The Retrieval Label

[Late]

Retrieval's recently been reissuing their catalog, and the above are just some of the gems re-seeing the light of day. Discs on Retrieval are relatively affordable, and I think their work (remastering, notes, packaging) rivals similar other labels such as Jazz Oracle, Hep, Frog, Timeless, etc.

Other fans? Don't miss the Elizalde!

[jazzbo]

I've got almost the entire catalog either on cd or lp. Fantastic music!

[J.A.W.]

I only have the King Oliver set. After quite some time I recently listened to it again and found it lifeless, as if a lot of noise reduction was applied. Pity, as the music is great. I've never heard any of their other releases.

Edited September 3, 2006 by J.A.W.

[J.A.W.]

Here are a few comments on a couple of Retrieval sets

[jazzbo]

Well, I'm not going to pee in the cornflakes. . . . Retrieval I think uses the lp production tapes a lot and they may seem a little duller than some of R. T.'s later work. I still haven't found a version of the Oliver material that really sounds better to me. I've had about three different cd versions, and a few lps and I kept the Retrieval.

[J.A.W.]

Well, I'm not going to pee in the cornflakes. . . .

As long as they're your own cornflakes...

[jazzbo]

Yes, good advice to follow.

[JSngry]

"Peeing in the cornflakes? Hey, go for it!"

"I do it all the time!"

"It's actually an aphrodisiac!"

"And the combination of urea & corn meal makes for a GREAT organic fertilizer!"

"Careful though, overconsumption does carry the risk of harmful side-effects!"

[Late]

I actually had Wheat Chex this morning, so I guess I'm safe.

I agree that remastering results (and of course personal impressions) are going to vary widely with this type of music, but three that I would recommend with little trepidation are:

1. Fred Elizalde & His Anglo-American Band (some spectacular Adrian Rollini on this).

2. Piron's New Orleans Orchestra

3. Spike Hughes & His Negro Orchestra (never mind Hughes, it's Benny Carter that's great on this one).

I'm not bothered by the sound on the Jelly Roll set, but that's probably because I haven't heard many other editions. I actually haven't heard the King Oliver set on Retrieval, but want to. The Penguin Guide gives the NORK set their crown, but that's another one (in the Retrieval configuration) I haven't heard. The Ted Lewis and Jack Hylton sets, while perhaps muscially less engaging, are a lot of fun — they're music to put on when you want to smile.

[kh1958]

I only have the Jabbo Smith so far--nice sound and great trumpet playing

[Clunky]

There's a Luis Russell set (2CD) , very good sound and great music- Pops Foster and Red Allen a.o

[Kalo]

Spike Hughes & His Negro Orchestra (never mind Hughes, it's Benny Carter that's great on this one).

The CD version I have is called Spike Hughes & Benny Carter. Great disc with very good sound. And besides Carter, there's also Coleman Hawkins, Chu Berry, Dickie Wells, and Sid Catlett...

I have two other retrievals: Spirits of Rhythm (Leo Watson!), and The Boswell Sisters Airshots and Rarities 1930 - 1935. Wouldn't want to be without either one.

The other two you mentioned sound well worth pursuing, Late.

[LAL]

Don't forget the Freddie Keppard!

[Late]

I actually just listened to that one yesterday — Hot Tamale Man!

No one can laugh through a horn like Mr. Keppard.

[Late]

Listening to the Jacky Hylton right now. This disc gets better and better with each spin. The trumpet player, whoever he is, is doing his best Bix! (I guess I should go check the liners.)

Is the newly reissued NORK set available anywhere? I've looked around online and have come up empty so far. That's the next Retrieval that I'm purchasing.

[Chuck Nessa]

Jacky?

[Late]

Oops: typo.

"Jack" Hylton.

But, who knows, maybe his wife called him Jack-y.

[Late]

The 1923-1931 Okeh Hot Dance Band Recordings disc appears to be a new reissue on Retrieval. Looks tasty.

[John L]

I actually haven't heard the King Oliver set on Retrieval, but want to.

Don't bother. There now exists a far superior alternative:

[J.A.W.]

I actually haven't heard the King Oliver set on Retrieval, but want to.

Don't bother. There now exists a far superior alternative:

Seconded!

[king ubu]

Just ordered the Goldkette from worldsrecords (along with the Arbors of Wild Bill Davison's two strings albums and the Tommy Turrentine Time they have on "sale" for 9 bucks)

Seems the Goldkette just duplicates one cut from the Bix/Tram Mosaic, which I have on my wantlist...

[Late]

Ubu — you're going to like that Bix/Goldkette disc. Tasty, and (to my ears at least) very good sound.

John & Hans — you're absolutely right. I haven't purchased the Archeophone set yet, but intend to — especially after having read so much about it and then listened to sound samples. It's not cheap, though! Have you guys bought anything else on Archeophone? I listened to a ton of sound samples on their site, and liked a LOT. Argh! One disc that I was really taken with was the Arthur Pryor set. That euphonium soloist is excellent. I also dug the "Record of the Week" series.

Archeophone was not on my radar until a month or two ago. I was thinking about starting a thread on that label to ask for recommendations and to hear what others thought ...

[John L]

Late: On Archeophone, I only have the Lost Sounds compilation in addition to the King Oliver. Lost Sounds is a quite interesting and convenient collection of some of the earliest recordings of African Americans. Both the King Oliver and Lost Sounds collections contain very substantial and well researched notes.

[JohnBlutarski]

I actually haven't heard the King Oliver set on Retrieval, but want to.

Don't bother. There now exists a far superior alternative:

Seconded!

which one is this?

I'm not so familiair with this kind of work, but wiling to learn.

[JohnBlutarski]

ahhhh, Archeophone....

I didn't read the following replies...

have to learn to do that before replying myself...

JB