I agree completely! As the art director/designer for Impex Records, I have always pushed for greater presentation on expensive records. Thanks to Abey Fonn and our partners at Elusive Disc, we keep getting closer and closer to the ideal I seek. We may not make the kind of profits as Mo-Fi and Analogue Productions do (and there's something to say for that from a purely business point of view), we never regret the high effort and cost we put into our projects. Thank you for bringing up how important the packaging is to heighten and add value to the physical interaction between a music fan and the luxe LP releases they love.
And as you proved with the Kenny Dorham “Matador” release (the only Impex release I currently own), you showed that a jacket doesn’t have to be glossy to be quality: a matte jacket can be just as fantastic provided that it’s made with quality materials and leaves a tactile impression when held in one’s hands.
Do NOT apologize for speaking your mind on your own channel! At least for me,that´s why i´m here,to hear your thoughts and reviews! Other than that i can´t comment on this particular release but do not apologize for speaking out,you do that on behalf of many of us i´m quite sure. Everyone won´t agree and maybe you´ll catch some flak ,but that´s just how it goes sometimes. Keep up your good work,both in praising and criticism! It´s too much money involved to stay silent when one isn´t satiesfied! Cheers.
I agree with you, Michael. They present us with products that impart an attitude of either laziness or arrogance. But, as you mentioned, they are living in a competitive world. They should remember that.
Please never NEVER put ads on a record jacket! I art directed Hard Rock Cafe CD compilations and I screamed and cried and stomped my foot to keep ads off of it! PS: I love righteously angry Michael!
I just looked at my Speaker’s Corner Eye in the Sky and it’s not even gatefold but it sounds like a dream . I do support your your approach in any case
You are absolutely right, Michael. It also annoys me a lot when someone tries to sell a semi-finished product to customers as a complete product. However, it annoys me even more when Analogue Production sells an ugly box of UHQR for $50 or something like that.
Hold their feet to the fire, Michael! Even 55 years ago, the look, the feel, even the smell of the jackets were integral to my appreciation of the artistic statement that is a great release. I don't mind advertisements per se (even Analogue Productions have upcoming titles included in their releases) but I want top-flight jackets and inserts.
I couldn't agree more.. You are so precise and before you unfolded the issue, I knew exactly what you were about to say in the whole video.... I was lucky I saw the vinyl at a friend's house and I was instantly put off from buying it... Some companies have to start respecting the people who pay rediculous prices for their products if they want to keep them
Good call Michael. The cover and packaging are extremely important. The best quality products will be about the total package, not just part of the package. Thanks for being a strong voice on this particular release - you have called it honestly, hopefully you will be heard.
To me, the sleeves and gatefolds for vinyl it is a part of the whole experience. Great ones like those from Verve-Impulse Jazz and VMP are just fantastic and can lift the entire thing into a different tier of quality. Then you look at Blue Note and Speakers Corner for the price and theyre just great value for what you pay. MOFI needs to up their game.
The original Eye In The Sky has gold embossing, so beautiful. I do own the Mo Fi new version which I just purchased, major disappointment. I found an original mint copy of this album, which is still easily available. I paid 5.00 The Mo-Fi cost me 100.00
I have a couple copies of that original jacket. I'm not a fan of how thick jackets are now. I can fit a lot more vintage LPs in my house than reissues.
Totally agree with you Michael! As a record collector, the complete package, a top notch sounding record, plus a beautiful piece of artwork (the record jacket) has always been important to me! I noticed that your Eye In The Sky record jacket had a damaged, banged up left corner too. No doubt that this was due to the inadequate shipping mailer. Unacceptable!
Yep, I've seen this nonsense from many companies, including a few I've worked for, where just to make a tiny bit more profit, they cut corners on things that only cost pennies, but give the customer significantly less value, thus deterring future purchases. It's short sighted decisions like that that kill companies.
I completely agree with you. Mofi is in cash grab mode. They did the same thing on Eric Clapton Unplugged. I live in Chicago and was at Axpona a month or so ago, and Mofi had this huge sales area and they were charging huge prices for very low selling albums. They were pushing a bunch of crap on the attendees. I am sad to say they, as you mentioned, don't care any more and are in "we will sell it anyway," mode. Great video and thank you for saying what a lot of us are thinking.
Very interesting. I love your videos and opinions. Appreciate you sharing this. I like MOFI’s SACD packaging and gold CD releases. Vinyl may be a different story. ;)
I agree, if you’re going to charge premium prices this should extend to the quality of the jackets. The other thing that burns me are ultra expensive releases that include no extras, such as inserts. Would love to see them get more creative - e.g. including 8x10 glossy photos, maybe even a half dozen signed versions that get thrown in; mini posters; inserts with essays and other info specific to the album.
Spot on Michael!!! Packaging quality is extremely important especially at this price level. I have further issues with MoFi not staying true to the original manufacturer's outer jacket by continuing to place their branding 'stripe' along the top and by using their own MoFi label on the vinyl record instead of keeping with the original manufacturer's release as is done by Analogue Productions, Sam Records, Impex, and other forward thinking companies. You have the audience to bring this quality issue to their doorstep. Let's hope Mobile Fidelity Labs starts looking at the quality their competition is producing.
I am glad you brought this up. The packaging is low rate but I wonder if it’s due to the fact they are rushing to get product promised to the market. Give the people a good quality vinyl and they may over look the weaknesses of the packaging. My feeling are they are probably cutting costs somewhere or applying the better quality sleeves, jackets to their new One Steps not the boxed ones. I have bought some VMP titles and they are top notch. A lot of good points here.
I'm very confused by this video. You are upset for the way MFSL has been making jackets since the 70's but ERC charging 10x the price with shapie touch up's is not a problem?
i love both of you guys on here so i don't want to piss nobody off but i was pleased with the quality of my eye in the sky pressing and jacket but if i recall mike wasn't the original eye in the sky like a golden glitter?
@@johnloper5740 Had to go look at mine, it is not a gatefold, but it is a matte sea mist green background with an embossed 3D relief and a texture stamped into gold foil. (Artista AL 9599)
Well said Michael MOFI need to hear / see this video. I total agree with everything you said. Being an ex professional photographer your comment about Kodak & Polaroid is very pertinent to the position MOFI could find themselves in very quickly, if they do not up there game as you stated “There is a lot of sharks swimming in this vinyl pool at the moment” ATB Graham.
Totally understand where you are coming from Michael! Especially compared to like you say: Vinyl Me Please and something like the Tone Poet series with the wonderful jackets and extensive, beautiful photos and liner notes. It’s not acceptable at all.
UA-cam videos shifts new releases more than any thing. So Michael and the other reviewers have the potential to move markets by simply reviewing fewer MOFi discs until they change their offering and pricing. They should give more airtime to more consumer friendly audiophile labels.
hey michael...cover art and packaging is very important to me...it can almost 'flavor' the way i hear the music inside...only two things that could help a situation like this...people just don't buy the album, or people send their copies back, demanding a better cover....if enough people react, then mo-fi has to act...great video my friend...peace...rocky
I wrote to Chad at Acoustic Sounds in the late 90s when he was selling two 45s in a single cover, not a gatefold. When Music Matters started selling their releases in beautiful thick gatefold covers with photos, it made Chad’s releases look remarkably inferior. In the letter, I told Chad if he wanted to be the best, he had a ways to go to approach MM’s standard. Soon after that Acoustic Sounds started issuing their releases in beautiful gatefolds. I doubt my letter had anything to do with it- probably pure coincidence, but Chad ultimately got the message and has consistently issued superior jackets since.
