riverrat

New job, decent paycheck $$ QUICKLY passing through my hands...

Sent email RE Turrentine.

I just preordered the 2 Byrds at CD Universe. The price for the Half Note 2 CD set is now $18.89 and the single Free Form CD is $8.39. Ready For Freddie is nowhere to be found.

I should specify what I will be using these for- I plan to make custom CD-Rs from my home music collection primarily for use in car CD players. I'll be using a 48X CD-RW drive that came in my new Dell computer. I think it is a pretty standard issue drive. I understand I'll probably want to burn CD-Rs at a slower rate, and I'm assuming the software will allow me to select tracks to burn from one CD, then swap in a different CD and add more tracks from that one, like I used to do with cassettes. We (my wife and I) are planning to upgrade to car CD players from cassettes (just now getting out of the dark ages in car audio) now that we will have a means to make CD-Rs rather than risk damaging our CDs. (I'm aware that not all car CD players will play CD-Rs, and will be checking to see we buy players that do.) Given all the discussion that some brands seem more prone to errors than others it's worth it to me to spend a little more money on quality blanks if it will reduce these types of hassles in any measurable way. It will take some time to make custom CD-Rs (i.e. my own mixes of tracks) and I would just as soon do it right the first time rather than waste a bunch of time because I used cheap blanks that turn out to skip or not play. I guess I'm assuming that quality blanks might reduce the numbers of coasters. But perhaps there isn't much difference. I guess I'll buy some cheap ones and see how it goes. Let me know if I'm missing anything here (quite likely...).

I've learned an incredible amount from AMG in general, and Yanow's reviews in particular. I always check the AMG rating before I buy a new title. I don't always agree after I've heard the music or religiously follow the ratings as a buying guide, but as a jazz neophyte with limited $$ to spend I find his reviews indispensable, and more trustworthy (i.e. similar to my tastes) than many others. This is probably due to the fact that I buy primarily mid 1950's-mid 1960's hard bop. Its pretty obvious from his reviews that this is one of Yanow's favored idioms as well. That said, now that I'm expanding into soul-jazz territory a bit, Yanow's reviews are quite a bit less reliable, and even with hard bop artists there are some glaring inconsistencies between the ratings and the number of "stars" given. I agree that AMG should perhaps find a reviewer who sympathizes with soul jazz and can make some distinctions rather than panning just about all of it.

Sorry for the double post, but I thought I'd start a separate thread on this to give it better exposure. (Also posted in the thread about CD-R differences below.) _______________________________________ Well my new computer will be here any day, and I will finally have a CD burner!! I've been reviewing this thread before I buy any blanks. I just did a google search on the Mobile Fidelity "Gold" CD-Rs, and came upon this site that sells products by MAM, formerly Mitsui Advanced Media. Some interesting info there that may help explain why they seem to be better. The website below lists Mitsui "Gold" CD-Rs for $89 per 100, 100 minimum order, and is where I found all this Mitsui propaganda. Not sure if these are the same as Mobile Fidelity's but I'm sure they will be good enough for me. They say "Mitsui" CD-Rs are made in plant in Colorado Springs. Does anyone know if these are the real deal? Are they the same as the way more spendy Mobile Fidelity CD-Rs? Diversified Systems Group "MAM-A CD-R and DVD-R products are consistently recognized as some of the highest quality and most durable recording material available in today’s market. Their products are known for their high strength, remarkable reflectivity, low stress and ideal compatibility. MAM-A is the only CD-R and DVD-R producer that controls all stages of its manufacturing chain. They also hold a worldwide patent on Phthalocyanine dye, used during the recording process to ensure that your information burns accurately. MAM-A has been an industry leader in the production of high quality CD-R and DVD-R since their inception in 1991. Established in the Chiba district in Japan, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc. expanded within five years and in 1996 created Mitsui Advanced Media, Inc, whose sole focus is CD-R and DVD-R manufacturing. MAM-A Inc. was founded in March 1996 for the production and sales of recordable compact discs. Its 50,000 sq. ft. plant is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado where the CD-R media is manufactured in a state-of-the-art clean room environment. The MAM GOLD discs uses Mitsui Chemical's patented dye and has a characteristic gold color. Mitsui Gold CD-R are available in 74 or 80-minute discs and can offer storage life in excess of 300 years. Their Gold Archive-Grade CD-R is the highest quality CD-R that Mitsui offers its customers, providing superior longevity and durability far in excess of the competition. Developed in response to user’s concerns about the longevity of current CD-R products, Mitsui has combined the technology of its patented Phthalocyanine dye with a 24-karat gold reflective layer and strict quality control to produce the highest quality product available. And, as all Mitsui products are manufactured in house, with all materials provided by the company, Mitsui CD-R benefit from a consistency in production and quality control that other CD-R manufacturers cannot equal. Mitsui Phthalocyanine Dye Mitsui Media America, Inc., in their quest to produce the highest quality product for their customers, has developed an innovative new dye that allows for the highest quality recording of your personal data or music files. With their worldwide patent on Phthalocyanine, Mitsui is able to provide recording capabilities that no other CD-R and DVD-R manufacturer can offer. When a CD-R or DVD-R is created, a photosensitive dye layer is incorporated into the product. This layer is then burned by a laser when you “write” to the disc. It is where your data or music is stored, and the cleaner the burn, the higher your accuracy of stored information will be. Phthalocyanine dye burns cleaner than any other dye in the marketplace right now, thus ensuring the best quality available in data recording. Along with this higher quality, Phthalocyanine has the longest lifetime of any photosensitive dye, guaranteeing that your product will be around for at least 100 years (estimated lifetime for Silver CD-R is 100 years; Gold CD-r is 300 years). The dye is also more transparent, contributing to the high reflectivity of Mitsui products. In a comparison of Phthalocyanine, Cyanine and AZO dye in high heat and humidity conditions, Phthalocyanine dye showed a significantly lower number of errors than the other two products. Phthalocyanine is clearly the industry leader in providing accurate data recording at affordable prices."

