I have many very good sounding OJCs. I especially love the original $5.98 obi in the shrink. Recently picked up a mint copy of Chet Baker in New York and, to my ears, it sounds better than the Craft. What’s even cooler is when Fantasy used the leftover heavyweight sleeves for OJC titles. Long live pre barcode OJC!
Can’t argue with that, some of those titles do indeed sound good, I just wish I could tell going in. I know some of those early GH engraved ones that are all analog are supposed to be better but even that doesn’t seem to be consistent.
I don’t have many OJC’s hence I cannot say much about how good they were, but I do think it’s a bit strange that they use the brand of a budget series for a new, relatively expensive, audiophile series. It also seems like they step up significantly compared to the original series when it comes to packaging. On the other hand, the first few hundred titles of the original series have received a lot of praise the last years in places like SH forum. By the way, Kevin Gray has been active since the early 70’s.
Correction at @15:00, based on everything I've heard Kevin Gray has absolutely no issue with cutting the same record more than once. He seems to be happy to cut whatever his clients want as many times as they want it. It's Joe Harley who doesn't want to repeat the titles he did at Music Matters.
Also, Kevin Gray has been cutting since the 70s but it seems he only became well known after he started working with Steve Hoffman, mastering Blue Notes, AP reissues, etc. That started in the 90s I believe.
Very interesting; thanks for that. I suppose it’s incredibly difficult to create a brand for yourself as an audio engineer so I wasn’t aware of him until relatively recently
'Jazz Samba' and 'Songs for Distingue Lovers' are must haves I would say. Billie's version of 'I didn't Know what Time It Was' is just hauntingly superb and Byrd/Getz is a great blend.
The Bill Evans records are definitely a new mastering. AP's 33 cuts from 2008 were mastered by Doug Sax. I found this on discogs. And they can't use the 45 cuts (that SH/KG did) for the new 33. I really like your videos, they're very good, maybe just a couple minutes' research beforehand could help. I'm really looking forward to the Evans records since I don't own either of them. Can't wait!
Great video as usual. I am looking forward to my pre orders: - [ ] Sonny Rollins - Go West! - [ ] Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby - [ ] Bill Evans - Sunday night… - [ ] Curtis Counce - You get more bounce
I found it interesting that you mentioned the opening track on the Workin' album; "It Never Entered My Mind". I have the Analogue Productions 45 version and on my outer protective sleeve I often make notes. I noted when I purchased it several years ago that this particular track could be the most moving trumpet solo piece in jazz history. I'm happy to see that someone else recognized how great it is; maybe it's because we are both trumpet players:)
I bought the ornette Coleman box marked down at Acoustic Sounds so it's like getting one album free. These upcoming releases have a ton of overlap because Craft still sells their lower priced OJCs as well.
Re: Ornette, the only difference between the Ornette Box and the single Ornette releases is the pressing plant (RTI for the box, QRP for the individual releases). Re: Waltz for Debby , Kevin Gray confirmed that he recut the new OJCs. I think you confuse Kevin Gray for Joe Harley re: not wanting to do the same thing twice (MMJs are not repeating for Tone Poets etc).
Hi, interesting thanks for sharing upcoming releases. Agree on the ERC, i am currently comparing my Coltrane with Analogue prestige coltrane, and i start to realize the AP is better 😩... have only 3 ERC but still a lot of money spent... J from Paris.
Great video, but I have to join the others here defending the first OJC series, at least the first two hundred or so titles (which we can be nearly certain are all from tape). I've got about 100 of them and while you're right that the covers are usually flimsy (it was a budget series, after all), the sound is almost always excellent. I'll also admit that the noise floor of the vinyl isn't as quiet as today's best reissues.
My experience hasn’t been great. I tried early on in my collecting and didn’t find them as engaging as originals. More recently I picked up Waltz For Debby and For Lady on OJC. Waltz had a channel cut out in the recording if memory serves and For Lady was just blah. I don’t think it’s a bad series overall, I just think it’s interesting that it’s being dusted off again
@@jazzvinylcollector I'll certainly grant they're often no match for the originals. But as reissues go, except for the quality of the vinyl and the covers, I'd put them up there with anything coming out today cut at 33.
I found an original Bill Evans Sunday at the Village Vanguard (mono) and decided to sell it because, frankly, it goes for 400X what I paid for it. I've put off buying a new one because everyone I see at a reasonable price point is a knock-off or (and) all of them have a b&w cover. It seems kinda silly to not want the black & white cover but the original had an off-white card stock and a maroon-tinted ink and it's gorgeous in person.The b&w one looks really cheap compared to the original cover. Thanks for the heads up.