@@Michael45RPM I was just going to comment on that: Analogue Productions is a great example of how you can improve your products (by changing jackets, for example). Vinyl Me Please is another example, they learned how to make top quality products (AAA, with top master engineers, etc.).
AP definitely stepped up, although part of me likes the old crappy jackets because they are so efficient with space and practical. But of course, much less nice.
The problem now with AP is that the jackets are top quality but sometimes the photo they use for the jackets is an obvious scan and sometimes done well and sometimes poorly done.
You are absolutely right, it’s to easy fo MOFI. Old style, not looking into the needs for the market nowadays. Markets are moving fast and they need to do something about it. I also wanted to get into some of the announced releases but is it worth the steep asking price if you compare to the competition. Very good video Michael, as always, keep them coming!
I am totally with you Michael. 85 EUR for that record is crazy. I just bought the stereo edition of Coltrane's Blue Train from the Tone Poet series: two heavenly sounding discs with a beautiful high gloss tip-on jacket, accompanied by a booklet full of high resolution photos and interesting stories. All that for around 60 EUR. I am new to this hobby but I am not tempted to buy a MFSL release as long as there are such gems out there from Blue Note, Analogue Productions, Verve/Impulse etc.
MoFi was relevant when it was really one of the only sources available for great recordings. Today we have 2-gigabit internet and lossless files, so there isn't a need anymore to seek out things like MoFi anymore. It had its day...
Disagree, the vinyl experience, although flawed calls to me more than digital processing. I prefer imported artisan cheeses over processed cheese Kraft slices. Yes it’s a strange metaphor but you get my drift.
@@ralex3697 No, I get it completely. Digital is the processed cheese, and analog is the real imported artisan item. You made your point even if you didn't exactly mean to. Digital vinyl is Velveeta on a fancy French baguette.
I couldn’t agree with you more. A month ago I ordered MOFI The Young Rascals- Groovin’. It took them over 2 weeks to ship when it was stated they had it in stock. When it arrived, it was Alan Parsons Project Eye in the sky! They shipped the wrong album! I emailed them twice nearly a week ago and they will not respond. Even though the APP album is wonderful, it is not what I ordered. I guess I have no recourse other than to file a dispute with my credit card company. I’ve about had it with MOFI. The complete lack of customer service is mind boggling and at best, rude. I had a similar problem back in February when I ordered Cyndi Lauper She’s so unusual. It took over a month to get the album when it was in stock. The emails I sent, the replies were condescending to say the least. What an obnoxious company. I’ve reached the end of my tether with them.
I’m glad someone has finally called Mofi out on this issue. It’s the same with the One Steps, it’s 2 lps in a box with virtually no extra’s. Here in the U.K. they cost £180 each. I’m really hoping they put some extra booklets or photos/prints in the upcoming Thriller One Step.
Love this, excellent job Michael. This is the freedom bestowed on someone who actually buys the product. Most big-time reviewers, and I'm thinking of one in particular, wouldn't dare criticize a major label because they would be afraid the free-record gravy train would dry up.
Wow, so I get home from a holiday weekend and see that 'Li'l Mikey Fremer And The Giant Fragile Egos' has been obsessing for days over a comment on another person's UA-cam channel, and is calling me out like a sixth grade bully demanding I meet him by the bike racks after school. In other words, his usual insecure, baiting shtick. Couple of things: -I think Carly Simon said it best when she said "You're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you". -I'm not going to shit on Michael's channel, which I really, really enjoy, by involving myself with your shit-show temper tantrum. Get help. Seriously.
Your point is so on the money and I totally agree. Love your shows very educational cheers and thanks for taking the time to put them together. Have a good one.
It's good to hear how well VMP is doing. I subscribed for years. I dropped my subscriptions last year only because I could not keep up with the listening. I'm old.
I concur. I’m a huge mobile fidelity fan. Even have some tshirts. I feel their packaging is not what it could be and especially at the vinyl pricing. I also get many of their digital product and amazed at how the the font is not straight and the photo quality feels like a copy of a copy. I would love to seem them freshen up the packaging to the next level.
I agree with you Michael. I actually have a reissue of this exact album with a gold foil inlay on the cover. I picked it up a few months back. If we, as consumers, make our displeasure know to the company they have two choices, make changes or watch others pass them by.
I agree 100% Packaging is everything to the hobby of collecting vinyl. I got my copy of Eye In The Sky a few weeks ago and it sounds good but like you I was extremely disappointed in the packaging. I was expecting more for $65.00. I knew this one was coming so I passed on the Speakers Corner version. Now I wonder if I should have bought that version and saved some money.
We are buying the entire product experience when we indulge in vinyl. Having an ad inside a bare bones cardboard jacket for any record above 50 euros is like buying a slap to my face.
When Italy play in 1982 the final of football worldcup I was fifteen and at the end Italy won. All people celebrate victory. I put my new copy of Eye In The sky on turntable and I listen this magic album at heavy volume in the night.
Loved the tetra pack analogy! Perfect. You voice the feelings of many who feel that for the money they pay they deserve a product that delivers on quality -- not only musical quality.
Yupp, totally agree. The packaging for vinyl is important. This is a physical medium and size and quality of the jackets are part of the reason we kept on buying vinyl. Yes the sound is also important, but high res steaming has something going for it, so the vinyl sellers need to keep their act together to keep the interest.
I totally agree with you, I bought a $49.99 album and after $9.89 shipping it was nearly $60.00! But analogue productions has free shipping after $49.00. Guess where I'm going!!
I agree with you regarding the stunning quality of VMP. But.. unfortunately when their package finally arrives at my doorsteps it is seldom the gatefold/jackets isn’t damaged.. guess bad luck! Perhaps their shipping packaging is improved over the course of time.. Great topic Michael! Shame on you mofi ;)
I must say in the last few months I’ve been getting bored with videos for new releases etc etc but Michael this I enjoyed and totally agree with you 👍👍 For the money being shared with expect a far better product and as you say other companies do it exceedingly well -hope to see more content like this as this was one of your best for a long time!!
Great video. You are absolutely right. I agree. For that kind of money we can expect more for the total product. This is a disgrace of a product they deliver at the moment
This is a very fair assessment. VMP has been really great at upping their jacket game. The PIR Anthology Box set are all stunners with custom matched vinyl to boot.
@@collectrify why do you think its taking so long? People from other states and countries are getting theres before us.lol it Will be a month next week
Hi Michael, I bought the Eye In The Sky today at one of my local stores ( That's almost a miracle here in Germany ). This was surely not because of the cover. I absolutely agree with you on that topic. The original pressings of eye in the sky come with an embossed and gold-foiled cover art. Mofi offers none of that. I think it's even worse with their one-step titles - here in Germany you pay 170-200 Euros for one of those copies and you don't even get a proper cover, just a lousy piece of cardboard depicting the cover art. If I compare that to AP's UHQR product for example...well...does mofi really think their product is competitive in this topic?
