flight To Jordan 1100 TOCJ 8537 Dorham,Kenny(tp)/At The Cafe Bohemia 1100 TOCJ 8538 Gordon,Dexter(ts)/Go 1100 TOCJ 8539 Blakey,Art(ds)/A Night At The Birdland Vol.2 1100 TOCJ 8540 Brown,Clifford(tp)/Memorial Album 1100 TOCJ 8541 Chambers,Paul(b)/Bass On Top 1100 TOCJ 8542 Dorham,Kenny(tp)/Afro Cuban 1100 TOCJ 8543 McLean,Jackie(as)/Let Freedom Ring 1100 TOCJ 8544 Griffin,Johnny(ts)/Introducing 1100 TOCJ 8545 Hancock,Herbie(p)/Takin' Off 1100 TOCJ 8546 Hipp,Jutta(p)/At The Hickory House Vol.1 1100 TOCJ 8547 Smith,Jimmy(or)/Midnight Special 1100 TOCJ 8548 Pearson,Duke(p)/Sweet Honey Bee 1100 TOCJ 8549 Silver,Horace(p)/Horace-Scope 1100 TOCJ 8550 Gordon,Dexter(ts)/Dexter Calling 1100

I posed this question elsewhere, buried in the thread w/o response so trying again here... Is this series based on new remasters, or older remasters that are simply being reissued with different catalog numbers? I think the latter is more likely. Can anyone provide details? e.g.: TOCJ 8501 Coltrane,John(ts)/Blue Train 1100 TOCJ 8502 Adderley,Cannonball(as)/Somethin' Else 1100 TOCJ 8503 Clark,Sonny(p)/Cool Struttin' 1100 TOCJ 8504 Blakey,Art(ds)/And The Jazz Messengers(Moanin') 1100 etc etc

Bumping this up to ask again- what is the story with the TOCJ-8XXX series? As a veteran of the old BNBB and longtime member here, I find it hard to believe that no one cares about these details! Come on all you reissue nerds, do tell! Or has "reissue fatigue" brought us to the point of exhaustion where we no longer care?

I had an RVG of Freddie Redd Shades of Redd that I got from BMG that listed his name as "Freddie Redo" on the CD. I also have two copies of Horace Silver Further Explorations (also from BMG, my original order and also the replacement they sent) that list him as "Horace Smith" on the CD. Perhaps I should list the Silver on eBay as a rare misprint and see if anyone bites...

OK so what is the story with these TOCJ 8000 series? The prices are sure reasonable. Are they renumbered versions of the last 24-bit non RVG remasters? Or something else?

Apologies in advance if any of this is repetitive or already known. Just wanted to share my experience so far in moving to a PC-based sytem. I'm kind of old school, so I stuck to hard wired connections between my computer and stereo equipment. I'm also a cheapskate so I went low budget too. Steps: 1. CDs burned via Exact Audio Copy (EAC) freeware to FLAC files, arranged in folders by artists, then subfolders for each recording. I'll reiterate that proper backup is essential- I'm currently using several WD Mybook external drives up to 1TB in size but should probably upgrade to even more secure means. And I still have, and buy CDs. I'm not into downloads, especially those in any kind of proprietary or lossy format. FLAC downloads show promise. 2. Album art for each recording added with Muvunder Cover software ($15). Helps find art, or you can find/scan your own and drop it in. Automatically tags the art to each album file so music players can see it. There may be ways to automate this process and include it during burning; probably beyond my means to figure out. 3. Playback using Foobar2000- free download music player, highly configurable and a small footprint on computer RAM resources. (If you are tired of being manipulated and controlled by Itunes, and Winamp's heavy footprint on system resources, try Foobar.) 4. Output from Foobar to a USB DAC (USB cable) then into vintage or modern amplification of your choice via standard RCA cables. On older gear just use a tape input. I paid $175 for a used DIY Eden USB DAC. Thoughts and further steps: I think the most bang for the buck is the quality of DAC you choose. So many choices- oversampling or non, tube or SS... I'd like to find a way to make my album art visible in my music files when viewed in the Windows "My Computer" interface, as well as on the music player.

PM sent RE Woody Shaw..

If you are shopping Amazon's second party sellers and you want a particular version or release, this step is essential to avoid frustration later...