Haha, yeah I remember when OJCs were 'decent for the price, but there's a lot better out there', now they've mysteriously morphed into 'high end'. I too will be sticking the obi into the gatefold.😏I have an '87 OJC 'Workin' (Discogs high $110.00 wtf?) that I'll compare to the new iteration and let you know. Great vid as always!
Regarding the Bill Evans 45RPM "Waltz for Debby" and "Live at Village Vanguard" pressings you have. I think Chad used the same metalwork (for your box set) as the 2002 pressings I bought that were mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. I have signed inserts from both of them since I was a subscriber to the series back then. On the OJC's that Kevin just cut, he said in a recent video that his current setup is better than what he was using back when some of these titles were done several years ago by him.
Oh, very interesting. I can’t wait to hear these new ones. I’m just worried about having too many copies of the same album and not spinning some of them
I love the Kefs. I know some think they aren’t “big” or efficient enough, and while it’s true they aren’t efficient speakers, I think they work really well for my listening space and have no problem driving them with a McIntosh amplifier. Just yesterday, I found a MC 2205 amp so I’m going to be swapping in/out my 2105 to see if I can hear the difference
I think the old OJCs are great. Superb remastering. And often tip-on jackets up to number 150 or so. What´s not to like? And the Bill Evans releases are on par with the originals or better (not Debby though).
Personally, I prefer the Getz/Byrd Jazz Samba album over the Getz/Gilberto album. Jazz Samba is a must own. BTW, ordering the Coleman box set tonight from Acoustic Sounds at the discounted rate and saving a chunk of money. Canceling the upcoming Craft re-releases. A no-brainer! BTW, I bought the Bill Evans 45RPM box set from Acoustic Sounds like you did, and I've pre-ordered the two upcoming Bill Evans represses from OJC on 33 RPM. Having them at both speeds in a top notch repress is a good thing! Don't be so quick to poo-poo the notion of keeping them.
We’ll see when those Evans titles are released! I just know I don’t need originals plus TWO reissues. I mean don’t get me wrong, those albums get more play than most but I just don’t think I can justify so many copies
I dont know what youre talking about, OJC is a fantastic series, rarely ever had a bad copy, and people online concur. You must be an extreme outlier. And no, the Evans box mastering is very old and its really unlikely Kevin made 33 cuts at the same time which are only just now being pressed.
Should the quality of these reissues (in theory at least ) be very good ? Have these OJC reissues been mastered with the analog tapes ? And by what mastering engineer?And does anyone know what plant ? Thank you
I thought I was the only one with my OJC apprehension. When they came out in the 80s, I bought many of them new and was underwhelmed. While there are some true gems, the percentage of truly great recordings is way less then other labels like Blue Note. Blue Note had real rehearsals BEFORE they recorded, while Prestige just had a lot of jam session type stuff that sounds thrown together at a moments notice. (Riversides were much better). There's a reason Acoustic Sounds only did a small portion of the Prestige stuff; they cherry picked the best performances from Miles & Coltrane, etc.
As far as ERC goes, Ive heard several and they simply dont sound that great. Its a tape played raw, many times tapes with issues that need mastering to sound right. I almost view it as a scam really because every ERC Ive heard has been beat by originals or audiophile reissues.
Nice job mate! Yeah I have my eye (and wallet) on all these releases. Just what my life needs, another series (ojc) that I have to collect 🫣. Think I’ve gotten all the Verve/Impulse and Contemporary releases so far.
It’s tough with so many quality series out there. I will say, I’m not a completist for any of them except the BBE J Jazz series, mostly because thus far their releases are titles I’ve never owned originals of
@@jazzvinylcollector yeah I didn’t start out initially thinking I would get every release of various series but damn, I just seem to want or be very interested in just about each new album that comes along. It’s really freakin’ irritating man haha. Just so much great stuff!
There are a ton of early OJC's that sound fantastic!
Looking forward to craft bill evans!
I have many very good sounding OJCs. I especially love the original $5.98 obi in the shrink. Recently picked up a mint copy of Chet Baker in New York and, to my ears, it sounds better than the Craft. What’s even cooler is when Fantasy used the leftover heavyweight sleeves for OJC titles. Long live pre barcode OJC!
Can’t argue with that, some of those titles do indeed sound good, I just wish I could tell going in. I know some of those early GH engraved ones that are all analog are supposed to be better but even that doesn’t seem to be consistent.
Waltz For Debbie: i used to own the 1992 AP version (120 + $ on Discogs !), but i actually prefer my 1985 OJC copy, it does sound better to my ears !
Worth noting that Impex have confirmed a one step version of “jazz samba” is coming after the one step of “Getz/Gilberto”
Will be a nice addition along side my two Patricia Barber Impex One-steps! Can't wait!
