Mosaics

[sidewinder]

  wesbed said:

I do own the Stanley Turrentine Mosaic. I've read, numerous times, how McMaster somehow, mysteriously, lessened the quality of Turrentine's sound. Again, I don't hear it. The Turrentine Mosaic sounds very good to my ears.

Great to hear it ! This set is currently winging its way to me.

[tranemonk]

  John Tapscott said:

  Jazz Kat said:

Can someone give me a real good point, for buying/owning a Mosaic. Or lemme say it this way. Why do you love Mosaics so much.

Simply, because I love jazz music and in any one Mosaic set you get hours of great jazz! I enjoy losing myself for hours in the music and the notes of a Mosaic box set. I don't have time to do it as often as I would like, but when I do, it's wonderful. You love jazz, you gotta love Mosaic. I know it's simplistic, but that's it.

I am currently listening to my recently purchased Elvin Jones Mosaic and I cannot speak highly enough about this set! I knew it would be fine, but it's GREAT! Exceeds my expectations, even though I had heard at least half of the music before. Excellent sound.

AHA!!!! That's why I have 20 sets...

thank you sir...

[Claude]

I can understand Jazz Kat's question, because there is an irrational aura around Mosaic sets. Some people buy 8CD Mosaic sets of music they would not consider (even a single CD) if it was released on a different label.

Four Freshmen

Edited April 7, 2005 by Claude

[tranemonk]

  Claude said:

I can understand Jazz Kat's question, because there is an irrational aura around Mosaic sets. Some people buy 8CD Mosaic sets of music they would not consider (even a single CD) if it was released on a different label.

Four Freshmen

Count Basie...

But Boy am I ever glad I did..

[Dave James]

It's not often in this day and age that one can afford the very best. I know Mosaics are expensive, but they are, simply, the very best. Nothing else comes close.

Up over and out.

[Fran]

  Dave James said:

It's not often in this day and age that one can afford the very best. I know Mosaics are expensive, but they are, simply, the very best. Nothing else comes close.

Up over and out.

Amen - the very best - but I don't agree with the idea that they are expensive. At 16 bucks a copy they are not much more expensive than many others and no more expensive than some. And NO ONE gives you the well researched and authoritative booklet that you get from Mosaic.

[ghost of miles]

  Jazz Kat said:

I guess I haven't been hooked yet.

Go ahead, kid, try one! Find out for yerself what the fuss is all about. Don't believe the crazy stuff you hear from older ex-heads... or what they say in those health textbooks, either.

Good thing Mosaic doesn't offer a "free taste." B-)

[sidewinder]

They very nearly used to with the sampler CD but I think its now OOP..

Has no-one mentioned the home furnishing angle with the black boxes yet?

[neveronfriday]

Besides all the arguments listed above, there is that one factor that pushed me over the edge. It is that inexplicable collector thing, you know, the gotta-have- factor.

The ones I have - and I don't have a fraction of what other members have amassed - are boxes to be treasured, things you can show off to people who DON'T HAVE THEM - - - HA! - and an investment that says "money well spent".

I collect books as well. Mosaic boxes have the same qualities as some of my favourite limited edition books. Most importantly, Mosaic boxes are made by people who care and by people who know their stuff. I'd rather buy boxes from those people than from outfits who cram CDs in boxes which are too tight or into boxes which start to rust while you're looking at them.

Mosaic cares.

[sidewinder]

Great post . Couldn't have said it better.

[Brad]

It's hard for me to add anything to what's been said. I have about 50 or so and they're just great to have with all the takes, the books, the box, etc. Quality control is impeccable and customer service second to none. If you buy one, it's all over, little kitten. Go ahead and do it.

Re the Turrentine or the LD set, I'm not that fanatic about sound as issues as others but I don't see anything wrong with the sound. Seems fine to me.