Aspects of a vinyl reissue in order of importance for me: 1. Source audio 2. Mastering 3. Pressing 4. Jacket quality It would have to be a really bad cover to be more important than 1-3. If a label is going to skimp anywhere, I'd prefer it be the cover, rather than 1-3. Having said that, if it's being presented and priced as a top-notch, world-class reissue, it should have an awesome jacket, too.
Great video Michael…. I totally agree with your thoughts and opinions on this topic. I am relatively new to vinyl again. When I was getting back into it, I was told, you have to invest into Mofi pressings. My very first exposure to them was the blood sweat and tears one step. That pressing absolutely blew my mind!!!!! That is one of the best sounding pressings I have heard period. Then I got the Muddy Waters Folk Singer. Which, in my opinion is one of the greatest album ever. I compared that to my AP 45rpm version for $60 and I was not that impressed. Then it got worse with the EC Unplugged. The photo they used for the front is matte and so blurry. It is really bad. Plus their version of a jacket is horrible. There is so much more room for improvement. When I look at my AP album jacket it is so beautiful and sturdy great images and tons of info about the album. Not to mention no seam splits…. Look what Chad does with his UHQR SERIES. Now that is top of the line all the way!!!! You get the actual jacket and it is $25 less. Chad is absolutely killing it over there. Also, they have way more titles and so much of it is in stock most of the time…… you can tell that Chas would do this for free because he care so much about the music and the whole experience of owning vinyl. Where Mofi is a production line and just spitting out records without any thought or care behind it. Mofi used to be the good standard the pinnacle, the bench mark to which everyone else espied to be like. One of my favorite quotes is from Lee Iacocca “You either lead, follow or get out of the way” Come on Mofi, dust yourself off and get back to what made you the king of the hill…. Take back the crown and the throne. Let’s hope with their new pressing plane coming in 2023 and all these new titles and genera’s they are saying they will be doing, it will happen?
i was just at the grocery store and what used to cost me 18$ now costs 48$ .... and a tank of gas went from 30$ to 90$ .... unless you are financially successful or merely rich... i suspect over the next 2 years of recession/depression the vinyl fad will fade because they will have priced 80% of the population out of the "new audiophile pressing market" ... unfortunately vinyl will suffer while the public struggles to get to work and home and pay for food to keep their family alive....
That jacket looks like my old Mexican pressing from the 80s. My country was going through an ugly economic crisis at the time, so records had to be cheaper, with the consequent loss in terms of quality. Definitely not expected in a supposedly premium release. I really enjoy your videos, Michael!
Agreed! I look at the Analogue Productions Alexander Nevsky LP, with its matte finish and thick, textured tip-on sheet, and shake my head at Mofi. I love Mofi, but we're in the 2020's! They need to get on the ball!
Hello Michael! I could not agree more. MOFI is one of my favorite labels but Impex, Analogue Productions and BN bring it all together. Don't forget MOFI, it comes down to Art. It's a visual as well as audio medium. I hope you get a response (I hope we all do).
I agree. There are several MoFi "coming soon" releases that I've decided not to buy. My confidence in them has dropped considerably especially when there are better companies now. The arrogance is not back up by the quality.
Besides their QC is truly disappointing, I have received "one steps" with the vinyl full of thick dust, outrageous for the price. Hope this improves when using new facility, not RTI.
I agree with you. The problem is: I am afraid MoFi would raise their prices even higher for better quality packaging. What is totally crazy about this is MoFi's parent company Music Direct know how to do this right. Music Direct prints a stunning high quality glossy yearly catalog which comes out at year end and is is like Audio Porn. I see it out at audiophiles listening room like you would a coffee table book in the Living Room. It is telling that they will do that to try to sell you a product. Once they have gotten you to pay for a MoFi LP their interest in presenting you with a quality experience seems to extend to the LP only.
@@Matasky2010That is your opinion which you are certainly entitled to. I respectfully disagree. They go all out on the Music Direct catalog which shows they know how to provide a quality presentation. To me this shows they are more interested in getting you to buy a product than they are in providing you with a high quality cover on their own product. I would say the sound is the most important thing, but for the price they charge I would think they could put a little more into the covers. Their competition certainly does.
@@jfm0830 Yes, but there are MANY Mofi covers that are very high quality- I have Allman Bros and Dylan titles whose covers feel like hardcover books. I get it- the Alan Parsons cover sucks, cool, but let's not dismiss Mofi altogether. As I pointed out before- the RECENT Mofi David Crosby cover was beautifully done, Michael even reviewed and praised it himself! An epic rant about one cover is absurd lol.
@@Matasky2010 I will agree that there have been some great covers, but there have also been some pretty mediocre covers. I think we can probably agree they should at least be as good as the original LP. That is why I didn't think the rant about Allan Parson was too over the top. This isn't the first LP cover that has been less than stellar. Now MoFi has far more completion than in the past.
Agee with you 100% .. for the price we are paying the artwork on the jacket and overall production are all part of the overall packaging we are paying a premium for .. it’s not good when a company starts taking advantage of loyal customers
I’m still waiting on my replacement copy of Eagles Desperado One Step. Mofi sent me two copies of LP No 1. (Missing LP No 2.) also the individual sleeves were damaged. I have 3 pending orders in with MoFi at the moment - and they’ve not shipped an order I placed 14 months ago. Pretty upsetting given what paid to them over the years. Not feeling very valued as a customer.
I absolutely agree. I'd also love to see MoFi try to market to a younger generation. Like you said, even Music On Vinyl seems to recognize this. I saw they reissued some old Chapterhouse that I guarantee MoFi wouldn't touch in a million years. Since the 2010's Shoegaze has had quite the revival with young music fans. They could even still stick with mainstream material if they wanted to, and still appeal to some young people. I'd quite like to see a remaster of something like 21 by Adele. Unfortunately, MoFi seems all too content to live in the past forever, and squeak by on their name alone. They should really be willing to consider some releases from within the past 20 years. There are some absolute classics that have come out since then
I agree packing is very important. I like to look packing while I listen, it’s part of the overall experience of listening to vinyl. The look and the feel are so important. I completely agree with you.
I love your passion Michael, I feel exactly as you. This has always been an issue with MoFi & it defiantly comes across like let the peasants eat the crumbs we throw at them. These records are expensive by any measure, most people have to live within a budget forced to pick & choose carefully. The last thing you want your customer to feel is regret in spending his hard earned money on the product you sold them. You could never say this about Chad as he would never put out some of the things many other's seem to have no problem doing. Things are hot now but the day of reckoning with regards to the economy are soon to change things drastically. As they say in marketing, The best customer is the one you already have. The wheel turns MoFi, try to show more appreciation to the loyal customers that supported you. You may own the company but ultimately the customer is the true boss in the end.
You are 100% correct. Why do we need a gatefold advertising Mo-Fi products and turntables.....we already know about the company? It would be like Rolex or Mercedes-Benz stuffing flyers of their other product lines....if you know the brand, you do not need to be reinforced on its other products, it can be almost insulting to the consumer......much like going into a fine steak house and being explained or reaffirmed that you ordered you steak medium rare and not medium.
