Sam Records Re-release: Sahib Shihab and The Danish Radio Jazz Group
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- Опубліковано 20 гру 2023
- In this video, I present "Sahib Shihab and The Danish Radio Jazz Group"
I also tell about the background and importance of this recording and compare it to an earlier Japanese re-release.
Link to Sam Records' webshop: samrecords.fr/shop/
Link to a short video of the test pressing w. comments of the quality compared to the Japanese re-release: • Sahib Shihab - Danish ...
Thank you for this review, I bought this Sam Records one, I love Sam Records releases, for a one man operation, the continued quality is absolutely superb and they do titles that just aren’t so readily available, so it’s really getting the music into our hands when it’s very hard to find the Japanese or original titles and they’re both far more expensive anyway.
Thanks for viewing and for your comment.
Don't be sorry that the Jap version is sold out/expensive - the Sam release sounds better.
The problem w. the comparison (at least on Michael45 video) is that he doesn't compensate for the difference in sound level.
I measured this out afterwards and the Jap version is cut 6 dB louder (which is a lot!!) - and if you don't compensate for this, the Jap version sounds "more powerfull", "dynamic" etc. But it is NOT - it's just louder - and one should adjust for this when comparing.
I also measured the dynamics (e.g. difference between average and maximum sound level) and the Sam release is 3 dB more dynamic (or put in another way: The Jap release is more compressed).
So quantity confused with quality in the mentioned review.
The Sam release also has less compact (or more "airy") cymbals and better definition (less boomy) bass.
Kevin Gray obviously knew what he was doing when he cut it.
Yes, Sam Records (Fred Thomas) is doing a great job with these releases.
Actually, I'm in Paris when I write this and tomorrow (Friday) I'll do an interview with Fred Thomas is his shop.
Afterwards I'll make a video and share what he could tell (using a new pressing plant, about upcoming releases etc.). Hope it'll be interesting.
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner oh fantastic, will look forward to that video with Fred, please pass on great appreciation for his work.
The music Sam/Fred has been putting out is not only great recordings, but also very rare ones at that and they come in immaculate finish and packaging. I also prefer single jackets over gate fold ones (well mostly) as they take a lot less space in my rack.
That is one of the reasons I absolutely love what OJC has done with their specially curated 9 high-quality re-issues in 2023 (soon to be 12), the attention to even the smallest detail is there, from quality of pressings, to cover and packaging. I own them all :)
I just heard of this album on Acoustic Sounds, and after sampling on Apple Music I'm definitely going to get it.
You won't regret it. Speaking to Fred Thomas, this is going to remain a limited edition of 3000, without re-pressing from Sam label in the future - another reason to own this fantastic piece of music.
Fascinating episode. I'll definitely be checking them out. Thank you for the music.
Thanks - I'm glad you like it - and think you won't be disappointed with these releases (the Heath Brothers is also great). Merry Christmas.
What a great review. Very helpful. Thank you.
Glad you found it usefull 👍
Excellent video. I picked up this album from Fred in Sam Records. It really surprised me. The music is in my wheelhouse and it is one of my top jazz albums of the year. Happy Christmas. Enjoy your holiday.
Thanks David - yes it’s an interesting album.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Great video
Thank you so much! Well done
Happy New Year
Thanks - I'm glad you like the video 🙂
And a happy New Year to you too.
- Claus
I’m glad your video showed up on my feed! Nice review.
Thanks John - glad you like the review.
This is a really great record 🙂
Hello from NYC. I have just discovered your channel today. Thank you very much for the interesting background info and your comparison to the Japan reissue. Your view contrasts with Michael45RPM, this is why the vinyl community is such an interesting place ! (I watched his review yesterday, I believe this is why UA-cam "directed" me to your channel...). By declaring the Japan reissue winner of the shoot-out over the Sam reissue, I think Michael created a mini run on Discogs! 7 copies of the Japanese reissue sold in the last 2 days. There is currently none left for sale !!!! For what is worth, after listening to your video, I will order the Sam's reissue. Thank you and Happy New Year.
Thanks for your comment (and sorry for my late answer...).
Yes Michael45 reaches a different conclusion. However he doesn't compensate for the fact, that the Jap version is cut 6 dB louder than the Sam version (i measured it out - the Sam version also has 3 dB higher dynamic range).
This (being louder) leads to the perception that the Jap is "more punchy", "powerfull" and "dynamic" as M45 says.
But this is confusing quantity with quality - when comparing 2 releases the first thing to assure is that you listen to the at the same sound level since our ears/hearing leads us to prefer the louder version (up until a certain sound level)!.
Just turn the Sam a little up and you are there.
The Sam is also more defined and has more details (e.g. you get a MUCH better feeling of the sticks hitting the cymbals) - and the bass is less boomy.
3 days ago, I played the 2 versions for my wife (who is not much into jazz but has a good sense of what she hears). And she pointed these differences out (with a little other words) and clearly preferred the Sam version.
It's a shame that Michael didn't get this (because he didn't level them out) being such a big YT-channel.
And yes: The Jap version has now sold out (I can probably get € 200 for my copy now 😉) - but that doesn't matter so much since the Sam version is the better sounding. (PS: I bought both my copies and is not associated with Sam records - but has visited them/Fred Thomas).
Michael is pretty much the only person who stated the Japanese cut is better than Sam's. I own both and have a high end resolving system, Japanese pressing cannot hold a handle to Sam's even though Sam's was cut from the DSD digital source.
I like Michael don't get me wrong, but some of his recent commentary has been questionable and dubious to say the least, sorry.
