Hank Mobley, Soul Station. Right when I starting listening to it, it struck me as EXCELLENT SOUNDING. Best Classic series so far in sound. I’ve bought every Classic Series up til now.
I received the first two classic albums with scuffs as well. I realized that they had so much static causing the paper sleeve to scuff the album upon pulling it out. I now carefully tear the paper sleeve off and have had some success with that. Good luck everyone.
Great comparison! I’m very happy to finally own my Favorite Jazz album MOANIN on this Blue Note classic Series. But as you talk about that SRX I really would love to have a copy of this version for my collection. Grüße ✌🏼
Great video! I was looking forward to “Moanin’” more, but after hearing “Soul Station” I kept spinning Soul Station. Both of my copies came in beautiful shape.
I purchased both these Classic Vinyl Series records and will be listening to them this Friday. Kevin Grays mastering on this new series is fantastic. I've heard this is the last time the original blue note master tapes will be used.
Happy to say that someone from Optimal has responded to my email and said that they will approach the quality control dept on this issue. Lets hope for the best! The Optimal pressings I had in the pass were mostly amazing! I cleaned both the Blakey and Mobley. They are better now, but still not Mint, between NM and EX (visually VG). I still had to return one because it had additional pressing defects.
The art Blakely moaning has been on my want list for a minute! Dude always like watching your videos always learn something new from you,. I'm not blowing smoke at you or anything but you really do a great job! Peace
thanks to Michael for the inspiration to buy the 22 SRX LPs from Music Matters last month before everything is irrevocably gone. The edition of 300 pieces per LP speaks for itself
I got the classic series of Moaning and was quite surprised how great it sounded. Didn't think it would be that well done. Thanks for your honest review as always Michael
I bought both Classis Series Mobley and Blakey but had to return two different copies of Moanin' because they both had very bad scuffs/scratches on both sides right out of the sleeve. I guess third time is the charm. Finally got an acceptable record. The copy of Mobley I received had minor scuffs, but sounds good. I have bought all of the previous Classic Series releases and this is the first time I had any quality issues like this.
Michael- I have started using Vinyl Solutions sleeves thanks to you and love them. What do use for a record like Analogue Productions 45rpm Ella and Louis, which is a double lp packaged in a single oversized sleeve? I currently only have the 4ml double pocket resealables, so I have both of the records stuffed in the outer pocket. Is that what you do? If not, how would you recommend treating a double lp in in a single sleeve, non-gatefold jacket? Thank you for your time.
Hi Michael. Great episode as usual. In regards to Art Blakey's Moanin', I own two versions. The Blue Note and the Wax Time. I've only listened to the Blue Note and the remastering is top notch. I know Wax Time has a mixed reputation, but I will compare the both versions. Should be interesting. I'll let you know the results.
Michael awesome comparison I have the a classic Records 200g and music matters 45rpm I missed out on the SRX my only issue with these Classic series pressing issues groove distortion and marks which I encounter with the reissues those SRX going to be at $1000 before you know it every one is collecting vinyl reissues going out of print fast it’s definitely hard to keep up great episode Michael this is very informative. Lovellandrew
It's really interesting that you say this because I have the Bluenote 75th anniversary edition and just bought the new Classic edition mastered by Kevin Gray and thought the new edition would blow it away. To my surprise, they were basically identical (maybe the noise floor on the 75th was a little louder) but pretty much the same... One of my favourite jazz albums of all time btw.
Hi, excellent video!. Congrads! Michael you metion that the Blue Note Classic Series of Hank Mobley can be found in Germany for 25€. Could you please share with us where? Here in Spain impossible to find any of these Classic Series records for less that 40€.
Michael you are correct get them, Wayne Shorter’s Speak no Evil and Lee Morgan’s the Sidewinder in the Bluenote Classic form has sold out quicker than any other Bluenote Classic. Yes they are probably coming back, but no one knows when. They were sold out within the first three weeks. I didn’t wait for the Hank Mobley and Art Blakey, I preordered them.