Im waiting on my AP Eye and you are absolutely correct! We are paying for every bit of the title, Sound quality, cover quality etc! We are paying for the experience of top of the line audio. Im sad they cheapen out for a dollar vs reputation and customer satisfaction.
I purchase Mofi albums on a regular basis. I like what they do on a musical basis. I especially like the One Steps. I appreciate your points on the covers and advertisement materials. It would be nice if they upped their game. They push SACD’s as well as vinyl. I don’t know how well those sell. That product never took off in a big way, though it has been available since the late 1990 ‘s. Mofi should stick to vinyl with the improvements that you note.
You go Michael!! I love MOFI, but we should always be demanding better value for our $.. records are so expensive already, we should at least get what we are paying for
I agree with you 💯! I'm a art director and seeing poor quality artwork is such a turnoff no matter the price. I just got back into Vinyl at the beginning of the pandemic, and to me, the artwork is just as important as the sound. So if one or the other is poor, I won't buy the record. Keep voicing your opinion, without it, change won't happen👊🏻🙏🏻🎶
The last Mofi's i bought were the Dire Straits titles. Not interested in any of the One-Steps musically so far, and the latest titles don't appeal to be. Craft is doing great stuff, in a single pocket tip-on for 33 rpm, which is my preferred format. My biggest pet peeve is that Blue Note doesn't put the Classic Series records in a decent jacket. Mofi's biggest sin in ruining every piece of album artwork with their stupid banner, and not using the original record label graphics on the centre labels, substituting their own logos. Mofi has to really be a definitive vinyl version of the title for me to consider buying it, and overlooking all the things they do that I feel are extremely poor choices.
@@derosa1989 What's your complaint? They give you the option- pay premium for the beautiful Tone Poet, or get the equally great sounding Classic in a lesser cover at a lower price.
Thank you for this great video; the packaging or the expensive releases should always have superior color reproduction on covers, of photos and more. With the prices so high, why not?
I have a Canadian OG of "Eye in the Sky" I guess they couldn't access the original negatives used for the photos?? Your experience in advertising gives you a keen eye for the marketing end of things, Michael. They should hire you ... but doubt they could afford you. 😉
The most honest and free speech feedback I have seen/ heard, in this community; I am totally with you Michael💪. This accounts in a larger scale too, but let's start here, in a open respectful discussion. Great work Michael, thanks, Toby
I so agree with you! So many poorly manufactured records these days...And the prices!!! I have an ever expanding black list of manufacturers. I am putting so many new issues in my wish list to buy in a few years to see if some better pressings come around instead of buying the current junk that comes out of Optimal, MPO, CZ media and the like...Greed and disrespect for the customer and the products. Where is the pride for a job well done! No QC whatsoever...Sad.
You know you are right! We pay a lot of money for these albums and with the hype and waiting so long for the release dates only to be disappointed! MOFI has been doing these substandard albums all the while going up in price! As a professional photographer more than 35 years, I have demanded quality and expect it and anything less is insulting! I feel ya!
Your statement around 13:30 about if it were a 15 dollar record is spot on. I feel the MoFi releases are way over priced for what you get. I only buy the MoFi SACDs decent to crappy packaging, really good sound 30 US dollars at most. I just can't justify spending what they are charging for the vinyl records so I look for NM original releases usually.
I agree Michael. When purchasing a high end archival record it should be presented as such. The recent Eric Clapton release has an awful blurry picture as well. If this is the end, I hope the CSN couch album comes out soon. Really want this one and hope the quality is there.
Well said. Really well said. We, especially in Europe, are being taken to the cleaners. £90 average for Audio Analogue and MoFi in UK. Related subject. On your list of who should get the audiophile pressing treatment can you add Donovan? Excellent original LP’s. I guess you already have Bowie?🤔
First I truly appreciate your passion for what you do and your willingness to call out inferior work. At the price point we are paying there should not be any excuses for this type of workmanship. I listen to you regularly and please stay safe and keep these videos coming
Bravo Micheal, Bravo!! I truly respect you having the guts to call out one of the giants in the industry. I agree that it is ultimately the music that matters, but we do purchase vinyl for the entire package, otherwise we would just stream the music. A very big part of what drew me back into vinyl was the total tactile experience. Removing the lp, placing it on the platter to play and sit back and enjoy the cover art, liner notes and credits, etc. I have only bought a couple dozen so far, but the AP titles have so far been the highest quality. Watching a few videos put out by Chad Kassem his passion is evident, and it shows in his product. Please don't change a thing, we value your honest opinion. Best regards, Bob Ratliff.
I wasn't convinced of your complaint until you bring up the $80 price tag. For that price the cover should at least replicate the original, and certainly shouldn't be of lower quality. Acoustic Sounds' releases are less than half that price, and have amazing packaging.
I agree completely! As the art director/designer for Impex Records, I have always pushed for greater presentation on expensive records. Thanks to Abey Fonn and our partners at Elusive Disc, we keep getting closer and closer to the ideal I seek. We may not make the kind of profits as Mo-Fi and Analogue Productions do (and there's something to say for that from a purely business point of view), we never regret the high effort and cost we put into our projects. Thank you for bringing up how important the packaging is to heighten and add value to the physical interaction between a music fan and the luxe LP releases they love.
And as you proved with the Kenny Dorham “Matador” release (the only Impex release I currently own), you showed that a jacket doesn’t have to be glossy to be quality: a matte jacket can be just as fantastic provided that it’s made with quality materials and leaves a tactile impression when held in one’s hands.
I have 8 Impex releases. All superb quality products - the jackets and the pressings / sound quality. Top notch.
Recently picked up IMPEX Records Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra and it was a joy! Keep up the great work!
@@jeffbeamer9882 One of our favorite packages! Thank you for your comment
@@JamboLinnman Thank you!
Packaging is extremely important - vinyl is physical and it’s part of the experience. Hell, I choose a lot of vinyl simply for the cover art.
Do NOT apologize for speaking your mind on your own channel! At least for me,that´s why i´m here,to hear your thoughts and reviews! Other than that i can´t comment on this particular release but do not apologize for speaking out,you do that on behalf of many of us i´m quite sure. Everyone won´t agree and maybe you´ll catch some flak ,but that´s just how it goes sometimes. Keep up your good work,both in praising and criticism! It´s too much money involved to stay silent when one isn´t satiesfied! Cheers.
I agree with you, Michael. They present us with products that impart an attitude of either laziness or arrogance. But, as you mentioned, they are living in a competitive world. They should remember that.
Please never NEVER put ads on a record jacket! I art directed Hard Rock Cafe CD compilations and I screamed and cried and stomped my foot to keep ads off of it! PS: I love righteously angry Michael!
You have hit the point! There is nothing to replace the vinyl experience from cover to vinyl.
👍
I just looked at my Speaker’s Corner Eye in the Sky and it’s not even gatefold but it sounds like a dream . I do support your your approach in any case
I bought Eye In The Sky in the UK in 1982 and, honestly, the photos aren't any better on my copy than on your Mobile Fidelity one.
