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Collecting Blue Note Jazz

I have decide to start building up a collection of Blue Note Jazz LPs, of which I have very few. What is the best way to go on what can be a sizeable investment. I am willing to spend for great music/sound quality, but cost is a factor, especially when originals are so expensive. I see many options, of which standouts include:
1. New Music Matters 45 RPM reissues.
2. Original Pressings ($$$)
3. Affordable but relatively early reissues (e.g. Blue Label, Liberty Pressings..maybe from the 70's or even early 1980s)
4. Just buy SACDs, since the LPs will not sound that great anyway.
The website www.dccblowout.com touts hot stampers. As I understand it, this site recommends shunning recent reissues and buying perhaps five or more original LPs or reissues (e.g. Blue Label) and keep the best sounding of the lot, while selling the rest. I've noticed that none of the Blue Note LPs I have so far offer sound quality on par with my LPs by the Contemporary Records label. Any recommendations? I have a pretty decent system for both LP and digital. Any advice would be much appreciated - Mark
mcmprov

Showing 6 responses by mcmprov

mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
Well, I just received and played my first two reissues, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger and Tina Brooks / True Blue. Well, so far, these are the best sounding two sounding of my modest blue note collection...also quiet, and the LP covers are great, especially Tina Brooks. I'll experiment a little more with some earlier pressings, but so far looks like these reissues are a sensible way to go. Too bad, some great titles Andrew Hill/Point of Departure, Herbie Nichols, and Jutta Hipp don't seem to be available in these recent reissue series...oops...I have to stop writing and change sides on the record player...
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
I am familiar with Arthur Salvatore's site, a great suggestion for LPs with top notch sound quality, and equipment recommendations as well. He has a ton of recommendations, but leans heavily towards classical, with just a handful of mostly offbeat Jazz titles, and no Blue Notes.
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
Well, the new music matters appear to have enough support here to be well worth checking out a few. I guess I'll end up trying multiple approaches, including some originals and some of the new 45 rpm reissues. On the mono vs. stereo issue, do mono versions still have an advantage when using a stereo cartridge? I know a mono cartridge should be more quiet...is there any additional advantage in sound quality? I have a VPI Scout and Shelter 501. Shelter also makes a 501 mono. So, I could buy an extra wand and a mono cartridge (when I have some extra $$$). On ebay, I'm finding that originals in VG+ condition go for $50+. In fact, my local record stores typically just post such items on ebay rather than offering for sale to walk in customers. These responses are very helpful. Keep the suggestions coming. Thanks!
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
I've bought a few hundred LPs from ebay, mostly rated VG+. If not satisfied, I just ask for a refund. However, this is very inconvenient, and happens too frequently. Also, if someone accepts the return, I don't give them bad feedback, since I'm grateful to get my money back (ex shipping). There does not seem to be anyway around this issue. Not enough inventory on ebay is rated NM and I've even had problems with LPs rated NM. On the other hand, I've had many good buying experiences on ebay as well. I live in the Boston area, which has many great used vinyl shops. However, the employees tell me that most of the best LPs go straight to ebay...as walk in customer typical don't pay more than $30 per LP. This issue is relevant for this thread, because I guess many of the best original blue notes are probably sold on ebay.
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
I only aspire to own 500-600 albums in total, all of which I listen to enough to know pretty well, but not too well. I want to focus on getting the best sounding LP, with great music. If they don't sound great, might as well get a much more convenient digital version. Beyond this number, I think LPs get unwieldly to organize, store, and maintain quality control (for sound quality and condition). With Blue Notes, it might theoretically be easier to find a "hot stamper", since fewer LPs pressed in the first place and maybe superior quality control. Anyway, I'm just getting started with this BN collection. I'll experience a bit with all of the approaches and report back my findings. Even if I pick up a few sonic duds along the way, the music on this label seems maintain a very high level of quality.
mcmprov OP
57 posts
 
Jaybo,
Haven't you been able to find some LPs with extraordinary fidelity? I only have about 700 LPs or so, and I certainly have some with fantastic, standout sound quality. If this is the case with you, why not allow for the possibility that your great sounding records could be hot stampers? Specifically, I tried getting multiple copies of Dionne Warwick Scepter LPs and Joan Armatrading and found some with better sound quality (irrespective of ticks and pops). Sticking with the topic of Blue Notes, I have been collecting more. As many posters have suggested, even some of the blue label reissues sound good...in some cases, I guess 80-90% of they way towards MM reissues, for a lot less $$$. I do have a moderately priced hot stamper on the way, my first, Dexter Gordon...One Flight Up. I'll let you know what I think. Anyway, I'm trying multiple approaches, and enjoying the music while I experiment.
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