Well my new computer will be here any day, and I will finally have a CD burner!! I've been reviewing this thread before I buy any blanks. I just did a google search on the Mobile Fidelity "Gold" CD-Rs, and came upon this site that sells products by MAM, formerly Mitsui Advanced Media. Some interesting info there that may help explain why they seem to be better. The website below lists Mitsui "Gold" CD-Rs for $89 per 100, 100 minimum order, and is where I found all this Mitsui propaganda. Not sure if these are the same as Mobile Fidelity's but I'm sure they will be good enough for me. They say "Mitsui" CD-Rs are made in plant in Colorado Springs. Does anyone know if these are the real deal? Are they the same as the way more spendy Mobile Fidelity CD-Rs? Diversified Systems Group "MAM-A CD-R and DVD-R products are consistently recognized as some of the highest quality and most durable recording material available in today’s market. Their products are known for their high strength, remarkable reflectivity, low stress and ideal compatibility. MAM-A is the only CD-R and DVD-R producer that controls all stages of its manufacturing chain. They also hold a worldwide patent on Phthalocyanine dye, used during the recording process to ensure that your information burns accurately. MAM-A has been an industry leader in the production of high quality CD-R and DVD-R since their inception in 1991. Established in the Chiba district in Japan, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc. expanded within five years and in 1996 created Mitsui Advanced Media, Inc, whose sole focus is CD-R and DVD-R manufacturing. MAM-A Inc. was founded in March 1996 for the production and sales of recordable compact discs. Its 50,000 sq. ft. plant is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado where the CD-R media is manufactured in a state-of-the-art clean room environment. The MAM GOLD discs uses Mitsui Chemical's patented dye and has a characteristic gold color. Mitsui Gold CD-R are available in 74 or 80-minute discs and can offer storage life in excess of 300 years. Their Gold Archive-Grade CD-R is the highest quality CD-R that Mitsui offers its customers, providing superior longevity and durability far in excess of the competition. Developed in response to user’s concerns about the longevity of current CD-R products, Mitsui has combined the technology of its patented Phthalocyanine dye with a 24-karat gold reflective layer and strict quality control to produce the highest quality product available. And, as all Mitsui products are manufactured in house, with all materials provided by the company, Mitsui CD-R benefit from a consistency in production and quality control that other CD-R manufacturers cannot equal. Mitsui Phthalocyanine Dye Mitsui Media America, Inc., in their quest to produce the highest quality product for their customers, has developed an innovative new dye that allows for the highest quality recording of your personal data or music files. With their worldwide patent on Phthalocyanine, Mitsui is able to provide recording capabilities that no other CD-R and DVD-R manufacturer can offer. When a CD-R or DVD-R is created, a photosensitive dye layer is incorporated into the product. This layer is then burned by a laser when you “write” to the disc. It is where your data or music is stored, and the cleaner the burn, the higher your accuracy of stored information will be. Phthalocyanine dye burns cleaner than any other dye in the marketplace right now, thus ensuring the best quality available in data recording. Along with this higher quality, Phthalocyanine has the longest lifetime of any photosensitive dye, guaranteeing that your product will be around for at least 100 years (estimated lifetime for Silver CD-R is 100 years; Gold CD-r is 300 years). The dye is also more transparent, contributing to the high reflectivity of Mitsui products. In a comparison of Phthalocyanine, Cyanine and AZO dye in high heat and humidity conditions, Phthalocyanine dye showed a significantly lower number of errors than the other two products. Phthalocyanine is clearly the industry leader in providing accurate data recording at affordable prices."