You are absolutely right, Michael. It also annoys me a lot when someone tries to sell a semi-finished product to customers as a complete product. However, it annoys me even more when Analogue Production sells an ugly box of UHQR for $50 or something like that.
Hold their feet to the fire, Michael! Even 55 years ago, the look, the feel, even the smell of the jackets were integral to my appreciation of the artistic statement that is a great release. I don't mind advertisements per se (even Analogue Productions have upcoming titles included in their releases) but I want top-flight jackets and inserts.
I couldn't agree more.. You are so precise and before you unfolded the issue, I knew exactly what you were about to say in the whole video.... I was lucky I saw the vinyl at a friend's house and I was instantly put off from buying it... Some companies have to start respecting the people who pay rediculous prices for their products if they want to keep them
Good call Michael. The cover and packaging are extremely important. The best quality products will be about the total package, not just part of the package. Thanks for being a strong voice on this particular release - you have called it honestly, hopefully you will be heard.
I think this has more to do with Michael's advertising links to amazon purchases for preorders than Mofi .
To me, the sleeves and gatefolds for vinyl it is a part of the whole experience. Great ones like those from Verve-Impulse Jazz and VMP are just fantastic and can lift the entire thing into a different tier of quality. Then you look at Blue Note and Speakers Corner for the price and theyre just great value for what you pay. MOFI needs to up their game.
I've got Dylan and Allman Bros Mofi Lps that feel like hardcover books- they're beauties (assuming you can accept their signature banners).
The title of this vid is a bit mafioso....lol!
CA - PEESH , MOFI!
The original Eye In The Sky has gold embossing, so beautiful. I do own the Mo Fi new version which I just purchased, major disappointment. I found an original mint copy of this album, which is still easily available.
I paid 5.00
The Mo-Fi cost me 100.00
I have that gold foil version - it sounds good enough and is an amazing presentation - although I do have the MOFi I-robot - that sounds amazing
I have a couple copies of that original jacket. I'm not a fan of how thick jackets are now. I can fit a lot more vintage LPs in my house than reissues.
Totally agree with you Michael! As a record collector, the complete package, a top notch sounding record, plus a beautiful piece of artwork (the record jacket) has always been important to me!
I noticed that your Eye In The Sky record jacket had a damaged, banged up left corner too. No doubt that this was due to the inadequate shipping mailer. Unacceptable!
Yep, I've seen this nonsense from many companies, including a few I've worked for, where just to make a tiny bit more profit, they cut corners on things that only cost pennies, but give the customer significantly less value, thus deterring future purchases. It's short sighted decisions like that that kill companies.
I completely agree with you. Mofi is in cash grab mode. They did the same thing on Eric Clapton Unplugged. I live in Chicago and was at Axpona a month or so ago, and Mofi had this huge sales area and they were charging huge prices for very low selling albums. They were pushing a bunch of crap on the attendees. I am sad to say they, as you mentioned, don't care any more and are in "we will sell it anyway," mode. Great video and thank you for saying what a lot of us are thinking.
I had spits in the sleeves and they could have in proved on the photos or added better photos or different photos
Well put
Very interesting. I love your videos and opinions. Appreciate you sharing this. I like MOFI’s SACD packaging and gold CD releases. Vinyl may be a different story. ;)
I agree, if you’re going to charge premium prices this should extend to the quality of the jackets. The other thing that burns me are ultra expensive releases that include no extras, such as inserts. Would love to see them get more creative - e.g. including 8x10 glossy photos, maybe even a half dozen signed versions that get thrown in; mini posters; inserts with essays and other info specific to the album.
Spot on Michael!!! Packaging quality is extremely important especially at this price level. I have further issues with MoFi not staying true to the original manufacturer's outer jacket by continuing to place their branding 'stripe' along the top and by using their own MoFi label on the vinyl record instead of keeping with the original manufacturer's release as is done by Analogue Productions, Sam Records, Impex, and other forward thinking companies. You have the audience to bring this quality issue to their doorstep. Let's hope Mobile Fidelity Labs starts looking at the quality their competition is producing.
I am glad you brought this up. The packaging is low rate but I wonder if it’s due to the fact they are rushing to get product promised to the market. Give the people a good quality vinyl and they may over look the weaknesses of the packaging. My feeling are they are probably cutting costs somewhere or applying the better quality sleeves, jackets to their new One Steps not the boxed ones. I have bought some VMP titles and they are top notch. A lot of good points here.
I'm very confused by this video. You are upset for the way MFSL has been making jackets since the 70's but ERC charging 10x the price with shapie touch up's is not a problem?
Very true Mike
i love both of you guys on here so i don't want to piss nobody off but i was pleased with the quality of my eye in the sky pressing and jacket but if i recall mike wasn't the original eye in the sky like a golden glitter?
i also own the speakers corner pressing and the quality and pictures on covers are almost identical
My exact thought!
@@johnloper5740 Had to go look at mine, it is not a gatefold, but it is a matte sea mist green background with an embossed 3D relief and a texture stamped into gold foil. (Artista AL 9599)
Well said Michael MOFI need to hear / see this video. I total agree with everything you said. Being an ex professional photographer your comment about Kodak & Polaroid is very pertinent to the position MOFI could find themselves in very quickly, if they do not up there game as you stated “There is a lot of sharks swimming in this vinyl pool at the moment”
ATB Graham.
Totally understand where you are coming from Michael! Especially compared to like you say: Vinyl Me Please and something like the Tone Poet series with the wonderful jackets and extensive, beautiful photos and liner notes. It’s not acceptable at all.
UA-cam videos shifts new releases more than any thing. So Michael and the other reviewers have the potential to move markets by simply reviewing fewer MOFi discs until they change their offering and pricing. They should give more airtime to more consumer friendly audiophile labels.
yeah VMP has really impressed me with some of their work
hey michael...cover art and packaging is very important to me...it can almost 'flavor' the way i hear the music inside...only two things that could help a situation like this...people just don't buy the album, or people send their copies back, demanding a better cover....if enough people react, then mo-fi has to act...great video my friend...peace...rocky
I agree , Michael ! 100% correct ! It's like they are getting lazy on the product and charging more :(
I wrote to Chad at Acoustic Sounds in the late 90s when he was selling two 45s in a single cover, not a gatefold. When Music Matters started selling their releases in beautiful thick gatefold covers with photos, it made Chad’s releases look remarkably inferior. In the letter, I told Chad if he wanted to be the best, he had a ways to go to approach MM’s standard. Soon after that Acoustic Sounds started issuing their releases in beautiful gatefolds. I doubt my letter had anything to do with it- probably pure coincidence, but Chad ultimately got the message and has consistently issued superior jackets since.
your letter may have had more impact than you think Eric
@@Michael45RPM I was just going to comment on that: Analogue Productions is a great example of how you can improve your products (by changing jackets, for example). Vinyl Me Please is another example, they learned how to make top quality products (AAA, with top master engineers, etc.).
