Question about Masters of Jazz

[TheMusicalMarine]

While aware that this label is now defunct/not producing, I notice a fair amount of copies used online. Can someone explain what the label was about, if it's something similar to Chronological Classics, and if they're worth picking up?

Thanks

[Brad]

They're very definitely worth picking up. The difference is that they had alternative takes on their cd and impeccable lengthy detailed liner notes. CC only has master takes and about a half page of intro notes.

[TheMusicalMarine]

Thanks, Brad.

[jazzbo]

Well, not JUST alternates, but also material recorded live, material never released commercially live and studio, etc.

FANTASTIC series of discs. Their demise is lamented still!

[brownie]

The Masters of Jazz CD series was modeled as the equivalent of the prestigious La Pleiade collection of books from the French publishers Gallimard.

The Le Pleiade books collection which started in the '30s and is still going strong aimed to have complete editions of most of the important writers.

The ModJ CDs had covers that were also modeled along the stark white covers of the La Pleiade volumes (it's in French, sorry for non-French readers):

http://www.gallimard.fr/collections/pleiade.htm

And while they were in existence, they tried - and usually succeeded - to include everything that was available by the musicians they compiled editions of.

That they did not maintain sufficient sales to get on with their intentions is a disaster of its kind!

There is no equivalent to them.

Not only were they very complete, they also took great care with the remasterings and liner notes.

Too bad they did not succeed!

Edited April 2, 2005 by brownie

[LAL]

And their booklets are a great resource in that they actually list the order of the soloist in each song. In some cases, I couldn't for the life of me figure out who is playing, so this helps tremendously.

[bertrand]

Philippe Baudoin, who was behind this series, is one of the most brilliant scholars of jazz history from all periods. He's a great guy to boot.

Bertrand.