paulfromcamden
Baffled
Thanks for the bump Graham. I didn't pick up any of these at the time but have been tempted recently when I've seen them in the racks. I had no idea idea it was such a minefield!
Essentially keep to EU pressings if you can, as most EU batches pressed by Optimal. Pity the series never appeared on CD, a sign of the times I guess.
Too bad they didn't do a CD issue of the titles.
There was indeed talk of extending the 75th series beyond the 100 titles, but apart from an additional batch or two that included the Sam Rivers title, to the best of my knowledge there has been nothing since. Pity really, I was hoping for Andrew! and Compulsion! - two less popular titles but brilliant music. And shamefully we never did see any Herbie Nichols. I get the feeling that maybe this series didn't sell as well as anticipated.
I'd agree it's the dynamic range of the drums that really sets the MMs apart, especially when Elvin Jones is involved.
Just listening to Herbie's 'Inventions and Dimensions' (streaming; I don't have a vinyl copy). This is another one I wish MM had done on 33rpm. It's precisely the kind of album I don't want to have to keep turning over.
Paul, they are well worth snapping up for those without any Herbie Nichols in their jazz lives. I have the 90's box which sound excellent, these may be even better.
There is an online petition to try to get Music Matters to continue with the Blue Note reissues that has had a bit of press coverage, but given the cost and complexity of these sort of licensing arrangements I'm not sure it's likely to succeed.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/takeaction/991/002/449/
I have this Japanese vinyl issue combining vols 1 & 2 on a single disc.
Was pointing out for the benefit of other board members