Fred of Sam Records posted the following on the Steve Hoffman forum on 11 April 2022 in response to a question about the change in pressing plants: "Hello, I've moved from Pallas to Optimal in October 2020 for two reasons. Quality reason, 80% of my last title pressed by Pallas were defective (Billy Harper). They have repressed these but i need to prove that all records were defectives. The second reason is that Pallas changed manufacturing deadlines without warning. They went from 4 to 9 months. I had been working with Pallas for 10 years and I did not find this very correct. Best regards, Fred"
Pallas is definitely overloaded with work. But as I heard they are planning to expand. I remember we visited the factory with a delegation of the Analogue Audio Association more than ten years ago and they said business was booming. Who would have expected that vinyl will be even much more in demand in 2022? I certainly did not expect such a development.
Hi Michael, I ordered this after watching this great content. It has only just arrived. This guy Fred is a true gentleman. He emailed me personally after he posted it a bit late explaining why. Next level customer service and bespoke vinyl work. This is one guy not a big company. The vinyl sounds great.
I received my copy today. There was little time left before going to work so I just did the initial cleaning in the RCM and put the jackets and records in archival sleeves. This record is my first spin tomorrow! Oh...Love the picture and session photos too.
Thx for your profound analysis. Equipment is really a threshold when it comes to junge about the best pressing and Mastering. My journey moved me from m ortofon 2m black mm to hana sl and from project tt to rega. What a huge huge difference with this change. Examples: talk talks recommendsble spirit of Edens original pressing now is on par with the current b2b pressing. Having said this, I'd go for the Lester 9.0 and I will be satisfied. I acknowledge the quality hop of optimal pressings compared to the past.
Nice Michael....I went into Sam records website and I saw shipping on the Lester Young started May 15....so I hope I will get my copy here in Brooklyn New York...can't wait....all the best 👌.....Ed 😎🎶🎵🎶🌄
I really appreciate your feedback. Fred does such a great job in getting these marvelous records out. I think your reviews are very helpful and really do enjoy hearing about your feedback.
In any case Lester Young was one of the greats. Here in New York, his son. Lester Young, Jr. is an important official of the Department of Education in Albany.
Michael! You bugger. You got me so excited about this Prez release that I just now ordered it from Sam Records directly. Have a great weekend buddy! Best from Philly USA, Tommy
So very grateful for your kind attention to the jacket art and quality of the packaging materials. As you often say "A must have!" I'll also be picking up the two volumes of Donald Byrd in Paris as well. Not looking forward to seeing the shipping costs to the USA. Welcome to your world I guess! You are costing me many Euros my fine German friend! Gute Nacht!
I’m glad you did this video since it reminded my that I ordered one from Sam’s. Can’t wait to get it. I love this label, I wish he could get them out faster but I guess it gives me something to look forward too.
I’m surprised that the much earlier recording has better low end since we’ve become more bass hungry over time. I have this on order so I hope it sounds good on my system. I also have several other Sam Records LPs and so far I think they’re ok. Nothing particularly special. Certainly not TP or current Blue Note Classic level.
It would be really unfortunate if these records are someone’s first exposure to Lester Young. He was barely a shell of himself at this point. People really need to hear Lester’s recordings from the 30s, 40s and through about 1956 to properly understand his greatness. This is much more important than the pressing or the jacket.
@@KS-yy2fu his work on Aladdin. His trio record with Nat Cole and Buddy Rich. And most importantly all his work with the Count Basie Orchestra. Incidentally Charlie Parker, as a teenager, could play all of Lester Young's recorded solos in all twelve keys.