Micheal nice shoot out....last nicêwhen I got home from my gig I heard my 2 Blue Notes that were reissued back in 1997 180 gram all analog and they sound great....I never had the chance to buy the Music Matters version even thou I have other titles by them on 45rpm....and you are right if these reissues come out you must buy soon or buy the ones you like and can afford....last week I got some 4 records from Music Matters only heard 2 so far.....fantastic....looking forward with your video with Mazzy....all the best as always....Ed in NYC Brooklyn.....😎🗽🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶
That is nice to hear about the Soul Station reissue! I need that title. It is also not surprising to hear that the Moanin' SRX came out on top. I have found that even in direct comparison with the regular MM 33 the SRX is more dynamic with the drum fills more fluent and well defined. I don't really understand how this can be because both the SRX and the regular MM 33 should be using the same master. It shouldn't be THAT different?? The Moanin' SRX almost sounds like a different mastering. This is how it is with my copies at least. Love your videos by the way - I need to find some curtains like that!
I compared my copy of Moanin with my double 45rpm Acoustic Sounds version and I thought the Classic reissue was very close, but the double 45 had more air and space around instruments. For £25 I thought it was excellent. I don’t like what they’ve done with the cover though and interestingly they didn’t include Lee Morgan telling RVG that he comes in real loud on the Classic reissue! Hank Mobley was really very very good too but I don’t have another reissue to compare against. I thought Soul Station was probably the better sounding of the 2
Hi there! I just got the 45rpm of We get Requests... half a day after i got it, the acoustic sounds version of it was announced.. I now wonder if it would be worth the waiting to send back the 45 and get the AS version instead. The cover of the 45 just annoys me a bit
so far I love the Classic Series, however with this delivery both LP jackets had major seam splits. They were packaged well so who knows what happened.
Got the 2 Classic Series a couple weeks ago, I have the same issue with the extreme panning on "Moanin'", although, it's still a great sounding record. Soul Station is on my top 5 favorite jazz records ever, and I totally agree, this edition sounds amazing, I compared it with the 75th edition mastered by Bernie Grundman (I think not AAA), and that one sounds quite different from the new one, more "air"(you hear the reverb more), a little more forward midrange, it stills sounds good, but totally different from the new one. Sadly, I did get an issue on my Soul Station at the end of the last song of side B, there's a weird "laser beam" like sound, it's very short, but still a bummer. I'll get another copy in few months, when there's another pressing. All the best from Chile!
i have the first 8 titles in the series, so far my pressings have been clean, the only issues i've had is 5 titles with dishing. henderson - minor dish horace silver - flat McCoy - minor dish Morgan Sidewinder - flat wayne shorter - flat cannonball adderly - very dished blakey moan' - dished mobley soul station - very dished
Both Soul Station and Moanin' arrived extremely scuffed. Moanin' looked like someone had rubbed it with a light sandpaper. I was really disappointed, as I was looking forward to Moanin' more than anything else in the Classic Series. I preordered both of these through Music Direct the day they went on sale. MD was great about being willing to exchange, but I have to wait until they do another pressing, as they have no copies to currently exchange for the records I sent back. I'm really disappointed, especially as everything else in the series has been outstanding up until this point. Thank you for your observations, Michael. I learn so much from your channel.
Today my local dealer handled me out my Classic-Series-Albums no. 13 to no. 15! One of them was Moanin by Blakey. I ordered 17 albums of this serie in December 2021. I don't get the issues some people complain about pressing qualitiy etcetc.! All of my LPs are in fantastic quality and they sound absolutely great! Even if the SRX might sound better the bluenote classic is still a steal and compared to the originals sounds better (I have originals of Moanin, meet you at the jazz corner and something else.)
Two brilliant, brilliant albums. But yes, the problem is do we put up with the inconsistent quality (sometimes mastering but more often questionable pressing quality) of the classic series or pay somewhere between highly inflated (when first released) to ridiculous prices (once sold out) for the SXR versions. I have Dexter Gordon's fantastic One Flight Up on preorder (my first Tone Poet) and I'm just hoping RTI's pressing quality is up to the level of the music on the album.
Just ordered Soul Station yesterday, good to know its the closest since I dont have that one on MMJ. I should have got a Moanin MMJ for 100$ when I had the chance.
I was just able to find a sealed copy of the Analogue Productions 45 rpm 2 lp limited numbered edition from 2008 mastered at Acoustech by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman which has the same cover as the SRX. I felt very fortunate in finding it and bought it over the SRX because it was $224 delivered versus almost $400 for the SRX. It came all the way from Istanbul, Turkey and made it here (northern NH, USA) in less than 72 hours!! I wish I could compare to the SRX, but alas never will be able to. It sure does sound fantastic, and most definitely destroys the classic Blue Note Series that is available now. Has anyone out there heard this version in comparison to others? Thank You!
