Quality of non-Blue Note King pressings

[Daniel A]

The quality of King pressings of Blue Note titles have been discussed previously. But how are King pressings of releases from other labels? I have a few, but not enough to have an informed opinion.

[paul secor]

All of the non-BN King pressings that I have and can think of are top notch.

[sidewinder]

I have quite a few Pacific Jazz and UA on King. Sound is excellent, can't think of any exceptions.

[tomatamot]

All of the non-BN King pressings that I have and can think of are top notch.

For me too.

[clifford_thornton]

Same here... though just because it's Japanese doesn't mean it's a crisp pressing!

[paul secor]

Recently listened to Phineas Newborn Jr.'s Harlem Blues on Japanese Contemporary. Didn't realize until I was refiling it that it was pressed by King. Very fine pressing and (more importantly) sound.

[spinlps]

What's the consensus on the various Japanese pressings? King vs Victor vs Toshiba vs ???

[clifford_thornton]

I don't think Victor pressings are that great until the 1980s. Those that I have from the early to mid '70s are pretty crappy. Toshiba has been good although my only experience is with more recent (1980s-present) issues. Kenwood manufactured Trio records and those often sound wonderful. Warner/Pioneer pressings are also real nice in my experience. They did a fine job on their Atlantic titles.

Makes me want to knock off early and listen to some Japanese jazz albums!