Yes this a uniformly excellent session. CD Connection still has the OOP US version with the 2 extra tracks ($13.75). Well worth picking up. CD Connection

Thanks folks!

1967 live session. Sounds interesting...

Here's another smokin' deal: Smokin Deal

I think the point is that it has just been released as a Connoisseur, so it seems odd to release it again a few months later as an RVG.

The track "Tanya" a Donald Byrd penned tune from One Flight Up is perhaps my favorite by Dexter- 18 minutes of bliss. Great extended solos by Dex and Byrd. I was surprised to see that this one is apparently OOP. Half.com still has it though.

Thanks for the responses folks. I guess I'll stick with my box set discs for now, and pick up new music instead.

I'm thinking of joining BMG again, and saw that they have "Go" and "Our Man in Paris" RVGs. I have the 6 CDs from the Dexter box set (promos I picked up for a song, without the box or booklet) , and the sound quality is actually pretty good on those. Are the RVGs a significant improvement soundwise?

Well give me a link. Since we seem to live in separate realities politically, I take some cheer in the fact that there is something we appear to agree on. Least common denominators of human nature and all that... Sensitive new age leftist enviro pinko that I am, I don't want to lose too much sleep imagining you ensconced in some palatial Washington area loft in the depths of depression.

I agree with conn on this (although our political views differ). There are plenty of in print Mobleys that are better than this one, IMO.

..when it came out in the last batch of Connoisseurs. At least my search didn't turn up anything. I am really enjoying this session, loose and swingy in the style of the twilight of Blue Note's "golden age".

What can you experts tell me about this box set on vinyl I found at a second hand store last year? It appears to be an original release, and in very nice shape. Genius of Art Tatum 2, Vols 6-10, Clef Records #MGC-2002-5. The set is packaged in a Mosaic-style box and includes an envelope with black and white photos of Tatum. Any info on what this might be worth would be appreciated. Make me an offer. Thanks!

What can you experts tell me about this box set on vinyl I found at a second hand store last year? It appears to be an original release, and in very nice shape. Genius of Art Tatum 2, Vols 6-10, Clef Records #MGC-2002-5. The set is packaged in a Mosaic-style box and includes an envelope with black and white photos of Tatum. Any info on what this might be worth would be appreciated. Make me an offer. Thanks!

$125 for Tina Brooks "Back to the Tracks" Japan import: Expensive Tina Brooks

I'd have to say Blakey's "Meet You At The Jazz Corner of the World"- not because of the music, which is excellent, but the sound quality makes this one almost unlistenable, even on the RVG. I'm not sure why they bothered to re-release this one, especially since it is a more expensive 2-disc set.

Yes, Kevin, thanks for posting. I have missed your periodic "insider" info on upcoming BN releases.

Spun this one for the first time in awhile, and remembered what a great set it is. W/ Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Walter Davis Jr. on piano for a couple tracks (Bobby Timmons on the others) & Jymie Merritt. An entire session of Wayne Shorter compositions, recorded in 1961 when the Messengers were at the height of their powers. "Ping Pong" is probably my favorite track, but the whole disc is really solid. The regular Blue Note album cover crew art musta been on vacation though. Not released until 1970 (!!?) which may explain the cheesy cover art. Any other thoughts on this session?

I disliked the mini-lp's at first too, they are definitely a PIA to remove from and replace in the sleeve, compared to CDs in jewel cases. But they have grown on me- the exact replica of lp's are kind of nifty, and they sure do take up less space on my CD shelves. This is becoming more and more of an issue. I constructed a home-made unit last winter that hold about 800 CDs(the nicest piece of furniture I've ever made, which isn't saying much actually) and it is almost full.