Good to hear about Soul Station. Moaning is my favorite jazz recording and I just didn’t like the cover. In both cases, I’ve heard that there are problems with the releases so I’m going to pass on them.
I'm glad for you that you have ended up with great copies. I'm also thinking about purchasing a "Vinyl Flat", getting very tired of receiving dished records, many dished records. Hopefully this will be a safe solution, especially with my Led Zeppelin III 200g Classic. Ok, I'm done with my rant, thanks.
I have moanin" as the "NY mono" from 1962 and the "Soul Station" as the "Classic records" from 2004. Both classic series are more natural. The 62 moanin is great but maybe a little overplayed but with more dynamic. The 2004 classic record reissue is in my opinion to harsh in the top ends. The comparison between the mono and stereo versions are a not really comparable because I use different turntables and cartridges (kuzma with shelter for mono // rega pl8 with Apheta2 for stereo). I would Start to buy the classic series - great value. Grüße
Felt the same way about these classic titles. McCoy was the biggest disappointment for me in the series, but these two sound amazing. I have both as 70s blue label blue notes, pristine, they feel more punchy but not so detailed and clear. Kevin Gray knocked it out of the park. I’m quite pleased. And this time they came is plastic inner sleeves, not paper
Another honest and great video as always, Michael. Just wondering because you didn’t touch the point here; do you know why the Classic series didn’t use the original cover of Moanin’? I think that is also a clear difference when compared with the MMJ cover art.
@@Michael45RPM No worries. I actually found the answer in one of the comments here. Aparrently, it is has to do with the stereo/mono covers. It seems the Classic series actually got it right.
The SRX and BN Classics are not really substitutes and that's probably part of why the price for the SRXs would go up, because people are seeing that the BN Classics are great, but will not replace them. The prospect of any BN Classics giving an SRX a run for a money is an exceptional feat of ingenuity and care, which sounds like was achieved at least for the Soul Station and Sidewinder, and not so far off for a couple of the others! So I love BN Classics, for the price and the accessibility... at the same time, I would totally pay $35 instead of $25 to get these top tier jazz classics over to the Tone Poets level of production at least. I wish they would all just be Tone Poets.
Not sure it's essential to compare different pressings of the same stereo version. I think if you have the SRX version, the interesting comparison for some of these earlier titles is with a mono cut. Mono vs Stereo is the more significant decision.
OH MY GOODNESS!! Michael...You are so correct in your assessment!! What a huge difference between these two pressings of Moanin'!! I am assuming your SRX sounds as good as the one I was able to get. The new classic Blue Note does not even come close to the the 2008 one I've got. I don't know if it because the master tape is older or?? Kevin Gray was involved with both. Not that the new one is 'bad', but the other is simply in a different league of musical experience while listening. Thanks very much for your video!, Michel
Kind of glad (well, kind of!) to see I am not the only one to have some issues with the BN Classics reissues. My worst experience has to be with Horace Silver Song for my Father. The best track on the record (at least for me) Lonely Woman which is a beautiful ballad was full hisses, pops and tics on the 3 copies I got and now I'm stuck with a deficient LP since the record seems to be sold out. A huge bummer! I had the same experience with Moanin' but at least my second copy is listenable. As for Soul Station, the record itself plays decently but the cover was thrashed! (split at the seams, bent corners, etc.) Dunno what's going on with that series (mass production = poor quality control!?!), at least here in America (I live in Montreal... which is also the reason for my poor english!). Anyway, sorry for the bitching Michael cause I really like your channel and your soothing presence. Peace people!
With all respect but cant say same about BN Classic series, at least based on Somethin' Else record, which I dont find to be at the same level as AP, MM or Classic Records. These giants are totally differ leage. The only thing that makes this BN on same level is the pressing quality, which is fantastic on my record, but thats it. Other than that, more I listen to Somethin' Else from BN classic series, less I like it. So, no wonder MM prices are going up. Personally, I am disapointed and doubting about getting more of BN Classic series that are comming soon. On the other hand, interesting to hear your comment that Hank Mobley is very close to MM version, which make me wonder how Somethin' Else from MM will sound against BN, can you compare these Michael, would be great to hear your opinion. Thx Sergei.
