Music Matters Definitive Blue Note 45 RPM and 33 & 1/3 RPM vinyl series (pt7)

Wow, never in a million years for me. I buy records to listen to them, not stare at the jacket seams.

 

Same. I have gotten a few records in the mail with seam splits. They never go back. I will also buy a discounted record any day of the weak with small dings or whatever as long as the record is perfect.

That said, in the case of a $90 record, I think it should come perfect and that if it doesn't there should be a replacement jacket. No questions asked.

 

for $90 the jacket should be perfect as well as the record.

otherwise ill wait til these pop up in BNC series and get all 3 for the price of 1

 

Yeah I agree, but unfortunately MMJ knows they have the best product in town. And regardless of their customer service quality, anything they put out will sell out almost immediately. They also know they could take back a seam split return and sell it elsewhere for 2-3x what the first customer bought it for. Not sure if they actually do that, but undoubtedly they are aware they could.

I like the jackets, but I’d buy every single MMJ in my collection even if they came in plain white jackets. They are just that good.

 

I stumbled upon an original pressing of Odyssey of Iska and enjoyed it more than I'd expected. I'd definitely recommend picking it up for anyone who likes some of the moody jazz happening in late 60s. I think it'd be a good Tone Poet candidate, too, because of how quiet and subtle it can be.

 

Agreed. Fantastic album.

Also, for anyone who hasn't yet, take a nice puff, drink, or just get in that perfect mindset even without outside sources and put on Emanon. That album really blew me away.

 

you dont have the best product in town if you have defective product. Touting stoughton jackets and having the best jackets ever, and they arrive with seam splits, and you refuse to replace them, then you dont even stand behind your supposed best product.

 

To each their own. The market would disagree with you. As do my ears. Also seam splits are not really “defective”, or even the fault of MMJ.

But again, I’m in this for the music and the audio reproduction. Jackets are of minimal importance to me. YMMV

 

Adams Apple arrived yesterday. But we had a wild night of non-stop lightning, went on for hours, unplugged my system rather than risk catastrophic surge.

Hopefully tonight will be calm.

 

Just played A Night in Tunisia. Incredible. I don't like paying this much for an album but the cost was not on my mind as I was listening, that's for sure. I hope those waiting for their copies receive them soon.

 

I doubt MMJ will make it to 2023.
It was once a good product/company.

 

Still a great product. The “company” is hit and miss. Overall, they’ve treated me very well, but the consistency in their approach is lacking. But it’s been that way for years.

 

I kinda bailed on them for their inconsistent approach to customer care years ago. I do have many titles, purchased both new and used, and I enjoy all of them.

 

Oh, I am not sure about that.... the way vinyl is these days. Can you imagine if they did the Zeppelin Stuff from the original Master tapes? they could sell them for at least 150.00 a pop, maybe more LOL. people would pay for them no doubt about it.

 

I really hope MMJ does what they did for Blue Note to another label. The whole package. Audio quality and presentation. I’d be in for sure.

 

Riverside would be the Ultimate imo. Think about it.

Monk - Brilliant Corners
Monk - Monks Music
Wynton Kelly - Kelly Blue
Kenny Drew - Trio
Bobby Timmons - This Here is Bobby Timmons
John Lee Hooker - Thats My Story
Elvin Jones - Elvin
Odetta - Odetta and the Blues
Lee Morgan - Take Twelve
Bill Evan - Waltz for Debbie
Bill Evans - SundayVillage Vanguard
Jazz Messengers - Ugetsu
Max Roach - Deeds Not Words
Wes Montgomery - Full House
Sonny Rollins - Freedom Suite

etc.

 

Now THAT would be incredible!

 

Adam’s apple arrived last night. No seam splits or corner dings, flat and super quiet even without a cleaning. MM keep repressing and I’ll keep buying!

 

the thing is now all the labels can do it themselves and they have no reason to license to a 3rd party anymore.

 

Yeah the labels can do it but they aren’t going above and beyond to produce the BEST product possible. ie pressing quality, jackets, mastering etc.

 

universal is doing it with the Tone Poets and Acoustic Sounds Series. Craft can do it when they actually try, and im sure they have something in the pipeline, a Contemporary Recs series is coming looking at rumors. Wouldnt be surprised to see a Prestige or Riverside series kickoff next year too.

maybe they license out for a 45 series, but why do that when they can just reap more money doing it themselves?

 

The labels always “could” do it. They are now just choosing to. I think it’s likely that MMJ is done, but I also imagine some labels will determine the profit from these deluxe audiophile presentations is not worth their trouble. They still make money when they license it out and don’t have to deal with all the other trouble.

 

Speaking of later era Shorter, I would encourage everyone to check out "Masqualero" (track 2) on Footprints Live! (recorded in 2001, released in 2002). The energy on the last two minutes of that track (from about 6:15 on) is incredible. That album has never been on vinyl, but you can stream it everywhere I think.

 

i assume we will see more along the lines of the Acoustic Sounds Series. Its a universal series but its really an AP series but a Universal series and im sure theyre getting more money out of it than a license. And im sure the series is helping AP/AS/QRP as welll. A more partnership than a straight license do whatever like 10 years ago

 

I think this will be how it all plays out too. The labels may let the boutique labels handle the 45rpm editions as they are even more niche, but we will see how it all unfolds.