The Benny Carter jazz giant on craft sounds fantastic!
also the benefit of ordering thru Craft is if you buy the entire group of what's coming out...they are all on sale!!
I don’t have many OJC’s hence I cannot say much about how good they were, but I do think it’s a bit strange that they use the brand of a budget series for a new, relatively expensive, audiophile series. It also seems like they step up significantly compared to the original series when it comes to packaging. On the other hand, the first few hundred titles of the original series have received a lot of praise the last years in places like SH forum.
By the way, Kevin Gray has been active since the early 70’s.
Correction at @15:00, based on everything I've heard Kevin Gray has absolutely no issue with cutting the same record more than once. He seems to be happy to cut whatever his clients want as many times as they want it. It's Joe Harley who doesn't want to repeat the titles he did at Music Matters.
Also, Kevin Gray has been cutting since the 70s but it seems he only became well known after he started working with Steve Hoffman, mastering Blue Notes, AP reissues, etc. That started in the 90s I believe.
Very interesting; thanks for that. I suppose it’s incredibly difficult to create a brand for yourself as an audio engineer so I wasn’t aware of him until relatively recently
'Jazz Samba' and 'Songs for Distingue Lovers' are must haves I would say. Billie's version of 'I didn't Know what Time It Was' is just hauntingly superb and Byrd/Getz is a great blend.
Thanks for mentioning AP's Waltz for Debby. It would be interesting to see if the OJC is different.
Very helpful and informative video. Thanks.
The Bill Evans records are definitely a new mastering. AP's 33 cuts from 2008 were mastered by Doug Sax. I found this on discogs. And they can't use the 45 cuts (that SH/KG did) for the new 33. I really like your videos, they're very good, maybe just a couple minutes' research beforehand could help. I'm really looking forward to the Evans records since I don't own either of them. Can't wait!
Great video as usual. I am looking forward to my pre orders:
- [ ] Sonny Rollins - Go West!
- [ ] Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby
- [ ] Bill Evans - Sunday night…
- [ ] Curtis Counce - You get more bounce
I found it interesting that you mentioned the opening track on the Workin' album; "It Never Entered My Mind". I have the Analogue Productions 45 version and on my outer protective sleeve I often make notes. I noted when I purchased it several years ago that this particular track could be the most moving trumpet solo piece in jazz history. I'm happy to see that someone else recognized how great it is; maybe it's because we are both trumpet players:)
I bought the ornette Coleman box marked down at Acoustic Sounds so it's like getting one album free. These upcoming releases have a ton of overlap because Craft still sells their lower priced OJCs as well.
Re: Ornette, the only difference between the Ornette Box and the single Ornette releases is the pressing plant (RTI for the box, QRP for the individual releases).
Re: Waltz for Debby , Kevin Gray confirmed that he recut the new OJCs. I think you confuse Kevin Gray for Joe Harley re: not wanting to do the same thing twice (MMJs are not repeating for Tone Poets etc).
Ah thanks for the clarification regarding both the box and with Gray. For some reason I imagine the two as connected at the hip with a shared mind
Love your shelving, did you do a self build😊
It’s all IKEA actually. I’d love to get custom shelving at some point
Hi, interesting thanks for sharing upcoming releases. Agree on the ERC, i am currently comparing my Coltrane with Analogue prestige coltrane, and i start to realize the AP is better 😩... have only 3 ERC but still a lot of money spent... J from Paris.
I love these release videos. Value you opinion as add to my growing Jazz collection
Kevin Gray will remaster the same titles all day long. Joe Harley is the one not looking to not repeat himself from Music Matters to Tone Poet.
The great part about Ojcs is to be able to get very rare titles that otherwise would cost maybe hundreds of dollars for a very affordable price.
Great video, but I have to join the others here defending the first OJC series, at least the first two hundred or so titles (which we can be nearly certain are all from tape). I've got about 100 of them and while you're right that the covers are usually flimsy (it was a budget series, after all), the sound is almost always excellent. I'll also admit that the noise floor of the vinyl isn't as quiet as today's best reissues.
My experience hasn’t been great. I tried early on in my collecting and didn’t find them as engaging as originals. More recently I picked up Waltz For Debby and For Lady on OJC. Waltz had a channel cut out in the recording if memory serves and For Lady was just blah. I don’t think it’s a bad series overall, I just think it’s interesting that it’s being dusted off again
@@jazzvinylcollector I'll certainly grant they're often no match for the originals. But as reissues go, except for the quality of the vinyl and the covers, I'd put them up there with anything coming out today cut at 33.
I found an original Bill Evans Sunday at the Village Vanguard (mono) and decided to sell it because, frankly, it goes for 400X what I paid for it. I've put off buying a new one because everyone I see at a reasonable price point is a knock-off or (and) all of them have a b&w cover. It seems kinda silly to not want the black & white cover but the original had an off-white card stock and a maroon-tinted ink and it's gorgeous in person.The b&w one looks really cheap compared to the original cover. Thanks for the heads up.