Not sure if anyone gives a damn but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new movies on Instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks :)
For Moanin'? Blue Note did two different artwork covers, one for Stereo and one for Mono, the Classic Series cover art is correct for the Stereo version. Very early original stereo copies used the same mono art, with an applied gold "stereo" sticker, (Somthin' Else is another tile with that stereo sticker) Later stereo copies of Moanin' have the revised art. The Music Matters Moanin' uses the mono jacket, even though they used the stereo cut.
@@LagunaRider1961 An original early pressed stereo copy would have had the gold "stereo" sticker attached to a mono jacket, i think that's what MMJ were going for by using the mono cover, like the very first Moanin' stereo pressing. This was standard Blue Note practice in the transition from Mono to Stereo. Many of the early Stereo titles came out months or more later than the original mono, the early stereo copies would just take a mono jacket and put on the "stereo" sticker. The most obvious way to tell if they redesigned the art for the new Stereo release is the catalog number starts with "8", So the mono Moanin' has catalog number 4003 and stereo jacket is 84003.
My Blue Note Classic Series copy of Moanin' (bought this week - January 2024) had several, brief 'crunch' sounds on the left channel throughout side one. Very unpleasant. Disc looks fine visually and a nice, flat pressing apart from that. It's going back though because I'm not that impressed with the sound on this release, which sounds a little harsh and lacks warmth on my midrange system.
Please! Do not get involved in these ridiculously priced re-issues that are being offered by record Flippers, there are lots of great Audiophile records out there from AP, Speakers Corner, SAM records, Tone Poet and many more, all at sensible prices, so there is no need to line (Flippers) pockets with their insane valuations.
Disappointed with MOANIN' Pre ordered from AMAZON jacket had creases on the bottom corners and it look like it was thrown around in a parking lot. Scuffs scratches looked like someone used sandpaper on the vinyl Returned the album back to AMAZON Got my second copy jacket was perfect ( don't like the art work original much better) Vinyl was just as bad no improvement Returned it again to AMAZON this time they refused to send me a third copy got a refund Won't be ordering anymore BLUE NOTE CLASSIC SERIES
Its funny Michael how you always seem to get lucky and get nice clean flat records when most of us receive the same albums warped and/or scuffed...Not sure you’re always 100% honest...Don’t worry, I still like your channel.
Tried 2 copies of the Blakey and 1 Mobley and the pressings are horrible, not sure what's going on. The other Classic Series albums are fine, the 80 series pressings were fine? Interesting, this seems to be happening with the introduction to the poly lined inner sleeves? Looks like they were wiped with burlap or steel wool. Also there are parts of the record that have a ripping sound which is often the "string of pearls" pressing defect. Is it possible that Amazon receives the defective vinyl from Optimal? Does Optimal have more than one pressing plant? I wrote to Optimal, I hope they look into this. It would be a shame that poor pressings would keep me from continuing this series.
Hank Mobley, Soul Station. Right when I starting listening to it, it struck me as EXCELLENT SOUNDING. Best Classic series so far in sound. I’ve bought every Classic Series up til now.
I always look forward to these shootout comparisons. Fascinating & informative. Thank you Michael.
I received the first two classic albums with scuffs as well. I realized that they had so much static causing the paper sleeve to scuff the album upon pulling it out. I now carefully tear the paper sleeve off and have had some success with that. Good luck everyone.
Thank you for this one. Looking forward to your video with Mazzy. Cheers.
Very nice, Michael. Have to check out the Hank Mobley ...
Great comparison! I’m very happy to finally own my Favorite Jazz album MOANIN on this Blue Note classic Series. But as you talk about that SRX I really would love to have a copy of this version for my collection. Grüße ✌🏼
Great video! I was looking forward to “Moanin’” more, but after hearing “Soul Station” I kept spinning Soul Station. Both of my copies came in beautiful shape.
I purchased both these Classic Vinyl Series records and will be listening to them this Friday. Kevin Grays mastering on this new series is fantastic. I've heard this is the last time the original blue note master tapes will be used.
Like a pleasant informative chat where I don't feel the need to interrupt the flow. Fortunate since it's pre-recorded and all. Thanks!
Happy to say that someone from Optimal has responded to my email and said that they will approach the quality control dept on this issue. Lets hope for the best! The Optimal pressings I had in the pass were mostly amazing! I cleaned both the Blakey and Mobley. They are better now, but still not Mint, between NM and EX (visually VG). I still had to return one because it had additional pressing defects.