@@drazenbabich yes - it's disturbing for a YT-channel w. +40k followers that such fundamental errors can occur.
I very much wonder what to think of (all) the other comparisons where I don't have the compared versions myself 🤨
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner I hear you, Claus. I joined Michael's channel early on as he was one of the very few who was acquiring and reviewing pretty much every new release from the respectable vinyl labels, so was a great 'database' source for us sitting on the fence or thinking about buying a particular record. He also sells records now so I guess he gets 'first dibs' on many a titles out of reach of the rest of us mere mortals ;), As you know most of good and quality re-issues cut from master analogue tapes aren't exactly cheap for most, also depending on the country of your residence. I live in New Zealand and we pay what we call "shipping, distance and stupidity" tax on top of imported products, vinyl records being one of those.
That said, while I subscribed to Michael's channel back then, I am not a subscriber anymore. Over time he started focusing on the pressings details more and more and music less and less. I wonder how much of the music he amassed recently he actually listens to and really focuses on it, rather than A-B comparisons between pressings etc. The exclamations of "unbelievable", "fantastic", "out of this world" slowly became all too much, repetitive and tiresome. His ability to discern the differences between the two pressings are also doubtful, with so many videos of his in recent times where he stated his findings to be completely opposite from others.
I know I went a little deep and maybe a little negative on him and his channel, but that's just how I feel, sorry.
Keep up the good work. Thanks.
@@drazenbabich I've made the same observations about Michaels channel - and in a way it's always been more about the technicalities and rareness than the music. I still follow his channel - but get more info about the music from e.g. The Jazz Bums - I'm sure you know them/their channel.
I spoke to Fred Thomas in his shop in Paris last Friday. He told me that M45 had asked if he could sell Sam releases in his shop - but Fred has another Germans distributor, so he said "no" to M45.
I don't know - and certainly do not hope - if that has influenced M45's review of the Sahib Shihab release...
Thanks for your encouragement - I'll do my best 🙂
Hi there Captain. Just a quick FYI. I’m in the States. My grandfather was from Denmark. Born there in 1887. And I spent 2 weeks there in 2004 near Copenhagen. Birkerod. Loved it!
Thanks for the review. I ordered this tonight after learning about it earlier today. Though it was from 45RPM and Michael pretty much panned the Sam Records release. He said the OG and Japanese versions blew it away. Now that you have more eloquently and with greater articulation have communicated the differences with your two versions I feel confident my preorder of the Sam version will be very good to excellent. It may be that the other review was based more on volume than balance and charity along with a natural representation of the performances of the tracks. Kevin Gray doesn’t master bad sounding records. So thank you!! Tak!☮️
Hi - thanks for watching and for your comment - I hope and think you'll like the Sam Record release.
I have almost all of the Sam releases and have never been disappointed.
Fred Thomas puts a lot of effort and care in the releases he puts out and it pays off (there is an interview w. Fred Thomas on my channel).
I've watched the 45RPM video after you mentioned it - thanks!
However, I don't find the video very helpfull:
The comparison w. an un-obtainable original record (which I don't have either) really doesn't help anyone in the real world - so a bit theoretical (to me it seems a little like “bragging” that you have (borrowed) and listened to a €5,000 record that no one else has the opportunity to hear/borrow/buy).
And regarding the comparison w. the Japanese 2001-version, I think you are spot on:
Michael’s experience is probably due to the difference in sound level, which is almost 6 dB in average over all the 8 tracks (I measured the levels between the two). Others have made the same observations between the level and sound quality that I have: The Sam versions comes out as the better sounding of the two.
Nice to learn of your Danish “roots” (a way back though). From the videos on your channel, I guess that your last name might be Clausen (?). As you probably know “sen” means “son” (“søn” in Danish) - so Claus’ son.
A funny coincidence, but my first name is Claus… 😆
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner Hi Claus. Thx for the reply. Nice to chat with you. Yes I’ve always understood sen to be Danish. Thx for the additional comments on this Sam release. I can’t wait to hear it. I’ll watch your interview with Fred video. Happy New Year! 🎉
I have to agree with the Captain on the bragging rights.
I own most Sam releases and this one did not disappoint
@@Fatdogrecords good to know. Thx for the thought. And yes one thing I struggle with is the showing off or bragging in the “VC” UA-cam channels. I’m about exploration not “look what I have that you don’t “. ☮️
Captain, please, I need an information about Rhino High Fidelity: have you got Coltrane ("Coltrane's sounds") and the new of Ornette ("Change of century") vinyls in this label records? If this so, could you say me how much you pay in aduane taxes from USA to Danmark, please? Without defects gatefold covers? Thanks, Captain. Best regards from Madrid, Spain.
Hello - I don't have these releases, so I can't answer your question. Sorry.
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner
Thanks, Captain.
How about the quality sounds of this reissue? Thanks
The sound quality of this reissue is VERY good - buy it with confidence.
@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner better than japan press?
@@chickenleg2847 The Japanese pressing is less dynamic (3 dB - difference from average to max SPL - if you are into the technical aspects). Its also less defined and less detailed in the overall soundstage, the cymbals are more compact/less airy and it has a more boomy/less controlled bass.
Not that is bad sounding - the Sam release is just better in so many aspects.
The Japanese is cut louder (6 dB - which is a lot!) and this has led some YT'ers to conclude that is more "powerfull", "dynamic" or "punchy". A big channel like Michael45 describes it so - but it is NOT - it's just louder (quality confused with quantity).
All you have to do is to turn your amp a little up when playing the Sam (the vinyl is very silent, so no surface noise).