Haha, yeah I remember when OJCs were 'decent for the price, but there's a lot better out there', now they've mysteriously morphed into 'high end'. I too will be sticking the obi into the gatefold.😏I have an '87 OJC 'Workin' (Discogs high $110.00 wtf?) that I'll compare to the new iteration and let you know. Great vid as always!
Regarding the Bill Evans 45RPM "Waltz for Debby" and "Live at Village Vanguard" pressings you have. I think Chad used the same metalwork (for your box set) as the 2002 pressings I bought that were mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray. I have signed inserts from both of them since I was a subscriber to the series back then.
On the OJC's that Kevin just cut, he said in a recent video that his current setup is better than what he was using back when some of these titles were done several years ago by him.
Oh, very interesting. I can’t wait to hear these new ones. I’m just worried about having too many copies of the same album and not spinning some of them
@@jazzvinylcollector Keep the best one's, sell the rest. 😃
I think the important possibility with KG and Coherent is that hie system is tube based and that might lead to better sonics
How do you like the KEF LS50's with jazz? Seems like a nice way to get some tight sounding detail, how forgiving with worn records are they?
I love the Kefs. I know some think they aren’t “big” or efficient enough, and while it’s true they aren’t efficient speakers, I think they work really well for my listening space and have no problem driving them with a McIntosh amplifier. Just yesterday, I found a MC 2205 amp so I’m going to be swapping in/out my 2105 to see if I can hear the difference
I think the old OJCs are great. Superb remastering. And often tip-on jackets up to number 150 or so. What´s not to like? And the Bill Evans releases are on par with the originals or better (not Debby though).
Personally, I prefer the Getz/Byrd Jazz Samba album over the Getz/Gilberto album. Jazz Samba is a must own. BTW, ordering the Coleman box set tonight from Acoustic Sounds at the discounted rate and saving a chunk of money. Canceling the upcoming Craft re-releases. A no-brainer! BTW, I bought the Bill Evans 45RPM box set from Acoustic Sounds like you did, and I've pre-ordered the two upcoming Bill Evans represses from OJC on 33 RPM. Having them at both speeds in a top notch repress is a good thing! Don't be so quick to poo-poo the notion of keeping them.
We’ll see when those Evans titles are released! I just know I don’t need originals plus TWO reissues. I mean don’t get me wrong, those albums get more play than most but I just don’t think I can justify so many copies
I dont know what youre talking about, OJC is a fantastic series, rarely ever had a bad copy, and people online concur. You must be an extreme outlier.
And no, the Evans box mastering is very old and its really unlikely Kevin made 33 cuts at the same time which are only just now being pressed.
Should the quality of these reissues (in theory at least ) be very good ?
Have these OJC reissues been mastered with the analog tapes ?
And by what mastering engineer?And does anyone know what plant ?
Thank you
They are all analog from the master tapes and cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio, so they should be good
I don’t think it’s right you’re using Bill’s face on your YT cover stills, (probably just me) but I think it’s deeply disrespectful.
I thought I was the only one with my OJC apprehension. When they came out in the 80s, I bought many of them new and was underwhelmed. While there are some true gems, the percentage of truly great recordings is way less then other labels like Blue Note. Blue Note had real rehearsals BEFORE they recorded, while Prestige just had a lot of jam session type stuff that sounds thrown together at a moments notice. (Riversides were much better). There's a reason Acoustic Sounds only did a small portion of the Prestige stuff; they cherry picked the best performances from Miles & Coltrane, etc.
As far as ERC goes, Ive heard several and they simply dont sound that great. Its a tape played raw, many times tapes with issues that need mastering to sound right. I almost view it as a scam really because every ERC Ive heard has been beat by originals or audiophile reissues.
Yep that’s my experience as well
@@jazzvinylcollector Where I can find ERC press? I just wanna see what is like.
@@hank7273 Try Google
Nice job mate! Yeah I have my eye (and wallet) on all these releases. Just what my life needs, another series (ojc) that I have to collect 🫣. Think I’ve gotten all the Verve/Impulse and Contemporary releases so far.
It’s tough with so many quality series out there. I will say, I’m not a completist for any of them except the BBE J Jazz series, mostly because thus far their releases are titles I’ve never owned originals of
@@jazzvinylcollector yeah I didn’t start out initially thinking I would get every release of various series but damn, I just seem to want or be very interested in just about each new album that comes along. It’s really freakin’ irritating man haha. Just so much great stuff!
What about Eastern Sounds? That's the one I'm most ready for.