Chess reissues from Japan, December 2013.

Just to clarify, the comparison above was with the Howlin' Wolf Chess Box not the Hip-O Select.
But just did a quick compare with the Hip-O Select set - I actually prefer it overall to the Chess Box (which I find a bit "thin" sounding). However, the new Japanese releases I still think are better - far warmer/smoother sounding with no loss of detail or dynamics.

 

Another comparison - "The best of Muddy Waters" compared to tracks on Hip-o "Hoochie Coochie Man", the Japanese cd sounds a lot better. Far fuller/smoother again although some tracks like Rolling Stone (audible hiss) and I Can't Be Satisfied are obviously not great sounding anyway (I know these aren't on the Hip-o set but I have numerous other discs that contain them).

Japan cd is not as good as my Speakers Corner LP however.

 

It'

It's just a shame that with one of the CDs the end of the album has been cut off. I'm really surprised nobody seems bothered by that.

 

which cd are you talking about?

 

Chess reissues from Japan, December 2013.

 

I'm no expert, but the Howling Wolf Rocking Chair CD from this series sounds pretty darn good from what I can tell. It doesn't sound that the end of the album has been cut off. So he must be talking about a different album.

Edit: I see now that he is speaking about the "Howlin Wolf Album".

 

Although I do not find the SQ of the Muddy, and Walter Hip-O boxes bad, I ordered the "Best of" japanese 2013 reemastered CDs to check them following your impressions as posted. Also Etta James Tell Mama, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Willimson's The Real Folk Blues and L. Fulson.

 

Yes, The "Howlin' Wolf Album", UICY 75960. The final track cuts dead about 25 seconds before it should fade to a close. I can't begin to guess how that's happened or why it's been ignored by those responsible.

It's a real shame because the mastering itself sounds very good.

 

More titles to be released in the series in August.
With the new CDJapan website it's impossible to post a working link.
Most of the titles are "common" yet there are a few CDs recently unavailable.

 

These?

• Fathers And Sons [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  1000yen
  CAD 10.53
  
  • August 27, 2014
  • Pre-order
  Limited Edition
• Sings Big Bill [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  CD AlbumSings Big Bill [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  1000yen
  CAD 10.53
  
  • August 27, 2014
  • Pre-order
  Limited Edition
• Can't Get No Grinding [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  CD AlbumCan't Get No Grinding [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  1000yen
  CAD 10.53
  
  • August 27, 2014
  • Pre-order
  Limited Edition
• Unk In Funk [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  CD AlbumUnk In Funk [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  1000yen
  CAD 10.53
  
  • August 27, 2014
  • Pre-order
  Limited Edition
• Folk Singer [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  CD AlbumFolk Singer [Limited Release]
  Muddy Waters
  1000yen
  CAD 10.53
  
  • August 27, 2014
  • Pre-order
  Limited Edition

 

Yes, and many more - I think there are at least 50 CDs scheduled for release.

 

How's the dynamic range on these releases?

 

The honorable DR values for the "Best of Muddy Waters" UICY-75949 CD from these series:

foobar2000 1.2.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2014-06-25 21:11:35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Muddy Waters / The Best Of Muddy Waters [UICY-75949]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR12 -4.35 dB -19.90 dB 2:53 01-I Just Want To Make Love To You
DR13 -2.94 dB -18.11 dB 2:43 02-Long Distance Call
DR13 -2.61 dB -19.32 dB 2:53 03-Louisiana Blues
DR14 -1.39 dB -19.55 dB 3:24 04-Honey Bee
DR11 -5.70 dB -18.60 dB 3:09 05-Rollin' Stone
DR11 -3.47 dB -18.53 dB 3:05 06-I'm Ready
DR11 -4.41 dB -18.81 dB 2:53 07-Hoochie Coochie Man
DR11 -4.23 dB -18.37 dB 2:58 08-Show Moves Me
DR13 -3.77 dB -20.45 dB 3:05 09-I Want You To Love Me
DR12 -5.12 dB -19.15 dB 3:23 10-Standing Around Crying
DR11 -3.69 dB -18.12 dB 3:16 11-Still A Fool
DR12 -5.09 dB -18.38 dB 2:43 12-I Can't Be Satisfied
DR11 -1.33 dB -15.51 dB 3:01 13-Rollin' Stone (Alternative Take)
DR13 -1.51 dB -18.10 dB 2:50 14-Hoochie Coochie Man (Alternative Take)
DR11 -2.55 dB -16.92 dB 3:00 15-Rollin' And Tumblin' (Part 1)
DR9 -0.60 dB -12.08 dB 2:34 16-Rollin' And Tumblin' (Part 2)
DR13 -0.60 dB -16.33 dB 3:19 17-Baby Please Don't Go
DR15 -0.19 dB -18.18 dB 2:58 18-Mannish Boy
DR15 -0.33 dB -17.69 dB 2:25 19-Look What You've Done
DR11 -2.00 dB -15.13 dB 5:08 20-Got My Mojo Workin' (Part 2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 20
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 892 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

