Japan’s Vinyl Junkies Ecstatic Over ‘New Originals’

[mjzee]

Amid the shifting trends and fads that underlie the year-end holiday shopping binge in Japan, one item commands enduring and dogged fascination among retired baby boomers and others by conjuring up an enthusiasm for jazz from decades past.

Jazz fans have taken to buying vinyl Blue Note records that almost exactly re-create original recordings dating back to the 1950s. Vinyl junkies are apparently obsessed with the otherwise obsolete pressing technology that re-creates the original look and feel of the records–even though originals they are not.

More here:

WSJ

[Dan Gould]

How long before someone buys one of these, believing he's getting an actual original pressing?

[JSngry]

And if they're really as good as all that, how much longer until he realizes that he didn't?

[mjzee]

It was great seeing that photo in the WSJ.

[Eric]

It was great seeing that photo in the WSJ.

Absolutely, thanks for providing the link.

I really don't think any of them (or ... us ) believe they are procuring a true original. It is however, a great way to possess something that very nearly replicates what you could never afford - and probably sounds great to boot.

Edited December 27, 2012 by Eric

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If these weren't ~$85 a piece, I might own a couple. If they were closer to $25 a piece, I'd own a bunch.

[colinmce]

Blue Note is considered one of jazz’s most collectible labels. Original copies in mint condition of its 1500 and 4000 series from the 1950s and 1960s can fetch up to ¥100,000 ($1,180) in Japan,

Ha, that's a steal! Try $6k ...

I wonder if the plant that pressed the jackets is the same that our Mr. Horowich uses?