I have all the Classic releases. I think they all sound great. None of mine have had any issues. Clean, quite, and flat. I love this series.
The art Blakely moaning has been on my want list for a minute! Dude always like watching your videos always learn something new from you,. I'm not blowing smoke at you or anything but you really do a great job! Peace
thanks to Michael for the inspiration to buy the 22 SRX LPs from Music Matters last month before everything is irrevocably gone. The edition of 300 pieces per LP speaks for itself
I got the classic series of Moaning and was quite surprised how great it sounded. Didn't think it would be that well done. Thanks for your honest review as always Michael
Lovely to see you back Michael 😀. I'll need to give moanin a listen
danke gott...I"ve been suffering withdrawl symptoms.....now for my fix!!
I bought both Classis Series Mobley and Blakey but had to return two different copies of Moanin' because they both had very bad scuffs/scratches on both sides right out of the sleeve. I guess third time is the charm. Finally got an acceptable record. The copy of Mobley I received had minor scuffs, but sounds good. I have bought all of the previous Classic Series releases and this is the first time I had any quality issues like this.
Michael- I have started using Vinyl Solutions sleeves thanks to you and love them. What do use for a record like Analogue Productions 45rpm Ella and Louis, which is a double lp packaged in a single oversized sleeve? I currently only have the 4ml double pocket resealables, so I have both of the records stuffed in the outer pocket. Is that what you do? If not, how would you recommend treating a double lp in in a single sleeve, non-gatefold jacket? Thank you for your time.
Hi Michael. Great episode as usual. In regards to Art Blakey's Moanin', I own two versions. The Blue Note and the Wax Time. I've only listened to the Blue Note and the remastering is top notch. I know Wax Time has a mixed reputation, but I will compare the both versions. Should be interesting. I'll let you know the results.
...just seen to the end... CANT wait for your video with Mazzy. Can you cover the licensing too and crazy "limited" production runs. Thanks Michael
Very good thanks! The Soul Station release is cheap in my country but many negative QC comments are putting me off... Hmm...
Michael awesome comparison I have the a classic Records 200g and music matters 45rpm I missed out on the SRX my only issue with these Classic series pressing issues groove distortion and marks which I encounter with the reissues those SRX going to be at $1000 before you know it every one is collecting vinyl reissues going out of print fast it’s definitely hard to keep up great episode Michael this is very informative. Lovellandrew
It's really interesting that you say this because I have the Bluenote 75th anniversary edition and just bought the new Classic edition mastered by Kevin Gray and thought the new edition would blow it away. To my surprise, they were basically identical (maybe the noise floor on the 75th was a little louder) but pretty much the same... One of my favourite jazz albums of all time btw.
fantastic video
Hi, excellent video!. Congrads!
Michael you metion that the Blue Note Classic Series of Hank Mobley can be found in Germany for 25€. Could you please share with us where? Here in Spain impossible to find any of these Classic Series records for less that 40€.
JPC.de HHV.de Groovesland all German onlineshops
Michael you are correct get them, Wayne Shorter’s Speak no Evil and Lee Morgan’s the Sidewinder in the Bluenote Classic form has sold out quicker than any other Bluenote Classic. Yes they are probably coming back, but no one knows when. They were sold out within the first three weeks. I didn’t wait for the Hank Mobley and Art Blakey, I preordered them.
Thanks again Michael.
Best place for updates and Great Opinions
To start a jazz collection, the blue note classic series is great
Micheal nice shoot out....last nicêwhen I got home from my gig I heard my 2 Blue Notes that were reissued back in 1997 180 gram all analog and they sound great....I never had the chance to buy the Music Matters version even thou I have other titles by them on 45rpm....and you are right if these reissues come out you must buy soon or buy the ones you like and can afford....last week I got some 4 records from Music Matters only heard 2 so far.....fantastic....looking forward with your video with Mazzy....all the best as always....Ed in NYC Brooklyn.....😎🗽🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶
That is nice to hear about the Soul Station reissue! I need that title.
It is also not surprising to hear that the Moanin' SRX came out on top. I have found that even in direct comparison with the regular MM 33 the SRX is more dynamic with the drum fills more fluent and well defined. I don't really understand how this can be because both the SRX and the regular MM 33 should be using the same master. It shouldn't be THAT different?? The Moanin' SRX almost sounds like a different mastering. This is how it is with my copies at least.