...and Sonny Boy Williamson's "The Real Folk Blues" UICY-75963:

foobar2000 1.2.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2014-06-25 21:23:52

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Sonny Boy Williamson / The Real Folk Blues [UICY-75963]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR11 -1.69 dB -14.58 dB 2:52 01-One Way Out
DR11 -1.76 dB -14.03 dB 2:59 02-Too Young to Die
DR11 -4.60 dB -19.15 dB 2:45 03-Trust Me Baby
DR11 -1.45 dB -14.10 dB 2:00 04-Checkin' Up on My Baby
DR13 0.00 dB -15.30 dB 2:59 05-Sad to Be Alone
DR13 -1.24 dB -15.71 dB 2:28 06-Got to Move
DR15 -0.01 dB -17.18 dB 2:39 07-Bring It On Home
DR12 -1.94 dB -15.96 dB 2:35 08-Down Child
DR10 -2.20 dB -14.43 dB 2:36 09-Peach Tree
DR12 -3.70 dB -17.41 dB 2:47 10-Dissatisfied
DR10 -4.06 dB -16.76 dB 2:20 11-That's All I Want
DR11 -3.98 dB -17.58 dB 2:49 12-Too Old to Think
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 12
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 585 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

Howlin' Wolf / Moanin' At Moonlight [UICY-75957]:

foobar2000 1.2.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
log date: 2014-06-25 21:30:41

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Howlin' Wolf / Moanin' At Moonlight [UICY-75957]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR7 -4.33 dB -13.97 dB 3:00 01-Moanin' At Midnight
DR8 -3.38 dB -13.21 dB 2:45 02-How Many More Years
DR12 0.00 dB -16.27 dB 3:11 03-Smokestack Lightnin'
DR11 -2.09 dB -16.09 dB 2:58 04-Baby How Long
DR12 -2.04 dB -16.40 dB 3:01 05-No Place To Go
DR11 -0.78 dB -15.93 dB 2:19 06-All Night Boogie
DR13 -0.96 dB -16.23 dB 2:56 07-Evil
DR11 0.00 dB -12.66 dB 3:03 08-I'm Leavin' You
DR7 -5.29 dB -14.75 dB 2:54 09-Moanin' For My Baby
DR9 -3.41 dB -17.04 dB 2:55 10-I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
DR12 -0.97 dB -16.48 dB 2:52 11-Forty Four
DR12 0.00 dB -17.43 dB 2:28 12-Somebody In My Home
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 12
Official DR value: DR10

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 699 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================================================

 

Thanks a lot, these look pretty decent. I decided to order a few titles to give them a try.

 

Yes, they sound very good. Nice series.

 

Received three titles from this series today.

2x Little Milton
The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions

Nice dynamics. DR12 to DR13.

I am happy with them. Will get a few more.

 

Looks like there are more of these in the pipeline...

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/products?q=howlin'+wolf

 

Looks like another 50 shall be released in the end of August.

 

Yessir, Ordered some of the Soul/ R&B titles

Etta, Little Milton, Billy Stewart, Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces, Dave "Baby" Cortez cool stuff!
Love Chess R&B

 

I think THAT Billy Stewart's album is not available elsewhere on CD.

 

It isn't - I just love all his stuff I sold them in the record store when they were new, I wish all his original Lp's would come out in Japan.

And the Chess Compilation "Souled Out" which is also one of my favorites

And the "Jo Ann Garrett" Chess album

 

Ordered the following from this second lot:

UICY-76563

[CD] Tommy Tucker / Hi-Heel Sneakers [Limited Release]



UICY-76566

[CD] Billy Stewart / I Do Love You [Limited Release]



UICY-76567

[CD] Paul Gayten / Chess King Of New Orleans [Limited Release]
August 27, 2014 Processed 1000 yen
UICY-76572

[CD] V.A. / Drop Down Mama [Limited Release]



UICY-76574

[CD] V.A. / Folk Festival Of The Blues [Limited Release]

 

I have received 7 CDs from August'2014 batch:


Muddy Waters - Unk In Funk (1974) [Limited Release]


Etta James - Sings Funk (1970) [Limited Release]


Phil Upchurch - Upchurch (1969) [Limited Release]


Phil Upchurch - The Way I Feel (1969) [Limited Release]


Little Milton - Sings Big Blues (1966) [Limited Release]

Little Milton - If Walls Could Talk (1970) [Limited Release]

Shades Of Brown - Shades Of Brown (1970)[Limited Release]

Most of these previously released, however Etta and Upchurch 1st time on CD (AFAIK).
I'm quite happy with the sound, except for Etta. I have nothing to compare, so I can't tell if the muddiness and distortion on Etta Sings Funk comes from original master or it is the result of this particular digital transfer.
(I had to delete the last 2 covers, to match forum engine restrictions).