I wonder if anyone will bite at that price. I was fortunate enough to have picked up a Spanish "gray market" CD of this, from the series with the blue tinted cover art. I think I like Curtain Call a bit better as well.

XRCD is not new technology, its been out for years. As previously noted, it is simply redbook CD technology with some tweaks and better attention to detail in the manufacturing process. XRCDs play on any CD player and most of them sound really great. I look at it as a chance to hear another remaster of these titles that may more closely approximate high quality analog playback, which the RVG series rarely does. Will I go out an replace all my TOCJ jewel case versions? Nope. Will I replace some titles that I currently only have on RVG? Fairly likely, depending on how much these puppies cost... I passed this info along because I think there is interest here, especially for titles people do NOT already own, it may now be worth it to wait for some of these. Personally I try to strike a balance in my music buying between opportunistic upgrading and picking up new music. Those who think its a waste to spend money on them will certainly not be compelled to buy any, AFAIK. I'm all for releasing stuff that's been in the vaults or not available on CD but that is largely a separate issue. The audiophile labels responsible for these Blue Note SACD/CD hybrids and XRCDs are unlikely to risk the time and money to release obscure titles. I'm sure there are some gems here and there that haven't seen the light of day on CD yet, but I seriously doubt many of them would be cost effective to release on one of these audiophile formats.

Not sure if this has been mentioned here...some clips from an ongoing thread in the Steve Hoffman forum: Joe Harley : "Yes, I have started working with Alan Yoshida (who btw has the same great respect for our host) on a series of 50+ XRCDs of Blue Note. We just finished Hank Mobley's Soul Station and are about to go on next week for another four. Blakey's great Night In Tunisia is in the batting cage. The official announcement hasn't come yet but I can't think of a better way to do it than with Steve's very gracious words. Folk's there's kind of an inside fraternity of mastering engineers who know who is who from an inside respect point of view. Each has their own area of expertise. Steve, Kevin, Alan, Bernie....there are a few others. But these guys are the best of the best, the cream of the crop. To a man, they LOVE the music and desire to make it the best it can be, each in their own way. I'll have more to say about the XRCDs soon. (Here's a hint: All XRCD's are NOT the same!)… We are basically shadowing the Music Matters titles released and unreleased in the XRCD program. So there will be no overlap with the titles that Acoustic Sounds are doing on SACD. I'm excited about this program, for a couple of reasons. Alan Yoshida's test XRCD of Soul Station sounds remarkably good....I'm tempted to say shockingly good. Alan is a fanatic about set up. He spent nearly 3 hours just aligning the tape! Come to think of it Alan is a fanatic about all things sonic. The other reason I'm excited is that we have the opportunity to really bring these great titles to life, to make the best analog and digital versions ever released. To be able to help bring the loves of my musical life to market in both analog and digital versions of the highest order is just thrilling to me."

PM sent RE: Booker Ervin, “Structurally Sound” (Blue Note) [quintet w/ Tolliver, R. Mitchell]

I was pleased to find a "Like New" copy of Woody Shaw Bemsha Swing on half.com for $34.95, from seller known as book_barons. The 2 CD set arrived sealed, apparently new, but without the barcode sticker along the edge of the case. There was good quality color album art and the CDs were nicely printed with the blue & white BN logo, but it white paint went clear to the center hole- no central ring of clear plastic. And the playing surface was bluish tinted- a dead giveaway. A thread here explained that tiny print reading "Manufactured by CreateSpace, Scotts Valley, CA" along the barcode that would prove it was an Amazon CD-R and sure enough, there it was. I contacted the seller and obtained permission to return it. The invoice is from a business called "chilibris" based in CT, but shows that returns go directly to Amazon- they apparently "fulfilled" the order for the seller, who claimed not to have known that they were sending me a CD-R. So, in a nutshell, Amazon's "legal" Blue Note CD-Rs are either dishonestly, or honestly but ignorantly being sold as genuine CDs via third party sellers on half.com. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this Amazon reissue scheme. On the one hand, it is good to have the music remain available and this is a creative business model for doing so for "traditional" CD customers. On the other hand, the either dishonest or, at best, incompetent lack of clarity regarding the fact that these are not genuine CDs is really annoying. I can testify from personal experience that CD-Rs don't last as long and aren't as durable. Besides that, steering clear of "fake" CD-Rs really matters to collectors. Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience to help others avoid being fooled..

And I'll grab the Silver Tokyo Blues.