Love your videos by the way - I need to find some curtains like that!
I compared my copy of Moanin with my double 45rpm Acoustic Sounds version and I thought the Classic reissue was very close, but the double 45 had more air and space around instruments. For £25 I thought it was excellent. I don’t like what they’ve done with the cover though and interestingly they didn’t include Lee Morgan telling RVG that he comes in real loud on the Classic reissue! Hank Mobley was really very very good too but I don’t have another reissue to compare against. I thought Soul Station was probably the better sounding of the 2
Hi there! I just got the 45rpm of We get Requests... half a day after i got it, the acoustic sounds version of it was announced.. I now wonder if it would be worth the waiting to send back the 45 and get the AS version instead. The cover of the 45 just annoys me a bit
Keep the 45 trust me.....
@@Michael45RPM i guess ill do so then xD thanks!
Great selection
so far I love the Classic Series, however with this delivery both LP jackets had major seam splits. They were packaged well so who knows what happened.
Got the 2 Classic Series a couple weeks ago, I have the same issue with the extreme panning on "Moanin'", although, it's still a great sounding record. Soul Station is on my top 5 favorite jazz records ever, and I totally agree, this edition sounds amazing, I compared it with the 75th edition mastered by Bernie Grundman (I think not AAA), and that one sounds quite different from the new one, more "air"(you hear the reverb more), a little more forward midrange, it stills sounds good, but totally different from the new one. Sadly, I did get an issue on my Soul Station at the end of the last song of side B, there's a weird "laser beam" like sound, it's very short, but still a bummer. I'll get another copy in few months, when there's another pressing. All the best from Chile!
I returned mines and got a second copy. Unfortunately, the issue is present in this copy as well.
@@visu4239 that's why I took a refund from amazon and will order again when another batch is available
i have the first 8 titles in the series, so far my pressings have been clean, the only issues i've had is 5 titles with dishing.
henderson - minor dish
horace silver - flat
McCoy - minor dish
Morgan Sidewinder - flat
wayne shorter - flat
cannonball adderly - very dished
blakey moan' - dished
mobley soul station - very dished
Both Soul Station and Moanin' arrived extremely scuffed. Moanin' looked like someone had rubbed it with a light sandpaper. I was really disappointed, as I was looking forward to Moanin' more than anything else in the Classic Series. I preordered both of these through Music Direct the day they went on sale. MD was great about being willing to exchange, but I have to wait until they do another pressing, as they have no copies to currently exchange for the records I sent back. I'm really disappointed, especially as everything else in the series has been outstanding up until this point. Thank you for your observations, Michael. I learn so much from your channel.
Good to know that Soùl station is tip top👌
Today my local dealer handled me out my Classic-Series-Albums no. 13 to no. 15! One of them was Moanin by Blakey. I ordered 17 albums of this serie in December 2021. I don't get the issues some people complain about pressing qualitiy etcetc.! All of my LPs are in fantastic quality and they sound absolutely great! Even if the SRX might sound better the bluenote classic is still a steal and compared to the originals sounds better (I have originals of Moanin, meet you at the jazz corner and something else.)
Two brilliant, brilliant albums. But yes, the problem is do we put up with the inconsistent quality (sometimes mastering but more often questionable pressing quality) of the classic series or pay somewhere between highly inflated (when first released) to ridiculous prices (once sold out) for the SXR versions. I have Dexter Gordon's fantastic One Flight Up on preorder (my first Tone Poet) and I'm just hoping RTI's pressing quality is up to the level of the music on the album.
Just ordered Soul Station yesterday, good to know its the closest since I dont have that one on MMJ. I should have got a Moanin MMJ for 100$ when I had the chance.
I was just able to find a sealed copy of the Analogue Productions 45 rpm 2 lp limited numbered edition from 2008 mastered at Acoustech by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman which has the same cover as the SRX. I felt very fortunate in finding it and bought it over the SRX because it was $224 delivered versus almost $400 for the SRX. It came all the way from Istanbul, Turkey and made it here (northern NH, USA) in less than 72 hours!!
I wish I could compare to the SRX, but alas never will be able to. It sure does sound fantastic, and most definitely destroys the classic Blue Note Series that is available now. Has anyone out there heard this version in comparison to others? Thank You!
