Q: But does this mean a complete analogue chain, or simply transfer of the tapes to digital and then cutting from these digital masters? Like the 75th anniversary pressings. A: Kevin Gray masters direct from analog master tapes whenever an analog source is available. Q: I also think it would be helpful if you guys could be clear on all releases about the source, the mastering engineer, and the chain (i.e. all analog chain or analog tapes to digital then vinyl). A: Kevin Gray masters direct from analog master tapes whenever an analog source is available. C'mon, that's clear as day. You have to be willfully cynical to read that in context and keep doubting.
I'll just point you here as this is my take (but stated with more elegance). Again, if someone can tell me the 80th Anniversary albums are definitively cut AAA, please do so. I'd be pleased.
Lol, I do not think that's clear as day. Clear as day is a sticker on the cover (ala Tone Poet, Music Matters, Analogue Productions) that states it is AAA. I think it's just wishful thinking on your part.
LOL, The sticker on neither Tone Poet nor Music Matters says AAA. In fact, they say exactly the wording BN has said about the 80 series.
I want Kevin Gray on camera cutting the lacquers directly from tapes, holding two forms of ID, and his grandmother in the room to ID him.
For anyone who doesn't spot the reference: Celebrity Trial Jury Selection - Uncensored - Chappelle's Show (Video Clip) | Comedy Central (it's vulgar and probably NSFW). "For all I know, that piss was digital."
Call me a fool, but wouldn't all pre-70's recordings have to be mastered, at least once, from the original analog tapes? No, wait, they were probably secretly recorded in digital in some underground cave in Tunisia
Exactly. When they say "mastered from", it's doesn't really mean too much. It was actually Rhino who's been doing their hype stickers right for a long time;
You can flat transfer the tape to files and do the mastering in the digital domain. Hence, “digitally remastered”
I’m with you, just as long as it’s analog. Digital vinyl is a non-starter for me, not that I have anything against digital because I’d be perfectly happy if they were to put out a new CD series that isn’t on CD-R. I’m skeptical that would ever happen though. Regardless, with the news that Kevin Gray is cutting the 80th series in analog from the master tapes where possible, I have renewed excitement over this series. Looks like some good variety here. I was checking out the Reuben Wilson and Bobbi Humphrey this morning and was completely into those grooves.
The 80th Anniversary CD release is well underway in Japan. Does anyone know if the Japanese have 80th vinyl releases as well? I was there not too long ago and didn't see any evidence of a vinyl campaign. Sure would be great though!
Yeah, I heard about those but getting them shipped from Japan looks pricey and I’m sort of a cheapskate when it comes to extra things like that. I love Music Matters records, for example, but I only have ones that I could still get for the original prices and am unwilling to buy any that have had extra tacked onto the original price, even if it’s only an extra $10 or $15. I’m weird like that, I guess.
I’m excited for July, I put on the Reuben Wilson again and this is fantastic. I really liked the Bobbi Humphrey and I’m going to check out the Lonnie Smith shortly as well.
Biggest wildcard here is Optimal. A very good plant before, now half the time they make toilet-grade pressings. Hopefully they get it together for this series.
I've long since given up expecting anything of value/substance from BN...but I'll settle for a nice 80th Anniversary poster. My 60th anniversay poster is starting to fade.
Yeah you are right, aside from licensing arguably the best jazz reissue series ever in Music Matters and then producing similar product w Tone Poet, both of which offer state of the art beautifully packaged product combined with arguably the best sounding reissues ever on vinyl by the top cutting engineer Kevin Gray , not much at all....