AP definitely stepped up, although part of me likes the old crappy jackets because they are so efficient with space and practical. But of course, much less nice.
good Job Eric because you are absolutely 100% Right and Chad has never looked back
The problem now with AP is that the jackets are top quality but sometimes the photo they use for the jackets is an obvious scan and sometimes done well and sometimes poorly done.
You are absolutely right, it’s to easy fo MOFI. Old style, not looking into the needs for the market nowadays. Markets are moving fast and they need to do something about it. I also wanted to get into some of the announced releases but is it worth the steep asking price if you compare to the competition. Very good video Michael, as always, keep them coming!
I 100% agree with you. The high end vinyl labels are pushing quality aside to meet demand. It’s not just MOFI.
I am totally with you Michael. 85 EUR for that record is crazy. I just bought the stereo edition of Coltrane's Blue Train from the Tone Poet series: two heavenly sounding discs with a beautiful high gloss tip-on jacket, accompanied by a booklet full of high resolution photos and interesting stories. All that for around 60 EUR. I am new to this hobby but I am not tempted to buy a MFSL release as long as there are such gems out there from Blue Note, Analogue Productions, Verve/Impulse etc.
MoFi was relevant when it was really one of the only sources available for great recordings. Today we have 2-gigabit internet and lossless files, so there isn't a need anymore to seek out things like MoFi anymore. It had its day...
Disagree, the vinyl experience, although flawed calls to me more than digital processing.
I prefer imported artisan cheeses over processed cheese Kraft slices. Yes it’s a strange metaphor but you get my drift.
@@ralex3697 No, I get it completely. Digital is the processed cheese, and analog is the real imported artisan item. You made your point even if you didn't exactly mean to. Digital vinyl is Velveeta on a fancy French baguette.
I couldn’t agree with you more. A month ago I ordered MOFI The Young Rascals- Groovin’. It took them over 2 weeks to ship when it was stated they had it in stock. When it arrived, it was Alan Parsons Project Eye in the sky! They shipped the wrong album! I emailed them twice nearly a week ago and they will not respond. Even though the APP album is wonderful, it is not what I ordered. I guess I have no recourse other than to file a dispute with my credit card company. I’ve about had it with MOFI. The complete lack of customer service is mind boggling and at best, rude. I had a similar problem back in February when I ordered Cyndi Lauper She’s so unusual. It took over a month to get the album when it was in stock. The emails I sent, the replies were condescending to say the least. What an obnoxious company. I’ve reached the end of my tether with them.
Very valid comments. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I’m glad someone has finally called Mofi out on this issue. It’s the same with the One Steps, it’s 2 lps in a box with virtually no extra’s. Here in the U.K. they cost £180 each. I’m really hoping they put some extra booklets or photos/prints in the upcoming Thriller One Step.
I've had many releases come with seam splits also with the one step in the big boxes had a few seam splits
Geez!!
They remind me of Wall Street guys destroying Boeings.
Love this, excellent job Michael. This is the freedom bestowed on someone who actually buys the product. Most big-time reviewers, and I'm thinking of one in particular, wouldn't dare criticize a major label because they would be afraid the free-record gravy train would dry up.
I get promos and I criticize them mercilessly when required. I trust you are not referring to me. Name names.
Waiting for the name…
Still waiting
Wow, so I get home from a holiday weekend and see that 'Li'l Mikey Fremer And The Giant Fragile Egos' has been obsessing for days over a comment on another person's UA-cam channel, and is calling me out like a sixth grade bully demanding I meet him by the bike racks after school. In other words, his usual insecure, baiting shtick. Couple of things:
-I think Carly Simon said it best when she said "You're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you".
-I'm not going to shit on Michael's channel, which I really, really enjoy, by involving myself with your shit-show temper tantrum. Get help. Seriously.
It is surely a perceived conflict of interest when any reviewer gets a kick back or gratuity. No matter who the reviewer is, big or small.
Your point is so on the money and I totally agree. Love your shows very educational cheers and thanks for taking the time to put them together. Have a good one.
It's good to hear how well VMP is doing. I subscribed for years. I dropped my subscriptions last year only because I could not keep up with the listening. I'm old.
I concur. I’m a huge mobile fidelity fan. Even have some tshirts. I feel their packaging is not what it could be and especially at the vinyl pricing. I also get many of their digital product and amazed at how the the font is not straight and the photo quality feels like a copy of a copy. I would love to seem them freshen up the packaging to the next level.
I agree with you Michael. I actually have a reissue of this exact album with a gold foil inlay on the cover. I picked it up a few months back.
If we, as consumers, make our displeasure know to the company they have two choices, make changes or watch others pass them by.
I agree 100% Packaging is everything to the hobby of collecting vinyl. I got my copy of Eye In The Sky a few weeks ago and it sounds good but like you I was extremely disappointed in the packaging. I was expecting more for $65.00. I knew this one was coming so I passed on the Speakers Corner version. Now I wonder if I should have bought that version and saved some money.
No. This version sounds better than the Speakers Corner. I have both.
The Mo Fi is more dynamic, fuller sounding. I have both
I heard the inner sleeve advertisement is gone. People are saying its not in Local Hero release. It needs to go
We are buying the entire product experience when we indulge in vinyl. Having an ad inside a bare bones cardboard jacket for any record above 50 euros is like buying a slap to my face.
Hello Mr Eyeglasses I came from the future and, well you’re not gonna believe this, but
When Italy play in 1982 the final of football worldcup I was fifteen and at the end Italy won. All people celebrate victory. I put my new copy of Eye In The sky on turntable and I listen this magic album at heavy volume in the night.
... i do remember the final :-) you beat argentina and brasil if i am not mistaking
@@Michael45RPM yes you are right
Loved the tetra pack analogy! Perfect. You voice the feelings of many who feel that for the money they pay they deserve a product that delivers on quality -- not only musical quality.
Thanks for this! You have a respected voice in the vinyl community and I really think this could actually spark some change at MoFi. I appreciate you.
Yupp, totally agree. The packaging for vinyl is important. This is a physical medium and size and quality of the jackets are part of the reason we kept on buying vinyl. Yes the sound is also important, but high res steaming has something going for it, so the vinyl sellers need to keep their act together to keep the interest.
I totally agree with you, I bought a $49.99 album and after $9.89 shipping it was nearly $60.00! But analogue productions has free shipping after $49.00. Guess where I'm going!!
I agree with you regarding the stunning quality of VMP. But.. unfortunately when their package finally arrives at my doorsteps it is seldom the gatefold/jackets isn’t damaged.. guess bad luck! Perhaps their shipping packaging is improved over the course of time.. Great topic Michael! Shame on you mofi ;)
I must say in the last few months I’ve been getting bored with videos for new releases etc etc but Michael this I enjoyed and totally agree with you 👍👍 For the money being shared with expect a far better product and as you say other companies do it exceedingly well -hope to see more content like this as this was one of your best for a long time!!
I just received the Grateful Dead "Workingman's Dead" (which had a short repress) and they don't even include the two page advertisement anymore.
Dude can see into the future with them thick ass glasses
Great video. You are absolutely right. I agree. For that kind of money we can expect more for the total product. This is a disgrace of a product they deliver at the moment
This gave me flashbacks to architecture school pin-up critiques that could be brutal sometimes -but I totally agree. They need to step it up.