Thanks for this great video
Good to hear about Soul Station. Moaning is my favorite jazz recording and I just didn’t like the cover. In both cases, I’ve heard that there are problems with the releases so I’m going to pass on them.
I'm glad for you that you have ended up with great copies. I'm also thinking about purchasing a "Vinyl Flat", getting very tired of receiving dished records, many dished records. Hopefully this will be a safe solution, especially with my Led Zeppelin III 200g Classic. Ok, I'm done with my rant, thanks.
Michael, have you heard either of these titles in mono? Moanin' in particular, i like the mono better.
No i have not but of course would love to do
I have moanin" as the "NY mono" from 1962 and the "Soul Station" as the "Classic records" from 2004. Both classic series are more natural. The 62 moanin is great but maybe a little overplayed but with more dynamic.
The 2004 classic record reissue is in my opinion to harsh in the top ends.
The comparison between the mono and stereo versions are a not really comparable because I use different turntables and cartridges (kuzma with shelter for mono // rega pl8 with Apheta2 for stereo).
I would Start to buy the classic series - great value.
Grüße
What's up!!!
Michael, I hope you haven’t been ill, you don’t look well. Take care of yourself and stop drinking out of wet glasses. As for jazz....
Felt the same way about these classic titles. McCoy was the biggest disappointment for me in the series, but these two sound amazing. I have both as 70s blue label blue notes, pristine, they feel more punchy but not so detailed and clear. Kevin Gray knocked it out of the park.
I’m quite pleased.
And this time they came is plastic inner sleeves, not paper
Another honest and great video as always, Michael. Just wondering because you didn’t touch the point here; do you know why the Classic series didn’t use the original cover of Moanin’? I think that is also a clear difference when compared with the MMJ cover art.
I have no Idea Ric sorry
@@Michael45RPM No worries. I actually found the answer in one of the comments here. Aparrently, it is has to do with the stereo/mono covers. It seems the Classic series actually got it right.
Had a bad experience with my Hank Mobley. Record was still sealed but when opened it had several scuff marks and actually jumped on side 2.
The SRX and BN Classics are not really substitutes and that's probably part of why the price for the SRXs would go up, because people are seeing that the BN Classics are great, but will not replace them. The prospect of any BN Classics giving an SRX a run for a money is an exceptional feat of ingenuity and care, which sounds like was achieved at least for the Soul Station and Sidewinder, and not so far off for a couple of the others! So I love BN Classics, for the price and the accessibility... at the same time, I would totally pay $35 instead of $25 to get these top tier jazz classics over to the Tone Poets level of production at least. I wish they would all just be Tone Poets.
Thanks for the video, great to have this comparisons, got both SRXs so I’m skipping classic series versions
Not sure it's essential to compare different pressings of the same stereo version. I think if you have the SRX version, the interesting comparison for some of these earlier titles is with a mono cut. Mono vs Stereo is the more significant decision.
OH MY GOODNESS!!
Michael...You are so correct in your assessment!!
What a huge difference between these two pressings of Moanin'!!
I am assuming your SRX sounds as good as the one I was able to get.
The new classic Blue Note does not even come close to the the 2008 one I've got.
I don't know if it because the master tape is older or?? Kevin Gray was involved with both.
Not that the new one is 'bad', but the other is simply in a different league of musical experience while listening.
Thanks very much for your video!,
Michel
Thx Michael :-)
Kind of glad (well, kind of!) to see I am not the only one to have some issues with the BN Classics reissues. My worst experience has to be with Horace Silver Song for my Father. The best track on the record (at least for me) Lonely Woman which is a beautiful ballad was full hisses, pops and tics on the 3 copies I got and now I'm stuck with a deficient LP since the record seems to be sold out. A huge bummer! I had the same experience with Moanin' but at least my second copy is listenable. As for Soul Station, the record itself plays decently but the cover was thrashed! (split at the seams, bent corners, etc.) Dunno what's going on with that series (mass production = poor quality control!?!), at least here in America (I live in Montreal... which is also the reason for my poor english!). Anyway, sorry for the bitching Michael cause I really like your channel and your soothing presence. Peace people!
Where do you order your classic series from? Mine sounded very good, but all were scuffed in a way or another.
