mjzee

The thread about Sun Ra's 100th birthday mentioned that 21 of his albums have been "remastered for iTunes." The thread linked to a JazzTimes news piece, which itself linked to an Apple document regarding "Mastered for iTunes" (see http://images.apple.com/itunes/mastered-for-itunes/docs/mastered_for_itunes.pdf) The document claims that "Recently, using the most advanced AAC encoder, the iTunes catalog was upgraded to iTunes Plus: a variable bit rate (VBR) 256 kbps AAC encoding format. iTunes AAC encoders are now able to transparently encode high definition audio, creating files that retain the small footprint, portability, and ease of use iTunes is known for. And they sound amazing." Earlier in the document, they claim "you can achieve dynamic range that’s superior to red book audio and a final product that’s virtually indistinguishable from the original recording." In essence, they're claiming that the same album "Mastered for iTunes" and downloaded from the iTunes store will sound better than the same album downloaded from, say, eMusic in 256VBR mp3 format. It would be interesting to test this claim.

Emotiva has a 10% off sale this weekend. Enter code: EMOTIVACLUB at time of purchase and the discount will pop up.

I don't have 2 of the 4 albums on the Coltrane. I went back and forth for a long time as to whether to buy the Paul Chambers Mosaic Select just to get Chambers' Music. So I may get this set; depends on how low the price drops.

I just got the new Howard McGhee Uptown disc. Popping it into my iMac, I find that the track listings are not yet in Gracenote's database (the tracks show as Track 01, Track 02, etc.). I'm now going to enter all the data into iTunes myself. Question: Once I'm done, am I able to upload this data to Gracenote? Has anyone here done it? If so, how is it done?

Prior thread on this box:

I think that then leaves his Atlantic titles...which would make a good boxed set!

I loved her records for Concord, which were much later ('70's - '90's). She had a great sense of swing, unerring taste, and a nice way with a lyric. I haven't paid attention to her earlier stuff; heard the Ellington date once and thought it was pleasant. I wonder whether Mosaic picked this because the material will be revelatory in some way.

Just finished listening to it. Pure pleasure. Just sink into it and enjoy. The program is structured like a concert: before the first track, you hear the band coming onstage, it builds to a climax with Why Was I Born?, and there's a short encore of Don't Stop the Carnival. I liked that the audience was miked up in the mix - it's exciting to hear how they react to Sonny. I liked the bands: Clifton Anderson was fine, and I loved Steve Jordan's contributions - he's really a great, unsung drummer. Peter Bernstein's really good too, there just isn't enough of him on here. All in all, another great release - buy with confidence.

Who else is on it? Never heard of that one! FYI, it's this one: Amazon

And Universal could put out a box set combining his Blue Note and Impulse (and Pablo?) sides.

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if Sony will ever release a box set combining the CTI and Columbia material.

I noticed this in the booklet to Sonny Rollins - Road Shows Vol. 3: Special thanks to Angelo Tordini and Reference Laboratory for the RMC01 cables used in conjunction with the recording and transfer of these digital masters.

But that's OK...Randy California ripped off the Jewish liturgy!

Release date June 30 (see Amazon UK):

Just noticed this at Amazon UK. 4 CD box set, limited edition (1,000 copies), June 23 release date:

This has been noted for sometime. There's even a reference on both Spirit's Wikipedia page and the Wikipedia page for Stairway To Heaven, and both were there before the lawsuit became known: From Spirit's Wikipedia page: They capitalized on the success of their first album with another single, "I Got A Line On You". Released in November 1968, a month before their second album, The Family That Plays Together, it became their biggest hit single, reaching No. 25 on the charts (#28 in Canada). The album matched its success, reaching No. 22. They also went on tour that year with support band Led Zeppelin, who were heavily influenced by Spirit—Led Zeppelin played an extended medley during their early 1969 shows that featured "Fresh Garbage" among other songs, Jimmy Page's use of a theremin has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one that he had mounted to his amplifier,[1] and it is now widely accepted that Page lifted the descending guitar figure from Spirit's instrumental "Taurus" for Led Zeppelin's signature tune "Stairway To Heaven".[2] From the Stairway To Heaven Wikipedia page: Over the years, a number of people have put forth the opinion that the song's introduction, and opening guitar arpeggios, bear a close resemblance to the 1968 instrumental "Taurus" by the group Spirit.[10][21] Zeppelin opened for Spirit in an early American tour, leaving little doubt that Led Zeppelin had heard the Spirit song before "Stairway to Heaven" was written. In the liner notes to the 1996 reissue of Spirit's debut album, songwriter Randy California writes: People always ask me why "Stairway to Heaven" sounds exactly like "Taurus", which was released two years earlier. I know Led Zeppelin also played "Fresh Garbage" in their live set. They opened up for us on their first American tour.[22][23]

Well, y'know, some days he can produce 6 CDs, other days, nothing. Such is the creative muse.

another goodie featured in the "Select"..... This is not included in the Carmell Jones Mosaic Select.

Thanks!

Only 12 CDs???? Maybe there'll be more in a couple of weeks...

Happy birthday!

Amazon just posted more information on the Coltrane package. It sounds interesting: Blue Note Records, the world's most respected and longest-running Jazz label, is being commemorated for its 75th Anniversary throughout 2014 and beyond with a broad range of special releases and events. Blue Note is pleased to announce a new Blue Note Select collection entitled Sideman: Trane's Blue Note Sessions. A collection of the legendary saxophonist's sideman sessions for Blue Note Records from 1956-1957, when Coltrane was a regular member of the Miles Davis Quintet and played with pianist Thelonious Monk. This set, conceived by former Blue Note Records president Bruce Lundvall, marks the first time Coltrane's sideman sessions for Blue Note have been collected in one place; albums include recordings led by Paul Chambers (Chambers' Music, a.k.a. High Step, and Whims of Chambers), Johnny Griffin (A Blowing Session) and Sonny Clark (Sonny's Crib). The entire set will be in original Blue Note mono, with the mono version of Clark's album on CD for the first time. The book-style package includes a 34-page booklet with an essay by author and educator Ashley Kahn, and other elements as noted.

Release date June 10:

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/f218/89608-elvin-jones-vs-ginger-baker.html I remember contemporaneous reports of this concert; it appears Elvin, with his small drum kit, kicked Mr. Baker's ass.

How long is each disc, 40-ish minutes or 70-ish minutes?