JR Monterose: "The Message" and "In Action"

[Late]

The Sinatra Society of Japan has issued new DSD remasters of Monterose's The Message and In Action. They're in the mini-LP format, and are the best-sounding reissues of these classic albums I've heard. The catalog numbers are:

XQAM 1622 - The Message

XQAM 1616 - In Action

I don't know exactly how or why the Sinatra Society (of Japan) is reissuing these, but I'm glad they did. The obi on In Action notes "JR Monterose Estate" — which means ... I don't know. Original source material? Legal permission?

The Message especially sounds great. And the packaging beautifully replicates, down to the glossy cover, the original vinyl sleeve (though I've never actually seen a copy of the original LP). A note — there was an earlier (2005) Japanese mini-LP version of this album, put out by Jazzbank, that should be avoided at all costs. It sounded worse (to me) than the Fresh Sound issue.

Just a heads-up for those that love these records and have (like myself, unfortunately) sound-upgrade-itis. Both are safe purchases, and very much (in my opinion) worth re-purchasing for the new transfer.

And — yes! — In Action has the original black-and-white cover. Very nice.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Late

[JSngry]

Got a link for a good seller that's not CD Japan? I'll do them if I need to, no issues, just a little pricey, but want options if there are any.

However, per CD Japan:

Note:This is an import edition (manufactured outside of Japan) released in Japan with an OBI.

So is there the same thing available that is not a Japanese import that is an import to Japan? :crazy:

[J.A.W.]

Late,

Does it say on the CD inserts where it was manufactured?

[JSngry]

SSJ has been doing some work...

Instrumental: http://www.sinatrajapan.com/ssj_presents_instrumental.html

Vocal: http://www.sinatrajapan.com/ssj_presents_vocal.html

New productions: http://www.sinatrajapan.com/ssj_presents_newrec.html

LPs: http://www.sinatrajapan.com/ssj_presents_lp.html

Some of these I've seen through Dusty Groove, some not.

[Chuck Nessa]

The reissue of In Action should say licensed from Bainbridge or its successors if legit, I would think.

[clifford_thornton]

I have some crappy non-Fresh Sound LP (semi-recent) of "The Message" and would like to get something that sounds better. Might this be it? The original is a bit out of my price range...

The Japanese heavy-vinyl LP of "In Action" that I've got is a nice, legitimate repressing - sounds great and musically wonderful.

[etherbored]

i'm not familiar with 'in action', but from what i gather, recommended?

[sonnymax]

SSJ has also reissued these two titles as digital downloads. While it remains to be heard how much improvement the DSD remastering offers in a lossy format, they are reasonably priced: The Message $6.93; In Action $5.94.

[clifford_thornton]

i'm not familiar with 'in action', but from what i gather, recommended?

It's excellent. Features JR as the only horn and the trio of drummer Joe Abodeely, pianist Dale Oehler and bassist Gary Allen - all based in the Quad Cities at the time. Monterose had a stand at the Tender Trap in Cedar Rapids for almost a year, I believe, in 1964 - Chuck probably knows more about this.

[Chuck Nessa]

The band were all living in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City at the time. The original label was based in the Quad Cities. I knew all the participants well, with the exception of Gary Allen - only met him a couple of times. After his stay at the Tender Trap JR moved to Iowa City and played constantly at a beer hall called Little Bills. This lasted for at least a year. I learned a lot about the "jazz life" hanging out with JR at that time.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

i'm not familiar with 'in action', but from what i gather, recommended?

It's excellent. Features JR as the only horn and the trio of drummer Joe Abodeely, pianist Dale Oehler and bassist Gary Allen - all based in the Quad Cities at the time. Monterose had a stand at the Tender Trap in Cedar Rapids for almost a year, I believe, in 1964 - Chuck probably knows more about this.

If you wind up paying big bucks for this, be aware that it's only about 33 minutes long. It's a fine 33 minutes for sure.

[Late]

Late,

Does it say on the CD inserts where it was manufactured?

Both obi's clearly state "Made in Japan." (I'll have to check the inserts to see if they say the same.) Under "SSJ, Inc." at the bottom of each obi it says "BounDEE by SSNW." I don't know what that means.

The price is 2625¥. I purchased The Message from CD Japan with a small (return customer) discount, and In Action from Dusty Groove with a store credit.

[sidewinder]

I have some crappy non-Fresh Sound LP (semi-recent) of "The Message" and would like to get something that sounds better. Might this be it? The original is a bit out of my price range...