This is a very fair assessment. VMP has been really great at upping their jacket game. The PIR Anthology Box set are all stunners with custom matched vinyl to boot.
I ordered my copy the day it went on sale and still havent gotten it.and im in california.no replys on my emails
Same experience. Also in CA.
@@collectrify why do you think its taking so long? People from other states and countries are getting theres before us.lol it
Will be a month next week
@@danielreynosa1804 Yeah it's mystifying! I wish I knew!
Hi Michael,
I bought the Eye In The Sky today at one of my local stores ( That's almost a miracle here in Germany ). This was surely not because of the cover.
I absolutely agree with you on that topic.
The original pressings of eye in the sky come with an embossed and gold-foiled cover art. Mofi offers none of that. I think it's even worse with their one-step titles - here in Germany you pay 170-200 Euros for one of those copies and you don't even get a proper cover, just a lousy piece of cardboard depicting the cover art. If I compare that to AP's UHQR product for example...well...does mofi really think their product is competitive in this topic?
Aspects of a vinyl reissue in order of importance for me:
1. Source audio
2. Mastering
3. Pressing
4. Jacket quality
It would have to be a really bad cover to be more important than 1-3. If a label is going to skimp anywhere, I'd prefer it be the cover, rather than 1-3. Having said that, if it's being presented and priced as a top-notch, world-class reissue, it should have an awesome jacket, too.
Great video Michael…. I totally agree with your thoughts and opinions on this topic. I am relatively new to vinyl again. When I was getting back into it, I was told, you have to invest into Mofi pressings. My very first exposure to them was the blood sweat and tears one step. That pressing absolutely blew my mind!!!!! That is one of the best sounding pressings I have heard period. Then I got the Muddy Waters Folk Singer. Which, in my opinion is one of the greatest album ever. I compared that to my AP 45rpm version for $60 and I was not that impressed. Then it got worse with the EC Unplugged. The photo they used for the front is matte and so blurry. It is really bad. Plus their version of a jacket is horrible. There is so much more room for improvement. When I look at my AP album jacket it is so beautiful and sturdy great images and tons of info about the album. Not to mention no seam splits….
Look what Chad does with his UHQR SERIES. Now that is top of the line all the way!!!! You get the actual jacket and it is $25 less. Chad is absolutely killing it over there. Also, they have way more titles and so much of it is in stock most of the time…… you can tell that Chas would do this for free because he care so much about the music and the whole experience of owning vinyl. Where Mofi is a production line and just spitting out records without any thought or care behind it.
Mofi used to be the good standard the pinnacle, the bench mark to which everyone else espied to be like. One of my favorite quotes is from Lee Iacocca “You either lead, follow or get out of the way”
Come on Mofi, dust yourself off and get back to what made you the king of the hill…. Take back the crown and the throne. Let’s hope with their new pressing plane coming in 2023 and all these new titles and genera’s they are saying they will be doing, it will happen?
i was just at the grocery store and what used to cost me 18$ now costs 48$ .... and a tank of gas went from 30$ to 90$ .... unless you are financially successful or merely rich... i suspect over the next 2 years of recession/depression the vinyl fad will fade because they will have priced 80% of the population out of the "new audiophile pressing market" ... unfortunately vinyl will suffer while the public struggles to get to work and home and pay for food to keep their family alive....
That jacket looks like my old Mexican pressing from the 80s. My country was going through an ugly economic crisis at the time, so records had to be cheaper, with the consequent loss in terms of quality. Definitely not expected in a supposedly premium release.
I really enjoy your videos, Michael!
Agreed! I look at the Analogue Productions Alexander Nevsky LP, with its matte finish and thick, textured tip-on sheet, and shake my head at Mofi. I love Mofi, but we're in the 2020's! They need to get on the ball!
The best of it is ....for AP you got yourself a analogue record, as for Mofi, you paid USD80 for a CD that look like record. 😂😂
Hello Michael! I could not agree more. MOFI is one of my favorite labels but Impex, Analogue Productions and BN bring it all together. Don't forget MOFI, it comes down to Art. It's a visual as well as audio medium. I hope you get a response (I hope we all do).
Great video ,there’s nothing left to say. Keep up the good work!
You are the voice of the people!
There was a twist ahead.
I agree. There are several MoFi "coming soon" releases that I've decided not to buy. My confidence in them has dropped considerably especially when there are better companies now. The arrogance is not back up by the quality.
Besides their QC is truly disappointing, I have received "one steps" with the vinyl full of thick dust, outrageous for the price. Hope this improves when using new facility, not RTI.
I agree with you. The problem is: I am afraid MoFi would raise their prices even higher for better quality packaging. What is totally crazy about this is MoFi's parent company Music Direct know how to do this right. Music Direct prints a stunning high quality glossy yearly catalog which comes out at year end and is is like Audio Porn. I see it out at audiophiles listening room like you would a coffee table book in the Living Room. It is telling that they will do that to try to sell you a product. Once they have gotten you to pay for a MoFi LP their interest in presenting you with a quality experience seems to extend to the LP only.
What does a Music Direct catalogue have to do with the Mofi Lp covers? Nothing!
I literally circle the stuff I want, just like the Christmas catalog.
@@Matasky2010That is your opinion which you are certainly entitled to. I respectfully disagree. They go all out on the Music Direct catalog which shows they know how to provide a quality presentation. To me this shows they are more interested in getting you to buy a product than they are in providing you with a high quality cover on their own product.
I would say the sound is the most important thing, but for the price they charge I would think they could put a little more into the covers. Their competition certainly does.
@@jfm0830 Yes, but there are MANY Mofi covers that are very high quality- I have Allman Bros and Dylan titles whose covers feel like hardcover books. I get it- the Alan Parsons cover sucks, cool, but let's not dismiss Mofi altogether. As I pointed out before- the RECENT Mofi David Crosby cover was beautifully done, Michael even reviewed and praised it himself! An epic rant about one cover is absurd lol.
@@Matasky2010 I will agree that there have been some great covers, but there have also been some pretty mediocre covers. I think we can probably agree they should at least be as good as the original LP. That is why I didn't think the rant about Allan Parson was too over the top. This isn't the first LP cover that has been less than stellar. Now MoFi has far more completion than in the past.
Agee with you 100% .. for the price we are paying the artwork on the jacket and overall production are all part of the overall packaging we are paying a premium for .. it’s not good when a company starts taking advantage of loyal customers
I’m still waiting on my replacement copy of Eagles Desperado One Step. Mofi sent me two copies of LP No 1. (Missing LP No 2.) also the individual sleeves were damaged. I have 3 pending orders in with MoFi at the moment - and they’ve not shipped an order I placed 14 months ago. Pretty upsetting given what paid to them over the years. Not feeling very valued as a customer.
I absolutely agree. I'd also love to see MoFi try to market to a younger generation. Like you said, even Music On Vinyl seems to recognize this. I saw they reissued some old Chapterhouse that I guarantee MoFi wouldn't touch in a million years. Since the 2010's Shoegaze has had quite the revival with young music fans. They could even still stick with mainstream material if they wanted to, and still appeal to some young people. I'd quite like to see a remaster of something like 21 by Adele. Unfortunately, MoFi seems all too content to live in the past forever, and squeak by on their name alone. They should really be willing to consider some releases from within the past 20 years. There are some absolute classics that have come out since then
I agree packing is very important. I like to look packing while I listen, it’s part of the overall experience of listening to vinyl. The look and the feel are so important. I completely agree with you.