I've actually thinned my collection a little bit. Had the Brooks Lp set but since I had the cds, I decided to dispense with it. There are a few others that I don't listen to too much and that I might dispense with but very few.

A good example of something that you can't get elsewhere this the Master Jazz Piano set of solo work. One of the best Mosaics ever.

[Jazz Kat]

  Soulstation1 said:

jazz kat

i guess you missed out on the lee morgan set,  morgan / shorter set and the blakey set......

pick em up, if you see em

I sent you two pms about our trade, and am still waiting for a reply. It's usually customary when one recieves their part of a trade to say that it arrived safely. I did, and am still waiting for a response. On that note, thank you, and I'm loving them every minute!

Edited April 7, 2005 by Jazz Kat

[Dave James]

Fran,

I agree that at $16 for each disc, Mosaics are a bargain. They aren't even asking as much as many other labels ask for individual CD's. However, "expensive" enters into the equation because you can't buy CD's from Mosaic one at a time. That means for an average sized set of, say, six discs, $96 heads out the door, and all at once.

Up over and out.

Edited April 7, 2005 by Dave James

[PHILLYQ]

  neveronfriday said:

Besides all the arguments listed above, there is that one factor that pushed me over the edge. It is that inexplicable collector thing, you know, the gotta-have- factor.

The ones I have - and I don't have a fraction of what other members have amassed - are boxes to be treasured, things you can show off to people who DON'T HAVE THEM - - - HA! - and an investment that says "money well spent".

I collect books as well. Mosaic boxes have the same qualities as some of my favourite limited edition books. Most importantly, Mosaic boxes are made by people who care and by people who know their stuff. I'd rather buy boxes from those people than from outfits who cram CDs in boxes which are too tight or into boxes which start to rust while you're looking at them.

Mosaic cares.

That says it quite well. Welcome to the board Neveronfriday

[clandy44]

I've actually thinned my collection a little bit. Had the Brooks Lp set but since I had the cds, I decided to dispense with it.

Brad: Funny how we have gone in different directions. I bought the Tina lps recently although I had all of his albums on cd. What I have come to realize in recent years is that Mosaic vinyl sounds much better to my not-so-sophisticated ears than cds, and thus I have enjoyed listening to the Tina lps. In fact, I recently just upgraded my turntable (bought but not yet had time to put in operation) so I could continue to pick up and enjoy lps. Of course, I am paying for this folly (not buying the Mosaic lps when they are were available from Mosaic) but then it seems worth it to me.

[Jazz Kat]

I hope they come out with a Three Sounds Mosaic. I can ONLY hope.

[tranemonk]

  Jazz Kat said:

I hope they come out with a Three Sounds Mosaic. I can ONLY hope.

that would be awesome...

[tranemonk]

  AfricaBrass said:

  Guy Berger said:

That said, the recent trend toward Selects is to my liking and there are also a few of the big boxes that I want to get.

I really like the Selects too!

I think it was a great move on Mosaic's part.

I think I'm the only one who's not real fond of the Selects....

I've go about 5 or 6 of them (Hill, Gordon, Carmell Jones, Dizzy Reece, Pepper and the Curtis Amy)... The only one I LOVE is the Art Pepper... and the Jones, Reece and Gordon sets are good... The Hill and Amy sets I do not like....

Overall though.... I guess it's better for Mosaic to put them out as Selects than not at all....

but so far I found it a little disappointing...

[neveronfriday]

  PHILLYQ said:

Welcome to the board Neveronfriday

Thanks, nice to be here ... although it's this board's fault that I spend too much of my hard-earned money.

[Jazz Kat]

  tranemonk said:

  Jazz Kat said:

I hope they come out with a Three Sounds Mosaic. I can ONLY hope.

that would be awesome...

Then we wouldn't have to waste all that money on those Japanese imports that cost over 17 bucks, although in the final outcome it wouldn't be wasted, but you know what I mean. The Sounds are in need of one! More than most, because of how their albums have been reissued over the years.