I have that reissue LP too. Didn't think it sounded too bad - put will have to re-aquaint to check (it's a while since I've spun it). Was pleased to get hold of it for around a tenner, in any form. Only ever seen one copy (on a late lamented site ) of that Jaro International. Mono in a stereo sleeve I think ! (or was it stereo in a mono sleeve..)

Edited May 14, 2013 by sidewinder

[etherbored]

after sampling 'in action', it's so langud and beautiful i don't see how i can live without it now that i know it exists. in a way, i find the title a little misleading. i mean, there's action to be sure, but it's a disciplined beauty. i don't think a download will do. i previously assumed from its title that it was live, but it sounds like a studio date.

how long did this quartet play together, chuck? any stories to flesh out this period of jr's playing is appreciated.

as a footnote, i'm not new to jr by any means, having had his blue note debut and 'the message' for many years.

Edited May 14, 2013 by etherbored

[David Ayers]

'In Action' appeared on Spotify last year under the label 'JR Monterose Estate'.

[ejp626]

Almost certain that I had The Message on CD. It didn't strike me as terrible mastering, but perhaps I just didn't know what I was missing...

If they sell the downloads to Canadian IP addresses, I might go that direction, since I don't believe I've ever heard "In Action."

[colinmce]

Nice slice of Iowa jazz history, thanks Chuck.

Do you recall where Little Bills was?

[Chuck Nessa]

Nice slice of Iowa jazz history, thanks Chuck.

Do you recall where Little Bills was?

Best I can recall it was on either Dubuque or Linn, south of Washington. It was on the west side of the street.

[Head Man]

It's about time I had a CD copy of "In Action", so... I've ordered one from CDJapan.

Now, what to do with my vinyl copy on Studio 4?

[sonnymax]

...If they sell the downloads to Canadian IP addresses, I might go that direction, since I don't believe I've ever heard "In Action."

Also available on iTunes.

[etherbored]

It's about time I had a CD copy of "In Action", so... I've ordered one from CDJapan.

Now, what to do with my vinyl copy on Studio 4?

...an original pressing?

[Head Man]

It's about time I had a CD copy of "In Action", so... I've ordered one from CDJapan.

Now, what to do with my vinyl copy on Studio 4?

...an original pressing?

I'm no expert but it has a red label with the Studio 4 logo on it and a number of XCTV-97116/7. Is that an original?

[Big Beat Steve]

It's about time I had a CD copy of "In Action", so... I've ordered one from CDJapan.

Now, what to do with my vinyl copy on Studio 4?

...an original pressing?

I'm no expert but it has a red label with the Studio 4 logo on it and a number of XCTV-97116/7. Is that an original?

And no VSOP 1 indication anywhere?

I have a VSOP facsimile reissue with the original Studio 4 cover art and red label and it says VSOP in several places on the cover and label, so no mistaking there. The numbers you indicate figure on my reissue too and seem to be the matrix numbers for side 1/2. But wouldn't these be uncommonly complicated matrix numbers for such tiny labels of that era? Were there several reissues, maybe?

A question to the experts re- "The Message":

How does the Xanadu vinyl reissue (Xanadu 126) hold up soundwise compared to the original or other reissues? I have no intention of forsaking my vinyl (it sounds quite decent to me) but am just curious ..

Edited May 15, 2013 by Big Beat Steve

[Chuck Nessa]

It's about time I had a CD copy of "In Action", so... I've ordered one from CDJapan.

Now, what to do with my vinyl copy on Studio 4?

...an original pressing?

I'm no expert but it has a red label with the Studio 4 logo on it and a number of XCTV-97116/7. Is that an original?

And no VSOP 1 indication anywhere?

I have a VSOP facsimile reissue with the original Studio 4 cover art and red label and it says VSOP in several places on the cover and label, so no mistaking there. The numbers you indicate figure on my reissue too and seem to be the matrix numbers for side 1/2. But wouldn't these be uncommonly complicated matrix numbers for such tiny labels of that era? Were there several reissues, maybe?

The Studio 4 originals were pressed by RCA's custom pressing arm. The "complicated matrix numbers" might have been assigned by RCA in their Indianapolis plant, though that number looks more like a Columbia matrix number to me.

Edited May 15, 2013 by Chuck Nessa

[clifford_thornton]

ORIGINAL COPY OF J.R. Monterose in action +the Joe Abodeely trio Studio 4 high fidelity jazz series , made in Studio 4 Records, P.O. Box 814, Rock Island, Illinois US 1964 , SS100, original press , SUPER RARE , Limited copies pressed. Etchings are SIDE 1 XCTV 97116 1 A SIDE 2 XCTV 97117 1 A

Can't figure out whether the original was a deep groove pressing or not. No mention of that tidbit in any archived auctions.