Gut zu sehen, besseres Licht, bessere Kamera u. Michaels getönte Brille. :-) Same = Qualität der besonderen Art. Durch dich schrumpft mein Konto intensiv in den Keller. Ein Trost, dafür wächst nun stets der Vinyl - Schatz. ❤️Heike
I think any individual release can jump in order (and with Sam , Optimal usually does), but this would be my general ranking: 1) RTI (tight between these two) 1.5) Pallas 3) Optimal ... (some space here) 4) QRP
@@jt-hn6ur Yes, I know I am in the minority, but I have had terrible luck with QRP. Too many noisy LPs. I would say maybe its my system, but with the other 3 (especially RTI), I rarely have this problem.
Agree with where you put QRP as their vinyl is very hit and miss.. I have been getting some noisy and expensive vinyl from them lately. I got 3 sets of replacement discs for the Aaron Neville - warm your heart 45rpm before they admitted it was a bad batch and the new batch was better...still took 3 of those discs to get 2 good ones.
Was the one done at optimal a recut? If so, the difference could be a small mastering choice here or there. If same metal work, it’s definitely interesting that the Pallas would have a different sonic character. Not surprising, but interesting none the less.
Hallo Michael, wo bekomme ich diese 10" Schutzhüllen, die Du hier mit der Lester Young 10" kurz zeigst? Ich hab mich doof und dämlich gesucht und nirgends gefunden. Vielen Dank! :)
Fred must have put yours in the post ahead of everyone else :) I per-ordered mine Apr 30th and was only shipped today. Did receive a nice email from him however and of course, he's just one guy doing all this. In the end, it's all about the quality of the music and on that front, Sam pressings are always superb.
@@BiggestApple i think I ordered it in the first 5-10 minutes from the moment it became available on the website. 😎 April 30 was the day it was available to order it I think.
@@deadquietvinyl Then we ordered pretty much at the same time. I ordered on April 30th within the first 20mins of it becoming available. Mine is due to arrive today so not an issue really but does suggest the order of shipment might not have been inline with date/time of order. So it goes.
Sam recirds may benefit from exchanging notes with their fellow french reissue label, Lost recordings. They plate at QRP and press at Optimal. Pure speculation but Sam quality cant by definition match a tone poet because according to Chad the metal at these plants are polished lossing frquency response.. a particular Sam record may sound better than a tone poet perhaps due to the recording or tape age but that same Sam title would sound better if plated and pressed at RTI and mastered by Kevin Gray.. my 2 cents.
I will no longer purchase Sam Records. Over the years I have purchased most every one and Fred was very good at answering emails and replacing a couple of defective records. Recently though, I have sent Fred no less than 5 re-sent emails... all without reply.... I have filled out his 'contact form' on his website because he is not answering emails... and he still does not reply. At this point I can only assume he is refusing to message me, so I will just spend my money elsewhere.
Fred of Sam Records posted the following on the Steve Hoffman forum on 11 April 2022 in response to a question about the change in pressing plants:
"Hello, I've moved from Pallas to Optimal in October 2020 for two reasons. Quality reason, 80% of my last title pressed by Pallas were defective (Billy Harper). They have repressed these but i need to prove that all records were defectives. The second reason is that Pallas changed manufacturing deadlines without warning. They went from 4 to 9 months. I had been working with Pallas for 10 years and I did not find this very correct. Best regards, Fred"
Pallas is definitely overloaded with work. But as I heard they are planning to expand. I remember we visited the factory with a delegation of the Analogue Audio Association more than ten years ago and they said business was booming. Who would have expected that vinyl will be even much more in demand in 2022? I certainly did not expect such a development.
Thanks for sharing this.. cheers
Thanks for getting that thread out for us.
Love that ominous thunder as the verdict is being delivered. Perfect timing!
Hi Michael, I ordered this after watching this great content. It has only just arrived. This guy Fred is a true gentleman. He emailed me personally after he posted it a bit late explaining why. Next level customer service and bespoke vinyl work. This is one guy not a big company. The vinyl sounds great.
I received my copy today. There was little time left before going to work so I just did the initial cleaning in the RCM and put the jackets and records in archival sleeves. This record is my first spin tomorrow! Oh...Love the picture and session photos too.
