Well, looks like I'll be opting for the Music On Vinyl versions of Dark Magus and Agharta should it come to that. The MoV Miles Smiles and In A Silent Way LPs I've got are pretty good.
I would bet that that's more or less exactly what happens. This is all a complete fabrication on my part, but I don't think it stretches credulity to imagine a scenario like this: 4MWB: We want to license <some album> to release on vinyl Record company: We don't have a high-res master of that album. 4MWB: Doesn't matter, we'll rip it from a CD. Here's a check. Record Company: You are my friend.
I just read this conversation while imagining Michael Cohen as the 4MWB voice, and HAL as the record company voice.
Regarding their 2007 Wire reissues: According to Mr. Blackham, EMI didn't trust him or other outside mastering engineers with original tapes when these were mastered a few years ago (they've since changed their corporate minds), so Mr. Blackham was sent 24 bit DAT copies of the master tapes. He sent back "redbook" resolution data files on DVD, so basically, George Horn cut from CD quality files at best, or from a CD at worst. Read more at 1979 Art/Punk Classic Reissued By 4 Men With Beards! (mastering info updated)
In their defense, Fire Records did a very nice 2 LP + 2 CD Moles compilation back in 2014 called "Flashbacks and Dream Sequences" that sounds very good and has excellent packaging and artwork. Some of the tracks on the bonus CD were mastered from vinyl but that is due to their complete scarcity and didn't really bother me. They also did the Cardinal reissue which I don't own but it gets good reviews.
I have a few 4mwb releases of some Funkadelic records. Decent packaging, and okay enough pressings, but yeah, lackluster mastering from digital sources makes them kind of a bummer.
I have a copy of The Lemonheads “It’s a shame about Ray” released by Plain, thought it sounded better than the CD and the vinyl was quiet enough. Overall happy with the purchase. Tend to stay away from 4MWB due to all the bad press here, maybe someone should start a list of all their good pressings for everyone.
I doubt that reissue labels are licensing certain types or resolution of audio sources. Unless a label was doing a straight analogue reissue wouldn't they just ask the label for a high resolution source since it's all digital anyway? Like with movie reissues, my guess is it really depends on what's available is what they get.
I realize I'm in the minority, but I have a copy of The Gilded Palace of Sin (Flying Burrito Brothers) on the 4 Men label, and it sounds great compared to the cd.
Just popped the seal on the 4 Men reissue of Jorge Ben's Fôrça Bruta and I think it sounds fine, no sibilance and smooth higher end.
Finally opened Miles Davis' Agharta today, I'd left it sealed for about 4 years. Time had come, it was all set. A 4MWB pressing, got it at Amoeba LA. The packaging is definitely great but I'm real bummed now, and it's not exactly because of bad pressing/surface noise. Unfortunately, I got TWO "RECORD 1" discs instead of the obvious Records 1 and 2! Just when I was about to change discs, that's what I notice. I mean, what the heck. I haven't read through the whole thread, but did anybody here have a similar issue?
Buddy, go buy the recent Intervention pressing. Your mind will be blown and your ears will thank you. You’re welcome
I just Googled this label as I recently purchased a number of Wilson Picket LPs. Most of them, with the exception of one, were reissues by Music on Vinyl. All of the sounded good. Good dynamic range, good vinyl, as one would expect from that reputable label. As I was looking through Amazon and Discogs at the various offerings of Picket's LPs, I noticed that Hey Jude is currently available only by Four Men With Beards. I'm not are what's up with the label name, but that is not really my concern. I read through a number of comments here which clearly called into question the legitimacy of this label in terms of audio quality. This LP is the only one of theirs that I have, so I can't compare it to any others. I looked on the back of the jacket and it states that they are under license from Atlantic to produce this record, and the LP was manufactured by Rhino, and pressed in the USA, so I'm not sure where all of the negative commentary is coming from. As far as the dynamic range, it sounds as good as any of the others that I have, either original pressings or by Music on Vinyl. They're a US based company, so unlike Wax Time or any of the EU aftermarket companies, they would not get away with violating copy write law and simply start pressing their LPs from CDs, as many of you have suggested. So, what's with the bashing of this label? They cannot be operating under the radar. They are licensed to reproduce titles owned by the original manufacturer, so they have access to original source tapes. What's with the bashing?
I like almost everything about 4MWB, the jacket quality, the flat and quiet pressings. Except they are known, and they themselves admit, to sometimes use CDs as their vinyl source. I have a 4MWB Big Star Radio City. I thought it was ok. Then I picked up an Ardent re-press, and realized it wasn't ok. It was a rip-off. Product for the masses who have substandard setups.
I have few of their pressings that I bought a way back, when I didn't know or cared who they were. While there's nothing wrong with those records (pressings) themselves. The S.Q on them is an utter rubbish. Just to name the few: Iggy Pop "Lust for Life" and Funkadelic "Maggot Brain" Regards
I believe the overall consensus is that they are bad, not illegal. As with all things audio, we do not know bad until we hear good.
I have the 4 Beards 180 gram lp , and the AM re-mastered cd, with Burrito Delux. Sure, the 4 Men sounds thin, but the AM is brickwalled, a bit. It depends on the tune.
A few years ago I bought the 4MWB issue of John Cale Paris, 1919. I had no prior knowledge of the label but can say it was the worst sounding lp I've ever owned. Barely audible. It was swiftly returned!