Therapy session! 😆 I do agree with you. Look at what Blue Note has been able to do with the Tone Poets - quality all around at a reasonable price.
I love your passion Michael, I feel exactly as you. This has always been an issue with MoFi & it defiantly comes across like let the peasants eat the crumbs we throw at them. These records are expensive by any measure, most people have to live within a budget forced to pick & choose carefully. The last thing you want your customer to feel is regret in spending his hard earned money on the product you sold them. You could never say this about Chad as he would never put out some of the things many other's seem to have no problem doing. Things are hot now but the day of reckoning with regards to the economy are soon to change things drastically. As they say in marketing, The best customer is the one you already have. The wheel turns MoFi, try to show more appreciation to the loyal customers that supported you. You may own the company but ultimately the customer is the true boss in the end.
You are 100% correct. Why do we need a gatefold advertising Mo-Fi products and turntables.....we already know about the company? It would be like Rolex or Mercedes-Benz stuffing flyers of their other product lines....if you know the brand, you do not need to be reinforced on its other products, it can be almost insulting to the consumer......much like going into a fine steak house and being explained or reaffirmed that you ordered you steak medium rare and not medium.
Im waiting on my AP Eye and you are absolutely correct! We are paying for every bit of the title, Sound quality, cover quality etc! We are paying for the experience of top of the line audio. Im sad they cheapen out for a dollar vs reputation and customer satisfaction.
I purchase Mofi albums on a regular basis. I like what they do on a musical basis. I especially like the One Steps. I appreciate your points on the covers and advertisement materials. It would be nice if they upped their game. They push SACD’s as well as vinyl. I don’t know how well those sell.
That product never took off in a big way, though it has been available since the late 1990 ‘s. Mofi should stick to vinyl with the improvements that you note.
You go Michael!! I love MOFI, but we should always be demanding better value for our $.. records are so expensive already, we should at least get what we are paying for
I'd hate to be the dealer when this guy comes to buy a new car! He'd be a real headache
Lmao, good one.
I agree with you 💯! I'm a art director and seeing poor quality artwork is such a turnoff no matter the price. I just got back into Vinyl at the beginning of the pandemic, and to me, the artwork is just as important as the sound. So if one or the other is poor, I won't buy the record. Keep voicing your opinion, without it, change won't happen👊🏻🙏🏻🎶
The last Mofi's i bought were the Dire Straits titles. Not interested in any of the One-Steps musically so far, and the latest titles don't appeal to be. Craft is doing great stuff, in a single pocket tip-on for 33 rpm, which is my preferred format. My biggest pet peeve is that Blue Note doesn't put the Classic Series records in a decent jacket. Mofi's biggest sin in ruining every piece of album artwork with their stupid banner, and not using the original record label graphics on the centre labels, substituting their own logos. Mofi has to really be a definitive vinyl version of the title for me to consider buying it, and overlooking all the things they do that I feel are extremely poor choices.
If Blue Note did that the records would be Tone Poet’s. That’s why the Classic Series records are cheaper
@@madteam3parents773 exactly the point. They don't need to be cheaper
@@derosa1989 What's your complaint? They give you the option- pay premium for the beautiful Tone Poet, or get the equally great sounding Classic in a lesser cover at a lower price.
@Mr. Big Squid Then buy a Tone Poet! We're lucky to even have the option- thank you Blue Note!
@@derosa1989Says who? Why should I have to continue spending mid $30's when I can get great music at $10 less?
Thank you for this great video; the packaging or the expensive releases should always have superior color reproduction on covers, of photos and more. With the prices so high, why not?
Couldn't agree more Michael! Mofi packaging efforts on non one step is abysmal. I buy most my albums from Analogue Productions, enough said!
I have a Canadian OG of "Eye in the Sky" I guess they couldn't access the original negatives used for the photos?? Your experience in advertising gives you a keen eye for the marketing end of things, Michael. They should hire you ... but doubt they could afford you. 😉
I totally agree with you Michael! 🥰🙌🤗♥️
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever
John Keats
Twenty Thousand Subscribers 20,000 and growing. Congratulations Michael 🎂🎉🍻
The most honest and free speech feedback I have seen/ heard, in this community; I am totally with you Michael💪. This accounts in a larger scale too, but let's start here, in a open respectful discussion. Great work Michael, thanks, Toby
I so agree with you! So many poorly manufactured records these days...And the prices!!! I have an ever expanding black list of manufacturers. I am putting so many new issues in my wish list to buy in a few years to see if some better pressings come around instead of buying the current junk that comes out of Optimal, MPO, CZ media and the like...Greed and disrespect for the customer and the products. Where is the pride for a job well done! No QC whatsoever...Sad.
It’s all about perceived value. Mofi’s is taking a massive hit.
You know you are right! We pay a lot of money for these albums and with the hype and waiting so long for the release dates only to be disappointed! MOFI has been doing these substandard albums all the while going up in price! As a professional photographer more than 35 years, I have demanded quality and expect it and anything less is insulting! I feel ya!
Your statement around 13:30 about if it were a 15 dollar record is spot on. I feel the MoFi releases are way over priced for what you get. I only buy the MoFi SACDs decent to crappy packaging, really good sound 30 US dollars at most. I just can't justify spending what they are charging for the vinyl records so I look for NM original releases usually.
I agree Michael. When purchasing a high end archival record it should be presented as such. The recent Eric Clapton release has an awful blurry picture as well.
If this is the end, I hope the CSN couch album comes out soon. Really want this one and hope the quality is there.
Well said. Really well said. We, especially in Europe, are being taken to the cleaners. £90 average for Audio Analogue and MoFi in UK. Related subject. On your list of who should get the audiophile pressing treatment can you add Donovan? Excellent original LP’s. I guess you already have Bowie?🤔
First I truly appreciate your passion for what you do and your willingness to call out inferior work. At the price point we are paying there should not be any excuses for this type of workmanship. I listen to you regularly and please stay safe and keep these videos coming
Bravo Micheal, Bravo!! I truly respect you having the guts to call out one of the giants in the industry. I agree that it is ultimately the music that matters, but we do purchase vinyl for the entire package, otherwise we would just stream the music. A very big part of what drew me back into vinyl was the total tactile experience. Removing the lp, placing it on the platter to play and sit back and enjoy the cover art, liner notes and credits, etc. I have only bought a couple dozen so far, but the AP titles have so far been the highest quality. Watching a few videos put out by Chad Kassem his passion is evident, and it shows in his product. Please don't change a thing, we value your honest opinion. Best regards, Bob Ratliff.
I wasn't convinced of your complaint until you bring up the $80 price tag. For that price the cover should at least replicate the original, and certainly shouldn't be of lower quality. Acoustic Sounds' releases are less than half that price, and have amazing packaging.
This is so true for many industries. We can also have pleasant surprises too.