Nice one Michael, mines in the post, very much looking forward to getting it
Thx for your profound analysis. Equipment is really a threshold when it comes to junge about the best pressing and Mastering. My journey moved me from m ortofon 2m black mm to hana sl and from project tt to rega. What a huge huge difference with this change. Examples: talk talks recommendsble spirit of Edens original pressing now is on par with the current b2b pressing. Having said this, I'd go for the Lester 9.0 and I will be satisfied. I acknowledge the quality hop of optimal pressings compared to the past.
I’m so happy with Hana cartridges! I have the ML and it’s nothing but magic 💯
Nice Michael....I went into Sam records website and I saw shipping on the Lester Young started May 15....so I hope I will get my copy here in Brooklyn New York...can't wait....all the best 👌.....Ed 😎🎶🎵🎶🌄
I really appreciate your feedback. Fred does such a great job in getting these marvelous records out. I think your reviews are very helpful and really do enjoy hearing about your feedback.
I was able to order a copy from within the US. Great record, very happy with both the pressing and the music.
In any case Lester Young was one of the greats. Here in New York, his son. Lester Young, Jr. is an important official of the Department of Education in Albany.
Michael! You bugger. You got me so excited about this Prez release that I just now ordered it from Sam Records directly. Have a great weekend buddy! Best from Philly USA, Tommy
So very grateful for your kind attention to the jacket art and quality of the packaging materials. As you often say "A must have!" I'll also be picking up the two volumes of Donald Byrd in Paris as well. Not looking forward to seeing the shipping costs to the USA. Welcome to your world I guess! You are costing me many Euros my fine German friend! Gute Nacht!
Acoustic Sounds carries Sam Records, though I don't think they have this. I just bought the 3 Chet Baker Paris recordings.
The In Groove carries Sam Records in the US.
I loved your spectacles ! where can i get them ?
Danke Michael. I have Afternoon in Paris from Sam Records and it is excellent. Any recommendations what I should get next?
I’m glad you did this video since it reminded my that I ordered one from Sam’s. Can’t wait to get it. I love this label, I wish he could get them out faster but I guess it gives me something to look forward too.
Thunder is great ambient!! 😉
I’m surprised that the much earlier recording has better low end since we’ve become more bass hungry over time. I have this on order so I hope it sounds good on my system. I also have several other Sam Records LPs and so far I think they’re ok. Nothing particularly special. Certainly not TP or current Blue Note Classic level.
Mine is on its way across the ocean, and in really looking forward to it. Interesting comparison between the two pressing plants.
Have this on order with a couple others. Looking forward to hearing it.
It would be really unfortunate if these records are someone’s first exposure to Lester Young. He was barely a shell of himself at this point. People really need to hear Lester’s recordings from the 30s, 40s and through about 1956 to properly understand his greatness. This is much more important than the pressing or the jacket.
Just ordered my copy. Pls let me now where to start in addition to this. Thx.
@@KS-yy2fu his work on Aladdin. His trio record with Nat Cole and Buddy Rich. And most importantly all his work with the Count Basie Orchestra. Incidentally Charlie Parker, as a teenager, could play all of Lester Young's recorded solos in all twelve keys.
@@KS-yy2fu what Joe said, and also into the 50s his work with Oscar Peterson is great, as is the Pres and Teddy record.
@@Joe-yi8xj Thank you, Joe.
@@xentakis Thank you xentakis
Okay question ! How many pairs of glasses do u actually own ? :) BTW I really like your reviews and analysis :) Respect from India ..
Gut zu sehen, besseres Licht, bessere Kamera u. Michaels getönte Brille. :-)
Same = Qualität der besonderen Art.
Durch dich schrumpft mein Konto intensiv in den Keller.
Ein Trost, dafür wächst nun stets der Vinyl - Schatz.
