Do you have (or have you heard) the Music Inc. album (SES-1971), either on Strata East or Pure Pleasure? I have the PP pressing and it sounds virtually identical to my Charly CD version, which is to say a little flat and boxy (rather than say a big expansive soundstage). I wonder if this is baked in to the original master tape, or whether PP have used a later generation copy? Has anyone heard either of these?
Scratch that - I'm getting completely mixed up! This vinyl does have an improved and more transparent soundstage - I'm listening to it now!
I do not own the Music Inc LP, I have that on 2 different CD versions and they sound great to me so havn’t added the LP. I bought the Bomba Japan CD first but then couldn't pass up the opportunity to get the Tolliver Big Band (its not what the name implies people!) Mosaic Select box for which Music Inc is disc 1 and Impact is disc 2 (also available as a Pure Pleasure reissue LP). I have fingers crossed that Pure Pleasure will eventually add the Strate East titles - Tolliver Live at Slugs vol 1 and 2 and the Live in Tokyo (those 3 albums make up the other Tolliver Mosaic Select box) as well as Sonny Fortune Long Before our Mothers Cried - those 4 are my wishlist!
Forgot to add Clifford Jordan In the World to the Pure Pleasure reissue wish list. Recorded in 1969 but released by Strata East in 1972 just before Glass Bead Games. Fantastic album with an octet, 2 long tracks Vienna and Ouagoudougou as the stars.
The Charles Rouse leader date with Strata East, Two is One is finally out and available after a couple months delay. Got mine at Dusty Groove this week. It’s wonderful, side 1 is a little more funky, side 2 more haunting/spiritual. Another great reissue from Pure Pleasure!
Not Strata East but was reissued by Pure Pleasure records, great album and nice pressing, originally Candid
Massey was a trumpet player and prolific composer who didn't get a lot of recordings under his own name. If you have heard Lee Morgan’s The Rajah album (new Tone Poet is sweet) the opening track is Massey’s - A Pilgrims Funny Farm. Also title track from Taru and Nakatani Suite from Leeway for Morgan. Many used by Shepp - Bakai from Kwanza, Cry of my people title track to name a few. And for McLean on Demon’s Dance - Toyland and Message from Trane. I think most of his work is considered modal which is what I gravitate towards. A good example is the last song from the above posted Blues to Coltrane - Father and Son, which was also on Freddie Hubbard’s Here to Stay.
Some of the Discogs reviews claim that at least one of the Strata East releases from Pure Pleasure was mastered directly from the original vinyl and that the sound is distorted and digital. It was in reference to Harold Vick's Don't Look Back. Is anyone else aware of this?
Part of my Wish list granted, coming soon in June Pure Pleasure is reissuing the Charles Tolliver Strata East albums Live at Slugs 1 and 2. Quartet only live dates with Tolliver, Cowell, Cecil McBee and Jimmy Hopps.
Same. Hard to find this music on any format. I haven't really paid attention to this series before. Are they generally transparent about sources, mastering, etc.? I know Mosaic included this material on the Tolliver select several years back. Hopefully that means good tapes still exist and were available for PP.
I emailed PP the following regarding Slugs 1 & 2: “Are these AAA reissues or is digital used at some stage of the process? Were these pulled from the original masters or a copy?” PP’s response: We only reissue audiophile, analogue reissues, with original master tapes by Ray Staff at Air Mastering studios. I’m wondering if it’s worth seeking out the originals or to go with the Pure Pleasure reissues?
Your odds of finding an original in VG condition in the US for less than $70 is slim. You could buy both new reissues for that. Thanks for the recap of email with PP
I priced it out and the reissues actually run about $55 +/- each when shipping is considered. Even my local shop has them priced similarly for preorder. Do you have a recommendation on where to find these for less? Also, is PP known to be a trusted AAA vinyl producer? They’re marketing and email response seem suspiciously cautious.
I would look at Acoustic Sounds or Elusive Disc who don't have them yet - but show them on their site; they would be less expensive and could be eligible for free shipping depending on the size of your order. I have been purchasing a lot of Pure Pleasure - and regardless of their sources, I find the quality of their pressings and presentation to be excellent. YMMV.
Are you ordering from England? Granted I’m lucky and could take the Blue Line to Dusty Groove today to pick them up, but I can’t believe their shipping would be that high, and $35 each. They still had several of both on the shelf still but the guy said they were going fast.
And agree with Mike on the sound and quality of the pressings fwiw. The one other option for this content is to track down a Charles Tolliver Mosaic Select #20 (which includes the Live at Slugs sessions along with Live in Tokyo). There was one offered in the classifieds here last Christmas and I lost an ebay auction in the final minutes a few months ago, so it does popup occasionally
I’m in the US. Ordering from PP is about $110 for both with shipping. Unfortunately my local shop, Twist & Shout, doesn’t seem to have them other than a $50+ea preorder. I can wait for Acoustic Sounds at the moment. However I may try to be patient and hunt down a nice original.
This does pertain to PP, but more broadly is it conceivable at all that mastering studios in England would ever have access to original tapes from any American label?
The store @Dan Steele mentioned (Dusty Groove in Chicago), has them on sale for $34.99 each at the moment: Charles Tolliver & Music Inc : Live at Slugs Vol 1 (180 gram pressing) (LP, Vinyl record album) Charles Tolliver & Music Inc : Live at Slugs Vol 2 (180 gram pressing) (LP, Vinyl record album)
Nice! I didn’t realize we were talking Chicago. I used to live about 20 minutes up from there. I’m on the fence with the PP reissues. I find I prefer originals unless the reissues are out of this world like Music Matters and Analogue Productions. That AAA chain makes a difference to me when the masters are good.
