Hey Kids, Have You Heard The News? MOSAIC's IN TROUBLE!!!

[crisp]

As I say in the other "death of Mosaic" thread, if production of the Teddy Wilson set is far enough down the line it may make financial sense to see it through. I'm optimistic enough to believe that we could see a few more new sets beyond that one for the same reason. 

[paul secor]

I get the feeling that there are a few people here who will be disappointed if Mosaic doesn't fold.

Edited August 2, 2017 by paul secor

[Scott Dolan]

I get the feeling some people here are unable to read for comprehension, and simply take the lazy way out by projection. 

[JSngry]

I'll be disappointed if the fold, but I won't be surprised.

To be honest, though, as attractive as the potential Teddy Wilson set is, I'm not sure if I'll be in a place to pounce on its price point, a little too much justification to relevant/impacted parties needed.

A well-done Bill Barron set, though...I could justify that one to anybody, including god.

[gmonahan]

2 hours ago, JSngry said:

I'll be disappointed if the fold, but I won't be surprised.

To be honest, though, as attractive as the potential Teddy Wilson set is, I'm not sure if I'll be in a place to pounce on its price point, a little too much justification to relevant/impacted parties needed.

A well-done Bill Barron set, though...I could justify that one to anybody, including god.

The Hodges Verves, damn it. The Hodges Verves!!

 

 

gregmo

Edited August 2, 2017 by gmonahan

[Ed S]

5 hours ago, sidewinder said:

Hard to know what to make of all this. On the one hand the Benedetti set is being phased out and 'bluenotesound' is putting all those sets on ebay. On the other hand there is the encouraging statement on the Teddy Wilson and those backorder sets being repressed.  Very mixed messages.

Regarding the re-pressing of sets, here's my take.

 The announcement a couple of months ago caused an avalanche of sales which capialized the re-pressing of sets with sufficient orders placed against their back ordered status to justify limited runs of those sets.  I do believe that Mosaic realizes that just closing up shop with so many sets on back order would be a pretty shitty thing to do, as so many of their clients depend on the last chance process to help them decide when to pick up a set.  

My guess is that those sets had enough orders to justify a run of 250 sets. The sets that remain after back orders are filled will be allowed to dwindle and go through the last chance process.

My only conjecture related to the Goodman and Turrentine sets is that they did not or have not made the cut insofar as demand goes relative to their backordered status.  I know that until the "JPJ Pressure Group " formed, I was unaware that ordering the set while back ordered could impact a re-pressing decision.  That set was originally thought to be doubtful.  Then, as orders piled up, I think they changed their mind.  

Personally, if I had questions related to their status, I would contact Scott.  I did relative to the JPJ and Mingus and was told they were not likely.  Several weeks later, Scott emailed me to let me know that the decision was made to re-press them.  

Still hoping for the Wilson and a trickle of Mosaic sets going forward.

[J.A.W.]

Scott told me a while ago that the Teddy Wilson set is scheduled for release early next year (2018).

[Quasimado]

Latest Newsletter (8/2) says the Benedetti Bird is running low. Don't they own that?   Q.

[John Tapscott]

1 hour ago, Quasimado said:

Latest Newsletter (8/2) says the Benedetti Bird is running low. Don't they own that?   Q.

They may own it, but  it doesn't mean they have to keep it in print indefinitely. Once the sets they currently have in stock run out, they won't be repressing it. That's my guess, anyway. 

[NotAJazzSnob]

Another data point mentioned above strikes me as relevant … prices realized for many open-bid sets on eBay are about half the average “buy it now” asking prices.  And the used supply of Mosaic sets clusters around near-mint condition; these were bought and treated almost as heirlooms.  The demand curve is dropping, and the supply curve rising as older CD collectors downsize (or leave the building). 

In addition to swimming against the non-physical stream, Mosaic is competing with their past output.  Those still buying have their pick of much of the back catalogue at pricing similar to the in-print.

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, John Tapscott said:

They may own it, but  it doesn't mean they have to keep it in print indefinitely. Once the sets they currently have in stock run out, they won't be repressing it. That's my guess, anyway. 