❤️Heike
My copy coming tomorrow. I'm worried now. Was it clean? I'm sure Fred wouldn't take a punt on quality
Superduper Video !!! Many Thanks!!!
I think any individual release can jump in order (and with Sam , Optimal usually does), but this would be my general ranking:
1) RTI
(tight between these two)
1.5) Pallas
3) Optimal
... (some space here)
4) QRP
Wait QRP is forth on the list??? I would put QRP at number two or even one.
@@jt-hn6ur Yes, I know I am in the minority, but I have had terrible luck with QRP. Too many noisy LPs. I would say maybe its my system, but with the other 3 (especially RTI), I rarely have this problem.
@@jt-hn6ur Agreed... I'd put Optimal below QRP and the "space" for sure.
@@jt-hn6ur Agreed, I have dozens of QRPs and had issues maybe one or two times, and minor ones.
Agree with where you put QRP as their vinyl is very hit and miss.. I have been getting some noisy and expensive vinyl from them lately.
I got 3 sets of replacement discs for the Aaron Neville - warm your heart 45rpm before they admitted it was a bad batch and the new batch was better...still took 3 of those discs to get 2 good ones.
Hope to hear your thoughts on Stones 'el mocambo'.
Mine is on its way from France. It has bit further to travel to get to me.
Was the one done at optimal a recut? If so, the difference could be a small mastering choice here or there. If same metal work, it’s definitely interesting that the Pallas would have a different sonic character. Not surprising, but interesting none the less.
Hallo Michael, wo bekomme ich diese 10" Schutzhüllen, die Du hier mit der Lester Young 10" kurz zeigst? Ich hab mich doof und dämlich gesucht und nirgends gefunden. Vielen Dank! :)
Vinyl Storage Solutions
Love the new eyeglasses
So, a grade of 9.0, with the rare bonus LP included, or a 9.5 with no bonus record. I will easily choose the 9.0, and grade it myself.
sam Records have a digital step also, like the mofis .
Fred must have put yours in the post ahead of everyone else :) I per-ordered mine Apr 30th and was only shipped today. Did receive a nice email from him however and of course, he's just one guy doing all this. In the end, it's all about the quality of the music and on that front, Sam pressings are always superb.
I received it days ago. My guess is he takes them from the order list
@@deadquietvinyl Most likely. Did you order yours well before April 30th?
@@BiggestApple i think I ordered it in the first 5-10 minutes from the moment it became available on the website. 😎 April 30 was the day it was available to order it I think.
@@deadquietvinyl Then we ordered pretty much at the same time. I ordered on April 30th within the first 20mins of it becoming available. Mine is due to arrive today so not an issue really but does suggest the order of shipment might not have been inline with date/time of order. So it goes.
@@BiggestApple then I don’t know 🤷🏻♂️
Where are you buying your glasses frames?
Henau its French
@@Michael45RPM Many thanks. I would have asked you at Munich as Volker said you were dropping by, but alas I missed you. Keep up the great reviewing.
👌👌
Sam recirds may benefit from exchanging notes with their fellow french reissue label, Lost recordings. They plate at QRP and press at Optimal. Pure speculation but Sam quality cant by definition match a tone poet because according to Chad the metal at these plants are polished lossing frquency response.. a particular Sam record may sound better than a tone poet perhaps due to the recording or tape age but that same Sam title would sound better if plated and pressed at RTI and mastered by Kevin Gray.. my 2 cents.
New eyeglasses?
I will no longer purchase Sam Records.
Over the years I have purchased most every one and Fred was very good at answering emails and replacing a couple of defective records.
Recently though, I have sent Fred no less than 5 re-sent emails... all without reply.... I have filled out his 'contact form' on his website because he is not answering emails... and he still does not reply.
At this point I can only assume he is refusing to message me, so I will just spend my money elsewhere.
This guy spends as much on eyeglasses as he does on records
Good video Michael. very enlightening