With all respect but cant say same about BN Classic series, at least based on Somethin' Else record, which I dont find to be at the same level as AP, MM or Classic Records. These giants are totally differ leage. The only thing that makes this BN on same level is the pressing quality, which is fantastic on my record, but thats it. Other than that, more I listen to Somethin' Else from BN classic series, less I like it. So, no wonder MM prices are going up. Personally, I am disapointed and doubting about getting more of BN Classic series that are comming soon.
On the other hand, interesting to hear your comment that Hank Mobley is very close to MM version, which make me wonder how Somethin' Else from MM will sound against BN, can you compare these Michael, would be great to hear your opinion. Thx Sergei.
Not sure if anyone gives a damn but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new movies on Instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks :)
@Brecken Gannon yup, have been watching on Instaflixxer for years myself =)
Michael, have you ever compared the Analogue Productions 45 rpm reissue of Moanin to the Music Matters SRX version?
I have both from jpc.de - clean and flat!
I've been through 4 copies of Moanin' and 2 copies of Soul Station, still no luck with a clean copy
That is Bad!11
They didn’t even use the correct Art work for this Classic series release 🤷🏻♂️
For Moanin'? Blue Note did two different artwork covers, one for Stereo and one for Mono, the Classic Series cover art is correct for the Stereo version. Very early original stereo copies used the same mono art, with an applied gold "stereo" sticker, (Somthin' Else is another tile with that stereo sticker) Later stereo copies of Moanin' have the revised art. The Music Matters Moanin' uses the mono jacket, even though they used the stereo cut.
@@derosa1989 strange, my Music Matters 33rpm Stereo has the original mono artwork
@@LagunaRider1961 An original early pressed stereo copy would have had the gold "stereo" sticker attached to a mono jacket, i think that's what MMJ were going for by using the mono cover, like the very first Moanin' stereo pressing. This was standard Blue Note practice in the transition from Mono to Stereo. Many of the early Stereo titles came out months or more later than the original mono, the early stereo copies would just take a mono jacket and put on the "stereo" sticker. The most obvious way to tell if they redesigned the art for the new Stereo release is the catalog number starts with "8", So the mono Moanin' has catalog number 4003 and stereo jacket is 84003.
My Blue Note Classic Series copy of Moanin' (bought this week - January 2024) had several, brief 'crunch' sounds on the left channel throughout side one. Very unpleasant. Disc looks fine visually and a nice, flat pressing apart from that. It's going back though because I'm not that impressed with the sound on this release, which sounds a little harsh and lacks warmth on my midrange system.
Please!
Do not get involved in these ridiculously priced re-issues that are being offered by record Flippers, there are lots of great Audiophile records out there from AP, Speakers Corner, SAM records, Tone Poet and many more, all at sensible prices, so there is no need to line (Flippers) pockets with their insane valuations.
Disappointed with MOANIN'
Pre ordered from AMAZON jacket had creases on the bottom corners and it look like it was thrown around in a parking lot.
Scuffs scratches looked like someone used sandpaper on the vinyl
Returned the album back to AMAZON
Got my second copy jacket was perfect ( don't like the art work original much better)
Vinyl was just as bad no improvement
Returned it again to AMAZON this time they refused to send me a third copy got a refund
Won't be ordering anymore BLUE NOTE CLASSIC SERIES
Its funny Michael how you always seem to get lucky and get nice clean flat records when most of us receive the same albums warped and/or scuffed...Not sure you’re always 100% honest...Don’t worry, I still like your channel.
Frank - was für Hüllen benutzt Du denn?
Habe da 4 Videos gemacht schau ein fach mal durch
Let me guess before i watch, whatever gazillion dollar unobtainium version is the best and the other one is garbage.
Exactly
first!
Tried 2 copies of the Blakey and 1 Mobley and the pressings are horrible, not sure what's going on. The other Classic Series albums are fine, the 80 series pressings were fine? Interesting, this seems to be happening with the introduction to the poly lined inner sleeves? Looks like they were wiped with burlap or steel wool. Also there are parts of the record that have a ripping sound which is often the "string of pearls" pressing defect. Is it possible that Amazon receives the defective vinyl from Optimal? Does Optimal have more than one pressing plant? I wrote to Optimal, I hope they look into this. It would be a shame that poor pressings would keep me from continuing this series.
Heard a lot of this, as i said i was extremely lucky with my copies
I also have these problems with my copies from Amazon! Really strange! I was also wondering whether Amazon is receiving the worst copies!