That is definitely the "no big deal" interpretation - they've offered it damn near forever now, surelyy had a surge of orders when the worrisome news came out, and have made a reasonable determination that at this time its reached market saturation and there aren't enough future orders to justify a re-stock order.

[Scott Dolan]

Perhaps, but you have to admit the timing is curious. If they did simply determine they'd reached market saturation, why now?

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, Scott Dolan said:

Perhaps, but you have to admit the timing is curious. If they did simply determine they'd reached market saturation, why now?

Because they don't have the working capital to justify a re-stock of what has been for a long time a slow seller. And because the issue never came up before because stock never fell this low.

[Scott Dolan]

All fair points. 

[Brad]

Based on Ghost's article in the other thread, the future looks bleak other than in the short term.  I better get the MJQ set pretty soon, which is running low anyway.  

[sidewinder]

The MJQ set is nice - very happy with the sound on that set.

[Brad]

Thanks.  Will be ordering it morning. 

[medjuck]

Well some good came from the Mosaic panic:  I wanted to help out and buy a couple of sets so when  several of you highly  recommended Henry Threadgill so I took your suggestion and am I ever happy I did.  This is a great music. (Though I have to admit I'm not nuts about the session that was released here for the first time-- but otherwise I live it. ) 

[ejp626]

I finally, finally picked up my copies of the Basie/Young and Beehive sets (bought when the alarming email circulated).  Just starting to listen to them now.  Some really great music obviously. 

I will note that on my Beehive set the middle CD in each case has the teeth of death (basically worse than I've seen before).  So be warned.  Even knowing this is an issue and trying to shave the teeth down, I'm still pretty sure I'll end up cracking one of the discs.  I plan to rip the box, and then will probably never take it out again.

[Sandman]

Thanks for letting us know about the Beehive box CD teeth problem.  I have already had a problem with the Earl Hines set.  What is the best recommendation for how to "shave down" the teeth?  I have tried to use a nail clipper to poke out or bend some of the teeth but there must be a better way.  Any advice appreciated!

[David Ayers]

I still say just push down on the centre. 

[Big Beat Steve]

1 hour ago, Sandman said:

Thanks for letting us know about the Beehive box CD teeth problem.  I have already had a problem with the Earl Hines set.  What is the best recommendation for how to "shave down" the teeth?  I have tried to use a nail clipper to poke out or bend some of the teeth but there must be a better way.  Any advice appreciated!

I am not sure I can visualize the problem accurately because I do not have these boxes (or other Mosaics incriminated for this before) but I have enocuntered similar problems with other boxes and jewel cases before where I had to press down like mad on the teeth (i.e. the center) with my thumb and at the same time forcibly pull up the CD to release it, bending it dangerously in the process (fearing indeed it might break). My method (if several removal and replacing operations did not improve matters): After having removed the CD I took some fine-grain sanding paper, held it with the tips of three fingers and rubbed down the teeth by rotating the sanding paper around the teeth. At certain intervals I checked impoved "ease" of removal using an old CD (or CD-R) that didn't matter. When the removal force was acceptable I cleaned up everything and put the actual CD back where it belonged.

 

Edited August 19, 2017 by Big Beat Steve

[Sandman]

Thanks!  I will visit the hardware store and find some fine-grain sanding paper.  This sounds better than what I have been doing (essentially breaking one or two of the teeth).

[Rooster_Ties]

I recently got the Bee-Hive set too, and although I was a little trepidatious about doing so, I did break off two (2) teeth on each of those inside spindels, with a pair of needle nose pliars, and it works like a charm, perfectly.

Two teeth alone still grip like a mofo, but it's WAY easier to get the discs out. With the needle nose, it took about 2-3 minutes total to fix all four boxes. No regrets, and quite as easy solution. 

[Big Beat Steve]

1 hour ago, Sandman said:

Thanks!  I will visit the hardware store and find some fine-grain sanding paper.  This sounds better than what I have been doing (essentially breaking one or two of the teeth).

It worked for me (you have to go easy on it and clean everything well afterwards) but if Rooster_Ties manged to accomplish the desired result just by breaking two of the individual teeth on this very same set then this might be the easier route for you in this particular case.